Spring Progress

Spring is progressing rapidly. Some of the trees are still waiting for their Summer cloak of leaves, but many are well along. There are two or three bare tree right out my window, but I see the first indications of buds and they too will soon be green and leafy. The flower trees are getting leaves and the flowers are disappearing into the green of the leaves. I understand there are more than a hundred varieties of narcissus flowers including daffodils. I might just take a few an put them on my blog.

A World of Flowers

When we began moving to Utah, it was the middle of the Summer and so we have now seen all four of the seasons. I can say that the Fall leaves are impressive but the Spring is spectacular. This is my first season change experience in many years. I do miss the cactus but the colors here are a lot of competition for the understated colors of the desert. You can hardly believe that only a few short weeks ago, these same trees were covered in snow.

The Flowers of Spring

With temperatures in the 70s, Spring has come to Utah Valley. I can look out my window at new green leaves and flowering trees. We had a gorgeous walk around the opening day of the Garden at Thanksgiving Point. I still miss the cactus, but the Narcissus and Tulips are a good substitute.

Echinus Geyser

Echinus Geyser is named for the hardly visible spiny formations that grow around the edge of this hot spring. In the image, they are not visible. This pool is highly acidic, almost as acidic as vinegar. It now erupts only rarely. Visiting Yellowstone National Park is extremely interesting, but unless you have the time and patience to sit for a long period of time, there are many of the geysers you will not see erupting. We happened to be there during a very active time and saw many more than I had ever seen before, but not Echinus.

Out my Window -- Deer on the Wall

I guess I would have to say that moving from the low desert of Arizona to Utah makes me take a few adjustments to my perspective. This is a common sight now out any one of the windows of our house. I had to take this photo through the glass because if I moved too much or opened the door, the deer would take off in a flash and run up the hill. It doesn't seem to matter as to the time of day or the weather, they come and go as they please and eat any of the bushes or flowers or whatever they find tasty. Right at the moment, they look sleek and fat and seem to have survived the winter in good health. The other day, we found a dead deer laying next to one of the houses in the neighborhood. My guess is that it was hit by a car on the street outside of our tiny subdivision. There is always something to keep us interested. By they way, the deer love to eat tulips but leave daffodils alone.

A Snake on the Trail

We spotted this snake crossing the Murdock Canal Trail on the east edge of Utah Valley. The trail is for bikes and walking so that is why it is paved. I was afraid the snake might get run over by the hoards of bicycles on the trail so I gently nudged it along its way into the brush.

BYU Bell Tower in a Storm

It was a cloudy day in the early Spring with intermittent rain, but I had to stop and take this photo of the Brigham Young University Bell Tower. This is a very familiar landmark on the campus and most students become used to the carillon concerts on the hour and during mid-day. I walk by this view many times a week on my trips back and forth to the BYU Family History Library in the center of the campus in the Harold B. Lee Library. I thought about taking this photo over when the skies were bright blue, but I really liked the idea of clouds and the rain.