Signs of spring

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I was walking around in the fairly warmish weather (anything more than 40 is warm by our measure these days) and I headed over towards the garden and taDA- bees in the hive there.

We had 2 living hives when we put them to bed for the winter last October, but this past March it was determined that this hive was not living any more.  We had been feeding them sugar candy since they were out and about during those warm days in early March, and we wanted them to live.  But a few weeks after we began doing that, the MA didn't see any activity at all in this hive and so---- it was assumed they hadn't made it.  So no attention has been paid to that box.

Well apparently they were alive, as yesterday I found a lot of kids hanging out around that box!

It's an alive hive

Makeshift feeder

I didn't feel like attempting to suit up and put the sugar water I made inside, because it isn't set up for it right now.  So I just placed a jar of sugar water outside of it with a make shift place where they could get at it. A bee had already found the drips from when I flipped the jar over, so I know they have found it.  The other hive has a nice fat sugar candy loaf from the weekend, so they will be fine.

So I will be interested to see what is going on this afternoon!  Another fun fact was I heard the spring peepers for the first time last night as well!  Just a couple, but still there!  They will be vocal today when it warms up closer to 60!  YAY for spring!!!

And speaking of said spring, I would guess that my little Tete-a-tete daffodils could be blooming by the weekend!!  They are located at the base of the lovely Lola! This is one of my favorite moments of the year is finding my first daffodil blossom.

And of course, lets not forget this wonderful little combo of bees and crocuses!  It has been so fun to see the bees waking up and flying around to get what they can from the limited food sources that is in northern Wisconsin right now.  There is probably way more than we think, as the strong hive had a continuous stream of bees going in and out of the box flying off and arriving in a line from the north. I wonder if some of the trees are starting to have some pollen already.

So I have to get myself ready for work, meow, and need to finish this up.  Funny how these quick posts manage to not be so quick.  But that is ok, I have time!  And celebrating spring is certainly worth the time and is a joy!!

Sunday photos 4/17/2011- updated

Oh jeez, I'm really behind this week.  I meant to blog during the week, but life got in my way.  Here is my photo contribution for the week.  I will post some and then update.  Company this weekend, appointments that are upcoming, and finally getting out for a walk kept me from my self appointed blogging duties!!  :)

By the way, spring has lost it's ever living mind!

Striped crocus

Dried seed pods

Iris reticulata

Moss on dead wood

Pine plantation

Little cabin

Hay rake

long past it's prime

Beaver dam damage

More to come!

White birch 

Old stove, new stone

Backed up creek

Pine beetle damage

Remember- be a joy giver!

Sunday photos 4/10/2011

This was a real transition week for our weather and landscape.  Last Sunday there was a 3 - 4 inch dumping of slushy snow,  which did not do much for our psyche or mood!  Today we started off our day with above freezing temperatures, the first 70 degree reading of 2011 and our first severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watch!  Wow!  The snow yesterday was still deep enough to prohibit me from a hike through the woods, and today the rains have made the majority of the snow disappear.  

Here is a selection of photos from the week.  Many photos were taken during the late afternoon/evening, as that is when I usually get my walk in.  Some were taken yesterday afternoon, in the gloom, and today in the mix of clouds, sun and storms.

Old silo and trees in the evening

Swamp abstract

reflected sky in the swamp water

Chickadee portrait

Broken tree

landscape

Mine is bigger than yours!

Bobbing for seeds

Plow abstract

Disc #2

Disc #1

Tree trunk abstract

Grand old tree

First bloom

Hiding from the deer

Storm on the horizon

I found a lot of abstract images this week.  I had to discover different captures- things are getting monotonous!  Have a joyful week.