I'm being followed by a tree's shadow,

tree's shadow, tree's shadow.*

*sing to Cat Steven's "Moonshadow"

I couldn't help but notice the wonderful shadows being cast by different trees.

In a few short weeks their shadows will be completely different, full of leaves and obscuring their graceful limbs and branches.

I've been trying to catch the crabs in bloom. Wednesday I went over but I wasn't happy with my photos. So, yesterday morning I went back again, only a little bit earlier to avoid too many people. And, wouldn't you know it, the allee was being mowed! I bided my time with taking photos of other things until he was done. They aren't quite all  in full bloom yet, but almost.

The freshly mown grass gave off a wonderful odor. The grass only smells this way in spring and in fall. Sweet, like clover. And also like freshly cut scallions! We have so many wild onions all over the place -- in our own yard as well. I didn't have long to wait and Mr. Mower moved on out of my way.

This photo was taken about half-way down the allee, looking toward the statues of the the Four Continents. There are 156 "Pink Spires" in total.

 The statue of Asia looks back the opposite direction towards the lodge. It's her best side since her face is mostly worn away. Do you remember her?

The color of newly sprung green was everywhere. It doesn't last long but it's intoxicating while it's here.

Ahhh, Spring!!

Spring it taking her sweet time this year, but how sweet it is! Every day when I look out the window my view becomes a little more obstructed. Gone is the bare starkness of rows of leafless trees. Now the trees are wearing fuzzy buds that light up when the rising sun shines through them. Soon our back yard will be enclosed in the green cocoon of summer. It happens every year but I still marvel at the process.

Every blooming thing has its own special season. The cherries are on the wane now (I'm sure you're glad for that!) but the forsythia and daffodils are still going strong. The crabapples and azaleas will be next although I have seen a few azaleas blooming. The lilacs will be right on their heels. 

So in honor of Spring's other predominant color, yellow, and the fact that the forsythia and daffodils will soon be gone, I dedicate this blog post to YELLOW.

Forsythia as a background.

And cherry trees (what else?) as a background.

Linked in to Weekly Top Shot

I love it when artists set up their easels on the grounds of Skylands …

Monday was a beautiful day!

A little chilly, but sunny. I headed out to Skylands to check on the progress of CrabApple Lane. No crabapple blossoms yet—the buds were tightly closed.

And I'm sorry I lied to you when I said the cherry tree photos had come to an end. I guess I should have said the photos of Branch Brook Park had come to an end, because Skylands was just beginning.

I'm so sorry …

 I love walking around Skylands. It's peaceful, the birds are singing, and you never know just what you are going to see.

Sometimes I go for the exercise; sometimes just for taking photos.

Either way, it's always enjoyable.

Is it any wonder I keep going back again and again?

Linking to Madge's Rurality Blog Hop