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I confess: Last week got a little not-busy-but-full (see my riff on that linguistic distinction from a few weeks ago), and my writing time got compressed to the point of near disappearance. I did somehow find time to get out and play with my cameras, though. So instead of inundating you with more words this week, I thought we'd take a break and look at pictures together. Less verbiage, more visuals. Here are some shots from my springtime rambles. I hope you enjoy them. WARNING: If you're not a fan of legless things that slither, skip photo #21 (right after the yellow lady slipper orchid)  Always a delight to find the season's first hepatica  A welcome sight on the trail  Peek-a-boo  Rose-breasted grosbeaks are also harbingers of spring  Is that a protective gaze or a "what have I gotten myself into" look?  One of the trillium plants I bought at Newaygo Conservation District's native plant sale. Last year the deer nipped them all before they bloomed, but this year the critters held off just long enough for me to get one picture.  Can you tell I was captivated by the baby robins in the nest on our back porch?  Still hungry!  Trout lily in the woods  I (heart) ferns  Sure they can be pesky, but who can resist that face?  Even the birds that winter here seem perkier in the spring  Large-flowered bellwort is my best guess  Nothing sings "spring" like a flowering tree  A spy on high  Sweat bee on dandelion (who knew dandelions had all those curlicues? Looks like it's decorated for a party!)  Fern unfurled  Family portrait  Is this how these wing thingies are supposed to work? (Don't you love the nestmate's "what on earth??" expression?)  Yellow lady slipper  Blue racer in a rare moment of repose before slithering away  Tufted titmouse  Wood betony. The flowering head reminds me of a fancy, gold-and-velvet crown.  STILL hungry, Mom!  Junior Birdman (Birdwoman?), about to take flight  The dogwood by neighbors Sally and Mark's driveway was stunning this year  Chickadee, up close and personal What are your favorite signs of spring?
30 Comments
Tonya Howe
5/17/2017 07:22:43 am
Especially love the party bee photo-nice camera! & comments ♡
Nan
5/17/2017 07:33:06 am
Thanks, Tonya! I like that one, too -- makes me want to be a bee.
Nita
5/17/2017 08:06:23 am
Great pics, Nan! I never knew dandelions had those curliecues! Spring fever is such a rush! I think people who live in a real 4 season climate feel it the most. Great time to be in Michigan!
Nan
5/17/2017 08:59:16 am
I'm sure you must be especially aware of that this year, having been away from Michigan for part of the winter.
Nan
5/17/2017 09:58:36 am
Thank you so much, Ruth! I'm still learning for sure, but I'm having fun doing it.
Nan
5/17/2017 02:46:03 pm
Thanks, Colleen. It helped that the baby birds were right outside my doorwall. I just had to stand on a stepladder and shoot through the glass (until my arms gave out from holding up the heavy lens!).
Gina
5/17/2017 06:48:39 pm
Absolutely love the pictures
Nan
5/18/2017 06:32:36 am
Thanks, Gina!
Kitty
5/18/2017 04:36:34 am
Oh Nancy!!!! Each one of your photos is marvelous but especially the trillium!!!! How about a show at the Art Place in Fremont?!
Nan
5/18/2017 06:35:03 am
Maybe someday, Kitty. I don't think I'm quite up to their speed yet. Maybe Ray will let me put on a show in his man cave, though. Or I'll hang some photos the secret gallery in my office closet where I display my collages.
Sally Pobojewski
5/18/2017 10:54:16 am
Absolutely stunning photos, Nancy! I love the squirrels - the snake, not so much.
Nan
5/18/2017 11:04:22 am
Thanks, Sally! I'm starting to think I'm the only snake fan around. Guess I'd better concentrate on birds, bugs and squirrels. It's interesting, though -- I've seen more snakes so far this year than ever before. 5/18/2017 12:36:05 pm
You got some exceptional photos! I think my favorite is the squirrel peeking out of the tree.
Nan
5/18/2017 01:02:50 pm
Haha! Enjoy the dandelion party, Trisha. I think the squirrel playing peek-a-boo is my favorite, too. Thanks for visiting HeartWood. 5/18/2017 01:08:39 pm
A-MAZ--ing!!! Love that little bee in the center of the flower. I always try to take a photo of the bees and insects and hummingbirds in the plants, but they just do not sit still for me! I know you must have shot a lot of photos to glean out such beautiful ones to share with us. Thanks recording for the spring treat!
Nan
5/19/2017 05:58:25 am
Thanks, Janet. Yes, I did shoot quite a few of the bee on the flower. It was an unusually cooperative bee, though, so it wasn't so hard to do.
Sally C Kane
5/19/2017 05:33:56 am
Wow! Wow! I kept saying all the way through. What a difference a great camera makes, and the photographer behind the lens.
Nan
5/19/2017 06:01:27 am
Thanks, Sally! Actually some of these (bee on dandelion and most of the flower pix) were taken with my little Coolpix camera, not its big sister Nikon. I like to switch off between them.
Emily Everett
5/23/2017 03:15:06 am
These are fabulous! Every single one is wonderful but I'm also partial to the party bee. Or maybe the baby robins. I love seeing the world through your eyes.
Nan
5/23/2017 06:00:09 am
Thanks, Emily! Soon you can see all of this for yourself. (Except the baby robins, who've flown away. Mr. and Mrs. Robin are working on a second brood, though)
Cris wyns
5/23/2017 04:35:28 am
Thanks for sharing all of your photos! "Peek-a-boo" and the dandelion with pollen all over the bee is an "I wish I had taken that pic!" A few years ago I stopped saying "it's just" a squirrel, or a dandelion, each living thing, no matter how ordinary is amazing and worthy of closer examination, including snakes!
Nan
5/23/2017 06:01:06 am
I agree, Cris! It was fun running into you in the woods the other day. I'd love to see some of your photos some time.
Nan
5/25/2017 08:01:27 am
Robin shots -- is that some kind of party drink for ornithologists?
Sue S.
5/24/2017 11:06:55 am
You captured so many beautiful images of spring. I enjoy snakes, had a Ball Python in my classroom for years, as well as many other animals. We are blessed to live in Michigan where we have many joys in each season.
Nan
5/25/2017 08:02:33 am
Glad to hear you're a snake fan, too, Sue. They are so maligned.
Cindi McDonald
5/31/2017 07:48:32 am
What an accomplished photographer you are. I think that you ARE ready for a public exhibit. These are magnificent photos. I have enjoyed looking at them repeatedly.
Kind words, Cindi. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the photos. I love the flowering trees this time of year, too.
6/5/2017 07:07:09 am
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Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray. Archives
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