The trees are past their peak, and by the as I post this, storm damage is being cleaned up and our world is covered in beautiful, deep green foliage. I've already seen new goose families. But I'm taking a look back as I catch up on "real life."
A couple weeks before the storm, Rick and his buddy Nino took off for a tandem bike hike into Ohio -- about 350 miles of riding on (mostly) lovely (albeit windy) spring days.
Yes, I always worry when Rick heads out for a long road trip, though he tells me it's much more pleasant cycling in Ohio than in Michigan where are roads are still less than lovely and over-trafficked.
(And yes, they made it home, all in one piece!)
Meanwhile, I caught up on a few things at home. And Lizzie? She just did her Lizzie thing. Eat. Sleep. Use her puppy pads and, on occasion, her litter box. But she's so darned cute.
I enjoyed some walks to the Ditch. There were some beautiful reasons to walk the ditch -- the trees were pretty much in full flower
I confess, I can't get enough of the redbuds. Their bloom season is all too short and they seem to brighten any path.
The red-winged blackbirds were out in force, most not landing long enough for a good photo op. But this one seemed to pose!
When I started this post, Mama Goose, whose mate scared the heck out of me when I got where he thought was too close, was still sitting on her nest of eight eggs.
But another family was out in force! And there were seven in this group, too.
I have to say, those little ones are awfully cute.
They follow Mom closely!
But when they come up on the bank, they are free agents, learning to find food on the shore.
Both parents stick pretty close.
But now and then, the wee ones slow down enough to be able to get a good view.
Then, by some unheard but definite command, they gather behind mom and off they go!
And off I went, too, passing through carpets of dandelions and violets.
And past a shower of magnolia blossoms.
This part of spring is over far too soon.
Sharing with: Friday Face-Off / Saturday's Critters / Love Your Creativity
58 comments:
...that goose family is amazing as is a 350 mile bike ride!
So good to see your husband living life to the fullest—smooth roads or not, your reflections add so much depth.
The redbuds are just gorgeous!
I love all your photos!!! Flowers, Canada geese and sweet Lizzy.
Great photos! Lizzie and those yellow baby geese are so cute! The red winged blackbird is gorgeous.
I have never seen a tandem bicycle in Japan. They were illegal until 2023. The law that made them illegal did not specifically mention “tandem bicycle”, but said it is illegal for two people to be on the same bicycle (except for small children in a child seat with a parent). Two people on the same single person bicycle is still illegal. In recent years, tandems became legal in different areas, with Tokyo being the last area to legalize them in 2023. Some tourist companies offer tours with them now. Still, they are not common.
It is kind of sad that the spring blooms don't last very long, isn't it? It looks beautiful in your photos. And oh those goslings are so cute. Glad Rick had a safe trip. I hope your weather is more spring like than it is at my house. The rain is cold; they say it's the coldest May temps on record for today. hugs-Erika
Those fluffy goslings are the cutest things. So much beauty in springtime. Glad Rick's cycling went well.
Our blossoms blossomed and then blew and rained down overnight. Too bad we didn't get to enjoy them a bit longer.
gorgeous springtime in your neighborhood! The geese ,as attentive parents ,are to be commended. In spite of their poopy ways they are quite lovely. Babies all in a row is endearing as well.
Jeanie,
Beautiful pics!!! Thanks so much for stopping by as often as you do!! I really appreciate it!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
I agree,early Spring passes far too fast.it is nice to revisit it in your post, at least.
What exactly is the Ditch?
I love every single photo - nature is glorious and sometimes so willing to share with us all the beauty in the world. I hope you're doing well - take care of yourself.
The flowering trees don’t last long enough is so sadly true. Beautiful pictures. The geese family are a delight.
May
I couldn't help but worry until he was back home, either. He really does go on some long trips. Having someone with you...they were both probably safer. :)
Love seeing the little goslings! So many don't survive. Same with the baby partridges. They're easy prey. The goslings have more formidable parents to protect them, at least.
The trees look amazing! I loved the ground covered with the blanket of dandelions and violets! :)
Hello,
Love the trees and blossoms. I hope Rick and his friend had a safe bike ride. The Geese family is adorable, I love the cute goslings. They are a treat to see! Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.
I would have had no doubt that Rick would return home hearty and happy! He is the biker’s biker after all. The Ditch looks lovely, and Harry is not there to enjoy it! Those goslings won’t be sorry because they would no doubt have been uppermost in Harry’s mind as a menu choice!
