Spring Not Quite the Same

This year we are missing what has become one of my favorite springtime activities.  Seeing the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. had always been on my "bucket list."  So, it is not hard to imagine that that was one of the early outings we made when we moved to Delaware.  We have been three times and have been planning for this year's blossoms but because of Bill's surgery last week we will not make the visit this year.  We could go next week but they will have peaked by then.  We will go over later in the month and see the azaleas at the National Arboretum.  There are so many beautiful sites to see and many, like the cherry blossoms and the azaleas are to viewed over and over.  I have gotten to where I anticipate them like Christmas or the first crocus of springtime.

We are not going to the Tidal Basin this year to see the blossoms so I thought I would show a photo from each of the last three years.  The top picture was taken March 30, 2009.  It was a gray and rainy day but there were periodic rays of sunshine and the blossoms were still beautiful.  That trip was about three days prior to the peak.  (Note:  Each of the links for the last three years is but one of multiple postings for each trip.)

The next picture was on March 31, 2008.  It started out as an overcast day and was it ever cold.  That was a good thing because the blossoms were very close to peak then. 

 

The last photo was taken on April 2, 2007.  It was our first viewing of the cherry blossoms.  I was awe-struck by the beauty.  It wa also a perfect spring day.  Not only were blossoms beautiful but people were beautiful -- friendly, courteous and appreciative. 

Yes, I will miss the blossoms in person this year.  You can be sure we will be there next year.  In the meantime, I will be checking webcams and other postings to this year's version.

Still the Weather

This blog was never intended to be just about the weather. But, the weather of this winter has made it so. Today started with beautiful clear blue skies. Now, wispy white clouds are being taken over by gray ones. There is another front coming through and it promises to drop even more snow on us. I have always like snow in DECEMBER and hated it in January. I want you to know that no matter how beautiful some days are to see I despise snow in February when crocus are supposed to be poking their heads through the cold ground. That is not here in Delaware. Not this year anyway.

This season's storms have brought this region to an almost standstill. Schools have not been in session over a week. And, the week prior to that many schools were closed two days and most had early dismissals. Businesses were closed and folks have developed extreme cases of Cabin Fever. We have not had trash collection for two weeks. Today the neighborhood garbage cans poised for pick-up. I wonder when and if it will happen. Hurray!!! The trash collectors just made a pass down our street. YES!! Some normalcy is returning.

I am posting some pictures I took from last Wednesday (Feb 10) through yester (Feb 14). You can see some of what we have observed. (click on pictures for larger view)

Birds congregating on neighbor's dormer.  On this day (2/10) it was the favored meeting place.

 

 

Above, the snow just kept coming and the wind seemed never to stop.  The picture of the lamppost  was taken just after the driveway had been cleared.  The drifted snow is of the driveway not long afterward.  The photo to left is of the wreath bow on the bront door.

Cold little bluebird seeking some sunlight.

 Turning his back to the wind.  These pics taken through paned window screen.

And, then yesterday, there was a heron in the half-frozen pond.

    Here's to brighter, warmer winter days.

Skipped January

Never have I been a fan of January. I care little if anything transpires in January. That is probably quite evident by the attention not paid to this blog. Well, it is now February and the days are getting longer. It is after 5:00 p.m. and it is not completely dark yet. That is a very good thing. But, not much has happened or going on so far in February. We have spent most of the last five days bemoaning the abundance of snow that has come and is forecasted to continue to come and blanket us here. The natives are restless. School has been cancelled or delayed all week. Looks like a pretty ordinary snow scene to me. Friends in the west would surely laugh at the inactivity here in this snow. I wonder if I will ever get used to the differences in climate.

Saturday it snowed a bundle here. It was lovely powder and reminded me of Idaho winters. The guess-timators say we got 10 inches. That must be pretty close because in places it was above my knees. We ventured out on Sunday. We drove south to Ocean City, Maryland and turned around shortly after entering Maryland because the roads had not been cleared there. We then drove through Rehoboth Beach and then to Cape Henlopen State Park where folks were sledding and cross-country skiing. Many accesses to the beaches were closed because of the snow and possibly to discourage folks from sledding on the dunes. We enjoyed getting out and seeing the area in a different light.

Snowy roads at Cape Henlopen

Cold seagulls at Lewes Beach

On Monday, I drove to the Broadkill Beach area and to the Prime Hook Wild Life Refuge. What a surprise to see so few birds. This is where we have seen hundreds and hundreds of snow geese before and there were just a few this day. It was not that cold but the fowl had obviously sought different places to shield themselves from the foul weather. I was able to capture a few photos of on the outing including some of the geese and seagull enjoying the sunshine at Wagamons Pond.

A few snow geese

A gazillion other birds

Cold seagulls on Wagamons Pond