Category: Nature

Spring is blooming all around us. As we have been walking around with the kids we like to teach them the names of some of the flowers we walk past. Somethings like Sweet Williams are really just common garden flowers, but they hold special childhood memories for me. They always make me think of my mom. We have some Common Sage that we planted last year as an annual, but wintered over and is a beautiful bush.

We decided to go on a bug safari today. I couldn’t get a picture of everything we say, but I did get a few.

I know Fox Squirrels are not everyone’s favorite thing to have around the house, but I love them. While we also have Red Squirrels and Gray Squirrels running around there is something special about the big lazy Fox Squirrel.

Tonight, while on our family walk, we discovered some mutant dandelions. We had the perfect combination of the school not mowing the lawn, and the dandelions going to seed. We noticed the stem of one of the dandelions was actually a fusion of two.

April is a great time for flying kites. While it was still a little cool, we had a nice breeze. The sun also helped make it seem warmer.

On today’s walk the kids found a Garter snake. First, I was proud of the kids for seeing it on their own. Second, I was proud that they kept their distance while looking at it, while not reacting with fear. It is nice to know that they actually listen. We got a great view of this cool reptile. After we gave it a little room, it went from the lawn to the woods. The kids really wanted to follow, but they restrained themselves.

There is an old saying, “April showers, bring May flowers.” Often, the spring flowers don’t want to wait until May. Bloodroot, Spring beauty, Marsh marigold, bittercress and Skunk Cabbage are poking their heads through the soil. I hope Yellow trout lily, and White Trillium will not not be far behind. Most of these plants just peek out in ones and twos. They are more stunning because of their rarity.