Rick is something else..KUDOS.. It must be a deeply introspective zen time even with a friend.Your concentration..wow how cleansing that must be..Our trees have not seen the light of day in full bloom as cold and dark arrived right when they were almost in their glory..It's been a bad stretch of weather for May.Isn't photography fun? The flora..fauna..etc..I love it and do do you.Happy weekend.
We have several geese families living near us too; I do love seeing the babies when they're so yellow and fluffy and cute.
Love all those blooms! And of course, the goslings, they are always so cute.
Here's a question that's never occurred to me before. On a tandem bike, who works harder? The person in front, or the person in back? Or does it depend on conditions, like riding a flat surface or going uphill? Inquiring minds want to know! (There's no questioning the cuteness of those babies or the beauty of the trees, of course!)
Wonderful photos.the blooms are always so pretty. How fun to see the babies. Kudos to Rick on his cycling adventures. Happy weekend.
I completely understand that you get nervous every time Rick sets out on his bike. I feel the same every day when my husband leaves for work - his commute is on a bike. It's mostly through neighborhoods, but also a couple rather busy streets with no bike lane. The city is in the process to put more bike lanes in on busy streets which I like since the reduced car lanes also reduces speed, but some people are really mad about this.
I'm with you, Jeanie, on the beauty of the redbuds. I like their cheerful color, but yes, all the bloom is over way too soon. All our beautiful wildflowers are mostly gone or on their way out - its was a good season because of all the rain we had in the winter. The goslings are super cute! How wonderful that you have the ditch so close that you can walk there and enjoy its beauty.
Have a lovely weekend! Hugs - Carola
Your photos are gorgeous and the baby geese are adorable. They grow so fast...I always love the teenage stage when they are stumbling around looking goofy. Grins, Sandi
You're right, it seems the time of blossoms don't last as long as we want. They either all on the ground or get spread out from the wind and rain. That is such a pretty picture of the magnolia blossoms on the ground. And those baby geese are just soooo cute. You got a great picture of the red-winged blackbird. They are always moving or fly away before we can get a good pic of the red on their wing. The redbud trees are beautiful right now at the Ditch. And of course, little miss Lizzie always takes the best photos. That's awesome that Rick went on a bike ride with his friend. I could never use that cycling bike. I have to be free on my own. haha. How I love your home posts and especially those which take you to the Ditch, Jeanie. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful things there.
~Sheri
I'm glad that Rick returned safely.. Most things a little are cute, I think. I hope there are any snapping turtles in the ditch. They will make short work of them. Lovely pictures...Have a fun weekend..
Reading your post feels like a peaceful walk alongside you, soaking in those fleeting moments of spring—especially those redbuds and busy little goslings. It’s a beautiful reminder to slow down and appreciate the small wonders right outside our door. I’m glad Rick and Nino made it back safely, and that Lizzie is thriving in her own charming way.
New post: www.melodyjacob.com
So glad Rick got out to ride with his buddy. What gorgeous photos. You have a nice place to walk. The trees with all the flowers are amazing. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a nice weekend.
Spring is so welcome in Michigan! Now I wish it would stop raining.
So many beautiful light frothy fluffy things! Glad you captured a few of them to savor. The redbuds are always my favorite, too.
Given the number of contractors he's been coordinating I was glad to hear that Rick had the chance to enjoy a long ride with Nino. Especially glad to hear of his safe return...
Enjoy the long weekend, friend. Hope you find much more to savor.
Beautiful! I enjoyed all of your lovely photos. Glad the men got back home safely-that is a lot of miles.
Happy weekend
Those little goslings are absolutely adorable! Spring has such a special kind of magic, with all its colors and new life. Glad to hear Rick’s ride was smooth—sounds like a perfect season for adventure! š“♂️
What a pleasant journey, Jeanie... Your photographs are gorgeous! It made me wonder if you spend time waiting for the right kind of frame. No Harry the Heron, yet?
Wow. I never saw a tandem bike in real life! Must be very difficult to ride!
Awww on Lizzie! And Spring! Finally!
LOL, that bird wears "German" colors, like the flag, in that order even.
Oh, the babies.
The Spring flowers are so uplifting. Lizzie and the goslings are too cute for sure!
Hello Jeanie,
Great critter photos, I love your sweet Lizzie.
The Red-winged Blackbird is a welcome sight in the spring time.
It is cute to see the large family of geese, they little goslings are adorable. Beautiful trees, the blossoms are lovely.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
There's a tandem bike available at my library for checkout, but I can't get anyone to try it with me!
The geese are so much fun for me to see. They don't seem to ever come down here.
