Just when I can’t take the thievery of our Florida politicians, monetizing and robbing our public lands, fresh water, oil, black bears….spring comes! And reminds me of the true value and proper scale of Earth’s gifts.
Carrot coins straight from our garden
From our garden, I harvest my lunch every day: carrots more golden than the brightest coin, butter crunch lettuce, greener than any dollar.
Cedar waxwings in Southwood
I watch the cedar waxwings do the same, swarming the red berries of holly, and the gold fruits of our loquat tree. Don’t miss them: soon they will fly north to breed, nourished by Florida berries.
The redbuds! The red buckeye trees! The first golden chested parula warblers of spring, trilling from the high oaks! And ever so soon, we will see our first swallowtailed kites. We we must never forget the truest gifts of Earth.
I have been feeling down about the spirit of contentiouness which seems to be pervading the whole planet. Thanks for a cheerier perspective!
What a beautiful bird that golden chested parula warbler is! So many precious, unique expressions of life.
We have an organic garden, also, since 1973. We plant in the fall and harvest, under plastic, if necessary, except for this year. The insects were still around in November. The few hardy greens have been producing fresh salads (arugula, mesclun, lettuce, endive, chard) and boiled greens (kale, collards, daikon, turnips). We will need to spade up the garden again for the late spring garden. Your carrots and lettuce look wonderful.
We went paddling today on the Wacissa and there were more little blue herons there than we have ever seen in one area, flocks of ibis, great egret, great blue herons, coots, anhingas and cormorants, and many, many Florida cooters and American alligators! The Florida maples were in leaf — yes, spring is here.
We were thrilled to see on an overhanging oak limb, little communities of green fly orchid plants. Later, to the discerning eye, these new shoots will produce tiny, elfin flowers of light green. Amazing how such petite flowers can make one’s spirit soar big time! The sky was a glorious blue.
We also saw new sprouts of green fly orchids on Graham and Fort Gadsden creeks while paddling yesterday. A few cypress are about to green, but the ogeche tupelo trees are still holding their buds tight to their stems. Graham Creek has a lush growth of Bartram’s Bromeliad in the branch on river right, about 1/4 mile from the hway 65 bridge. The photogenic gnarled cypress there had its trunk covered in water – the creek was high.
The Apalachicola is fast (close to 3mph) and high and for the first time ever we were able to glide into a grassy section instead of a concrete ramp for lunch at Bloody Bluff Landing. A big chilly yesterday and overcast until about 2 pm.
The two Atlantans we were showing off our rivers to, were duly impressed!
Amen, Sister. Thank you!
Yes, the signs of Spring do help to keep my attention in better balance. We have cedar waxwings out at Grassroots too- so exciting to watch their frenzy in the same trees you mentioned! They and the robins are here for such a short time. Some visiting human friends from MA, Quakers, were surprised to see so many Bloodroots here- as well as an area of tiny white flowers I usually call “Innocence.” “Oh,” they said, you have Quaker Ladies!” Lastly, a wonderful discovery in digging out the edges of solid growths of Coral Ardisia- many, many young Solomon’s Seal plants! May these little ones grow and thrive! Thank you Mother Earth for so many gifts and surprises- and for your pictures of Spring & your encouragement, thank you, Susan!
Out here in the northwest, the threat to our public lands keeps us (activists)on our toes……but every morning, I look at the beautiful snow-covered mountains and I am so grateful to be alive on this lovely, stunning planet!
Debo, here, too. You made through a whole Montana winter?!
Wonderful reflection, Alice!
Back atcha, Darry!
Ann, you are so welcome!
What a beautiful, full report, Marylyn!
Lovely blog. Your garden produces the sweetest carrots ever!
You remind me of how much I miss my Tallahassee home! Loretta
Tallahassee misses you, too, Loretta!