Nature Within - Cherish The Moment: May 2015

Nature, Add Sunshine, & Warm Spring Rains

Equals A Bit Of Heaven

Winter is only a faint memory, has taken leave, Spring has sprung. Trees are in leaf,
Flowers take front growing attraction.

Each day brings a new surprise, a new bloom, a new look.

Chickens free to wonder during the day and return to their coop at night.

Here they line the path down to the horse barn. The chicken coop runs along back of them in the pictures.

Chickens now are in free range which means they are free of the large outside pen that held them captive all winter. Easy to find refuge from hawks flying over, having full occupation of the many garden's bushes and trees which they scurry under for protection.

The eggs they lay each day are deep gold now from all the greens, bugs, and anything else a chicken would eat.

The Crab-apple trees have many colors.

Light pink in front of a dark purple line the path to the potting shed.

Here in Wisconsin we have late frosts up until the end of May. If they are bad enough to freeze the blossom the fruit will not develop.

Leaving the trees empty during the winter months for the hungry birds.

We go from mid 80's in the daytime to low 20's at night.

The trees do not bloom all at the same time, giving us long range gorgeous color throughout May.

The rock garden we have was ablaze with color. The daffodils shown on the picture are now done, just a few tulips still hold the only color.

Hostas have pushed their way up and taken over the show. All sizes and colors are usually a duller cream yellow or white either showing as variegation or on the edges of the leaves during the hot days of summer. Greens, soft yellows and whites bring a coolness to the garden. Two fountains sounds, bring a gentle relaxing serene atmosphere. At this moment the looks are alive, pronounced, drawing me to the area after a days work in the yard or barn.

Another view of the rockgarden, see the Hostas pushing their way up and taking the main attention. The Daffodils pointy leaves remain and will eventually dry up and disappear, giving the garden a peaceful restful look. The back of the girl statue, shows her standing next to the pond. Further up in the picture is a girl statue holding a vase which fountains water back down to the pond.

The Daffodils are nearing finish blooming and the Hosta is already pushing its way up through them.

I had no idea the daffodils were in this place when I planted the Hosta there. The Daffodils were in their dormancy below ground, but they blend so prettily together as the Daffodils recede and dry up while the Hosta will keep increasing in size to full growth.

Another Hosta pushes its way through the remaining Daffodils leaves and also between old tulip leave that never blossom anymore.

This Hosta is almost yellow and called St. Elmo's Fire.

It is small so far. I just purchased it last year.

This Hosta holds its subtle look with lots of color. The green not only lining the edge but streaking the middle of the leaf also.

This area was not weeded yet. With 2 acres of perennial gardens it is so hard to have them all in shape at one time. Good thing we are so isolated way back here in the country, no one sees them but me and Dick most times. Friends and family do not mind weeds, but are like me over looking them and seeing the beautiful plants instead.

The Orioles are back from their winter grounds which are
further South from here. The male holds a deep
golden color accented with an intense black, making
it a stunning sight.

We use to see this bird only flying way up on the tips of the trees branches, where they often have a swing nest for their young ones.

Now we put out a feeder of Grape Jelly containers. The male along with his female mate whose color is very dull but similar markings of her partner, are coming to our feeder often during the day. They are very flighty birds so make their trip fast and off they go again to the tips of the many trees we have around here.

The oriole nest swinging in the breeze. This picture is from a couple years
ago. The nest hung there even into the winter, of course empty by then,

Tulips come in so many colors and shapes. The yellow cream of this tulip
is accented with the green stripe. Blending perfectly by its Creator our
Great God.

Perot Tulip is very large and tall. It is just starting to open.
It usually shows me that spring's grand display of
spring bulbs is coming to a close. Peonies, Daises
and numerous others will follow the Spring show of bulbs
which were planted last October - November months.

This medium size Iris is called Peppy Long-stockings. I love the name
and love the flower even more. The Iris are just starting to bloom.

Below in picture Luke joins me in the blessed warm weather we now are having in Wisconsin. This is the path that goes in between 6 lovely blooming Crab-apple trees, up the hill to the potting shed. He is on a 20 foot thin lead line so he can explore but not roam out of my sight. He loves the chance to sniff all the wild areas we keep that way to give the wild life an ideal living area. The metal gate and trellis on both sides Dick made for me. It opens into the Birdhouse garden in the lower garden.