Jeanie, Just dropping in this cool morning to say Thank You and Welcome for your sweet post on LAWN TEA a good while ago (the artist who painted atop a pan of water and magically produced Starry Night). I so appreciate your saying you like my writing---I've been throwing little bits and bobs out there since 2008, but dwindled to the same almost-stop as the World did in 2020. Just now getting back into the swing of anything not related to home or family for the past few years.
Your mama goose just took my heart---our adventures and fast-friends relationships with ducks and geese right here in the city---at our apartment complex, where we attracted a flock growing by the day for three years, and I swear some of them followed us here when we bought this house---those are related in LAWN TEA as well.
And Mama G. DOES keep up with those babies---one morning out on our patio, I was possibly 100 feet from her nest on a tiny island in one of the apartment lakes. She stood up, stretched a little, flapped her wings, and swam off to the shore for breakfast. I could count six shining eggs in her nest, and when she returned, she stood over them for a moment, bobbed her head exactly six times around the nest to be sure, and settled back into place with the confidence and aplomb of your favorite second-grade teacher. Goose Math.
Thank you for your visit, and though my posts are not nearly as often as they used to be, I'd love to have you look in anytime!! rachel at LAWN TEA.
PS I've signed up for your blog by e-mail. Yay.
Growing up we had a neighbor who would ride a tandem bike with his wife. Love those baby goslings, they are so cute. Harry is probably on his way to the ditch and will be there soon. Enjoy the weekend.
Beautiful trees! Always love your ditch photos. We have 7 baby swans this year. The turtle that usually get most of them only got 2 year and hopefully the 7 will be too big soon for the turtle to go after. It's a horrible thing to see.
Those little goslings are so very precious! And I'm glad the bike trip went well. I would worry too but all adventures have an element of danger, don't they! Hugs!
I so love baby animals, including geese and ducks and swans. Sadly our Redbud tree dies a few years ago. Contemplating on getting anew one as I so love the blooms. Glad Rick had a nice ride and came home safe. Janice
Beautiful photographs from the ditch, those goslings are just so cute.
All the best Jan
Glad Rick had a good ride and got back safely. Spring we wait and wait all winter and it comes and goes so fast. Beautiful trees great pictures.
Cathy
The early blooming trees of spring are some of my favorite, especially the redbud. So happy Rick and friend enjoyed their ride and arrived back home safely!
i would worry too...about those long bike rides. but it is wonderful that he has a hobby he enjoys so much and has a friend to ride with. you captured a GREAT image of the red winged blackbird, they are so pretty and it is one of my favorite birds. the trees are beautiful, i am glad things are getting back to normal!! the goslings really are everywhere!! enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Wow! what a long bike ride that Rick and his friend undertook and glad they made it safely and I can well understand your concern, Jeanie, with the way some motorists drive. It looks like you had a lovely walk and the spring blooms are lovely as are the geese family, and it's too bad the goslings can't stay small and cute š we have at least one family of in recent weeks.
Most of our flowering trees have been done for a while now. Your photos are great. We do have a rough-leaved dogwood in our yard that's blooming now. It's nice to have one a little bit later than the rest.
love the flowers and the birds! wow that tandem bike ...
What a beautiful snapshot of spring! And your photos of the redbuds, goslings, and magnolia blossoms are just lovely.
Geese are very effective parents -- which I guess is why there are so many geese!
I love seeing the baby geese - before they become annoying adult geese that are not so cute and make quite a mess! I saw some baby ducks on my run this morning. And Paul’s class got to watch some ducks hatch right outside his window at school. I agree that this season of flowering trees is far too short!
I would worry as well.
Lovely photos. Cute little goose family. I spotted one of those black and red birds just the other day.. they are so pretty.
Hello, Lizzie, plus hello beautiful blossoms and scenes from the ditch. Rick always amazes me with the bicycle adventures.
So many beautiful spring photos. Spring is also late here in Sweden. We had a few sunny day, although the temperature does stay rather low. Lately, we had rain almost every day. Although, I am not complaining, because they have just announced that the ground water level is low, so much needed. Enjoy the coming summer.
I am so glad Rick and his friend made it back safely.
The red buds are my favorite too.
We enjoy the baby geese as well. So fun to see.
Glad to see things are returning to normal.
Love your photos of spring rebirth!
I never tire of photos of cute ducks.
My late husband thought it would be fun for us to get a tandem bike to ride together. At least he *said* he did; I think he was able to tease me that way without any fear that I would go for the idea!
I agree, spring springs upon us too fast and is gone even faster. Every bloom and gosling is more precious for that reason.
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