Tuesday's Treasures #7

Today's treasure is of a very different sort than previous posts.

The treasure here is the return each spring of blossoms appearing from bulbs planted in years past.

These crocus appeared in bloom in the Perennial Garden outside my bedroom window.

I was totally surprised because there had been no hint of green or buds before Monday.  Then in the warmth of the day they appeared.

The pond too brought out a surprise on Monday.  Above it barely looks like its out of winter let alone time for spring.  But the creatures knew otherwise and the chorus started on Monday afternoon for a very short while.

I spotted the lone singer.

Treasures of a different sort, yet valued each spring.

Linking to Tuesday Treasures.

A Sunday Walk

Columbia, Maryland is a planned community dating back to the 1970s.  It's downtown is centered around Lake Kittamaqundi - a manmade lake.

Sunday was a lovely day so after church we had a slice of pizza at Whole Foods and then walked around the lake.

Here's a view from the Whole Foods eating area.

The symbol of Columbia is the people tree.

The lake was brown from runoff.

Lots of restaurants border the lake on the westside.

Looking toward the east side as a woman tried to photograph the seagulls.

There were some surprising signs of spring.

From the eastside looking west.

Below is the former Rouse Building.  James Rouse was the developer/visionary for Columbia.  Eventually the Rouse Company was bought out by another company or two and headquarters no longer needed in Columbia.  It sat vacant for many years until Whole Foods bought it.

The store occupies one floor and there are other endeavors in the rest of the space.

It was a nice walk and reconnection to Columbia where we lived for 30+years before building this house in the woods.

Joining Through My Lens and Our World Tuesday.

Former Church - Glenwood, MD

A decorating business now occupies this lovely former church.

Joining Inspired Sunday.

Signs of Spring 2016

I took a walk to the bottom of the driveway on Thursday morning.  

There are signs that Spring is coming!

Down at the bottom of the driveway the snow is melting more slowly but green is appearing where daffodils are pushing up.

The wetlands doesn't get much sun but the snow is retreating there.

Looking from the bottom of the driveway across the wetlands the driveway going up the hill is clear of snow.

The moss and grass are greening.

The ferns stand out in contrast to the drab brown of the earth.

Something is there along the edge of the creek.

First signs of the skunk cabbage.

Here's the same creek looking east as it enters the wetlands.

The woods are filled with young beech trees.  

These trees hold their old leaves until the new ones start appearing.

When the pale beige beech leaves start floating through the air, spring will be here.