Short walk, late frost and new buds

[kgd]

Just a little walk around today. The dogs were getting squirrely having only been around the block on the walks the past few weeks....This was what they were like this morning until I kicked the puppy in the ass to calm her down....

Now, on to the prairies. Its been t-shirt weather the last couple of days and I was a bit surprised at the frost on the ground.

Even a little bit of ice still glazing the surface of puddles that are shaded.

But despite these reminders of winter past, the forest is finally waking up.

The fresh leaves on the aspen behind a rising sun makes them seem like they are glowing...

Had a morning coffee at the spot where I constructed my natural shelter last fall.

More evidence of the underbrush taking on colour. Its a wonderful change over from the drab brown I've come so accustomed to.

Inside the sassafras stand...

Sassafras buds opening up on the sunny side of the stand..

One opening blossom on this fruit tree...

Thats all....Hope everybody is enjoying their weekend.

 

[Mossyhorn]

Great photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Thanks for sharing

Always enjoy your posts

 

[kgd]

A couple of extra shots - few trout lilies

Unknown flowers, but they were carpeting one part of the forest

The trilliums are just starting, I only found two opened up and many that will be blooming in about a week

 

[pitdog]

Great stuff Ken, the Trilliums are just starting to sprout over here !

 

[TheGame]

Thanks for the pics, Ken. Odd that you mention the ice. I left for a trip to TN, and I got back from being in the 70's and 80's all week, and each day I called home it was in the 40's and the nights well below freezing.

 

[upnorth]

Gorgeous pics. I have been quite active outdoors for the last month -six weeks in southern Sask. For the most part it's been fairly warm but dull plant wise. The green up has starting here within the last week. About a month ago I was enjoying an unusually warm pre spring (for around here) day. I was standing still and noticed a steady buzzing sound and it dawned on me that it was insect noise. I followed the sound to its source and walked near a tree with a big cloud of bees swarmed~hovering around it. I kept my distance and cursed that I didn't bring the camera. I have gone back to that tree several times since and saw no activity. I have wondered since if the bees are semi dormant from cooler weather that came in, or they were investigating~leaving that tree. Dunno, and I'm curious. I gave the tree a swat with a shovel the last time I was out and no activity.

 

[Mistwalker]

Nice shots Ken, nice to see the colors coming back after the lifelessness of winter isn't it.

 

[kgd]

Added to thread, early morning walk with my buddy Joe today...Then I went back to work...

Stinging nettle - harvested and consumed later this evening...

The stingers..

Garlic mustard - the flowers signal the close of their edibility. Before the flowers appear, I like to cut these guys above the ground about 2", remove the main leaf stems, and eat the stock like celery. Tastes like a combination between celery and raddish.

Mayapple stand - so toxic and attractive....

Cherry blossoms are apparently edible...I'm not much of a flower eater..

But wild strawberry leaf tea is sublime. A handful of the greenery steeped in boiling water makes a delight....Plus it chases scruvy away, with some action packed Vitamin C...

Beware of those bearing hair....They are both toxic and will talk you out of your bank account....Yep - hairy is dangerous territory folks...

 

[justtheedge]

Great pics!

 

[kgd]

Great pics!

Thanks!