On The Brink Of Full-Fledged Spring

Early morning is my favorite time to walk the pasture and venture into the wooded area behind our home. It is also the best time to revel in the cacophony of birds singing and woodpeckers busily hammering away at dead trees. At dawn, it is always possible that I might spot one of the red foxes trotting along the trail between our canyon and the pecan orchard, or perhaps catch Daisy deer still lingering about in the woodlands below our house, nibbling on cat brier or wild honeysuckle as she makes her way into the pecan orchard and on to the river for the day. And, most every morning, a group of squirrels can be found under Daisy’s corn feeder, scarfing up kernels of corn she left scattered on the ground.

The sun peeks through a dismal sky.

Most folks around here use chemical to get rid of Henbit, but I find its lavender hues beautiful and the deer love to graze on it, not to mention Henbit attracts a lot of butterflies.

One morning this past week, a heavy fog shrouded the area, creating a mystical wonderland. For me, fog creates a kind of quiet that helps me to focus on landscapes, rather than closeups of images in front of me. I also love that the misty event offers me the challenge of working with depth and contrast in subdued light. And, in foggy or overcast conditions, I do not have to worry about shadows or overexposure in my images.

On this particular morning, I was busy cleaning up breakfast dishes, attending to squirrel feedings, and getting our dogs set up with medications for the day, so I missed the heaviest fog conditions. Unfortunately, by the time I ventured out with my camera, the fog was lifting. With my photography, this happens to me far too often – I let too much time slip by and I miss the moment – a reminder that nature waits for no one.

A young Redbud Tree blossoms lavender, while the Red Currant Shrub offers a yellow flower, and a very old Quince Shrub bears a brilliant red blossom.

In full blossom, one of several Purple Leaf Redbud trees lining our driveway.

The willowy branches of the Ornamental Redbud are quite lovely, laden in spring pink!

It is this time of early spring in Oklahoma, when the sleepy earth awakens from its winter slumber and Nature comes alive, and our surroundings change quickly. Within days, the metamorphosis from barren and lifeless to green and flourishing unfolds. And if we are not paying attention, we can easily miss the moment.

This woodland blossom will produce some kind of fruit the shape of an apricot… but the fruits are snatched up by birds before I can determine just what the fruit is!

Our peach tree is loaded with blossoms this year. So far we have avoided frost or a late freeze this spring… maybe we will have fruit this summer!

The pear trees are four years old now and this is the first year they have put off blossoms! Daisy deer loves pears – I wonder if she will leave us a few…

I think what I love most about being a farm girl, is the opportunity to spend time outdoors, doing the work I love. Working outside, I do not miss out on much in nature. And, spending time in nature is, for me, a sensory thing… I feel, see, touch, and hear the movement of life, and of time.

When was the last time you allowed fog to envelope you as daylight emerged? Have you ever taken the opportunity to purposefully stand in the rain, just to feel the cool drops on your face? When was the last time you stood outside and experienced the wonder of a formidable storm front as it moved in? What about your last close encounter with a wild creature?  If it has been a while, I hope you will take time to experience nature this spring. I believe that such experiences can take you to, and beyond, the brink of full-fledged living!

Decades ago, FD’s Grandmother planted daffodil bulbs and iris rhizomes all around the perimeter of the old house. As a result, we see a blanket of color from our living room windows during the spring. Right now the view is yellow with daffodil, but soon the multi-colored iris will be in full bloom. It will become a sea of color!

© 2015 Day by Day the Farm Girl Way…