Spring has sprung

Looks like Spring is well underway here in Oswego, Illinois.

It feels good to know that warmer weather is on its way.

If there is snow, it won't last. Yea.  

Spring is my favorite time of the year, a time of new beginnings,

and renewal.  The rain washes away the remnants of of the dreary 

days of winter.  It is daylight savings, so more daylight.

All good things.

Birds eye view of wild crocus along the river.

The Heron Rookery along the Fox River, Montgomery, is active.
Herons are nesting.

This Great Blue Heron is picking up pieces to add to there nest.

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are back again to our yard.
He watches over her while she eats seed from my feeders.
They go from one feeder to another.
In the past, she has laid eggs in my flower bed.
The gardener's cut down everything this past fall, so I don't have a
good place for her to stay.
Seeing them come back is always a sure sign that Spring is in the air.

One of the areas I like to walk is coming back to life.

House finches are pairing up.

House Sparrows are acquiring their summer feathers.
They look so fluffy.

Forsythia and pussy willow are in bloom.
The forsythia seems like a bush full of sunshine.

At the Morton Arboretum the Daffodil Glade is beginning to bloom.

Star Magnolia's are beginning to blossom.

Turtles are out sunning themselves.

This Robin doesn't seem too happy.

Scilla forms a blue sea along the forest floor.

Daffodils in my yard are the only ones in my neighborhood.

Lenten Rose, usually blooms like a bell.  All the blossoms hang down.
This one was kind enough to appear upright.
I had heard them called Christmas Rose.  They bloom in white,
pink, and a deep cranberry.  Another yard floor.

Sangiunaria, or Bloodroot, can be found on the forest floor.
It is one of the first flowers starting to bloom.  Violets and Trillium will be
coming along soon.

Have you ever seen white forsythia?  Several bushes of this
was in bloom in front of the visitors center at the arboretum.
The flower resembles the ones on a redbud tree.

I had heard the Great Horned Owl was seen at a forest preserve in Batavia.
On my way to guild the other evening, I decided to check it out.
When I got to the tree where she had nested before, I could not see anything.
I naturally had my camera, and when I looked through the lenses. low and behold
there she was, back up against the inside of the tree.  It was so nice to see that she had
come back.  I did look around for the male, but could not find him.  He usually stays in
the area.  Maybe another day I will see him.

I hope you have enjoyed my signs of Spring.
The last few days I have been doing a lot of sewing.
It is time I start putting together at least one of the row quilts for the 2014
Row by Row shop hop. Yes that is 2014 patterns and kits.
One quilt is laid out, just needs to be put together.
Another is in the works.
After all, another Row by Row for 2016 will be starting June 21.

Nest Monday I will be going on a four day quilt retreat in Racine, Wisconsin.
I plan to have at least one top done.

Happy Spring
Mary