in a greenhouse

Today I headed to Smith College to spend some time with flowers that were thriving in the greenhouse during the Spring Bulb Show.

It was wonderful to stand and absorb the beauty of bright spring flowers.

mini daffodils

Late morning, with rain predicted for the afternoon, I headed to Maudslay State Park. I wondered if any new flowers had emerged since my last visit almost two weeks ago.

I found snowflakes and snowdrops hidden behind a brick wall, and I found miniature daffodils in bloom on the hill that is a home to crocus a little later in the season.

It's always fun to visit flowers early in the blooming season.

a tidal river

Today's temperature provided an early glimpse of spring.

After enjoying a warm walk near home I headed to the coast, thinking the warmth would continue. It was 58 degrees when I left home. The thermometer in my car held that temperature until I turned toward the coast from route 1. By the time I reached the ocean the air temperature was 44 degrees, driven down by a cold ocean wind.

I walked by the ocean for a bit before heading north on Plum Island to walk by the tidal Merrimack River.

ice

The ponds in Harold Parker State Forest continue to wear a mix of ice and water. Some have large areas of water while others remain almost entirely ice.

first flower

Imagine my surprise when I peered over a garden wall at Maudslay State Park and saw tiny flowers emerging.

At first the small hillside presented as a sea of brown; I needed to get closer! As I stepped through the opening in the wall I saw green shoots and a few winter snowflake flowers, an early sign of spring.

cactus flower

As I wait for the approaching winter storm I am enjoying the reminder of warmth from last week's butterfly conservatory visit.

Hanging cactus shows off beautiful bright flowers.

watching

Ahkbar (the parrot) lives at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. He watches visitors wander by his perch, accepts butterflies flitting around him, and loves the head scratches given to him by members of the staff.

What a pretty bird!

photos! butterflies

Yesterday was a day of driving and of visiting the butterflies (and other creatures) at the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. It's a special place, a wonder to stand among fluttering butterflies, to absorb pure beauty.

Photos can be viewed in the gallery flitter, flutter, butterfly! 2024.

Click here to wander through my memories of the visit.

skittering

As I walked on the beach yesterday I watched sanderlings skittering across the sand, in and out of the water.

It's amazing how fast they move, and even more amazing that I managed to capture one mid-stride with my camera. The blurred foot you can see was in motion, about to step to the sand.

turning tide

I walked on the beach at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon just after low tide.

Background music was provided by the ocean, the sound of waves crashing.