The wildflowers seem very slow this spring, even though the snow left earlier than some years but apparently the flowers are like me wanting warmer and sunnier spring days. The was a big delay between the first wildflower until the bloodroots finally emerged.
Season First Bloodroots
Listening to the cold rain falling this evening made me feel chilled even in a warm house. These log buildings looked like they are chinked well so they may be able to keep the damp winds out and warm inside from the fireplace. These buildings were the living quarters for married enlisted men at Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor, Michigan which was built in 1844.
Married Enlisted Soldiers Quarters
Many people are scrambling to finish their taxes today, even though they had three extra days to file them. The April 15 filing date was pushed later because the 15th and Emancipation Day landed on the weekend which extended the filing date.
My tree frog, ‘Mr. Linty’, was ’emancipated’ although I am not sure my unexpected and unusual house pet was real thrilled with his re-entry to the outdoors since now he won’t have flies delivered to his indoor home which made it easy for him to catch his dinner. His indoor apartment, lined with moss even had a swimming pond. The last check this evening found him on the outside porch wall just above the lip of his container so he hasn’t wandered too far yet.
Linty’s Emancipation
Although this clump of blue color was found in my woods, it is not a wildflower, but another ‘escapee’ which used to be planted near my house. None exist by the house now, but a few Snow Glories are scattered around the lawn too. They must be celebrating Emancipation Day now that they free from the original bed. The Emancipation Day celebrated in Washington DC marks the anniversary of the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act, which president Abraham Lincoln signed on April 16, 1862. It is annually held on April 16 but the holiday this year is observed on today instead.
Freed Snow Glories
Children may have been in search of colorful Easter eggs today, but other colorful creations can be found in the evening sky.
Range of Colors
The wildflowers may be slow in emerging this spring, but other bulb plants are providing some spring color like the blue from the Siberian Squill, which has become an invasive species in the area.
Siberian Squill
The sun only appeared only for a short time today, but there was one small sunny circle on my lawn today. The first dandelion is another sign spring is trying to arrive even with the cloudy and cold days.
The First Dandelion
Even though it was another cloudy day, another sign spring appeared this morning with a new batch of kittens. But newborn kittens aren’t cute, not even later, like these, when their eyes open. It isn’t until they start playing and exploring that they become real cute, but then they grow up and lose their ‘cuteness’.
Batch of Kittens
A chipmunk was spending a lot of time on my porch this evening. I suppose it was a dry spot out of the cold rain. A barn would provide a warm dry spot too for other critters, including bigger ones than my chipmunks and squirrels.
Dry Barns
The robins definitely got their tails snowed on again since the ground was covered in that cold white stuff this morning. But by noon, the snow had melted although the cloudy day kept the temperatures colder. I still have only found two little blossoms open in the woods even though trillium leaves are poking up but the bloodroots are absent. I did find a lot of yellow trout lily (or adder’s tongue) leaves, but not a single pretty yellow blossom open.
Yellow Trout Lily
