I took myself off to Skylands yesterday for a check on how things were coming along. Things are not quite in gear yet for Spring, but almost. This weeping cherry is almost there. I imagine a few more days and it will burst forth in a froth of pink blossoms.

Buds were popping everywhere!

I did the entire three miles (both loops) yesterday and it got so warm that I had to shed my jacket about 3/4 of the way through. I did see Mr. Pileated Woodpecker again in the same spot as I took photos of him the last time, but no pics this time. He just flew right over my head and into the woods, all the while doing his laughing call. It's a nice walk because the terrain is varied. It's mostly level with a few hills thrown in for good measure.

I keep checking the FaceBook page for Branch Brook park every day and the cherry trees down there are coming along but they are slow too. Maybe tomorrow I'll head down there anyway even if they aren't quite in full bloom. If I wait much longer I probably won't get down there to capture the spectacle since we have some rainy days moving in at the end of the week.

P.S. I got impatient for the camera store to get my lens in so I ordered it from Amazon instead. I hate not supporting local business, but when I called them they had no idea when the lenses were shipping. It's a Tamron 18-270mm. It was the only lens I took to Skylands yesterday to give it a try. It's lighter than my other zoom lenses and it was nice to not have to carry multiple lenses or to switch them out.

We must be a few days ahead of you in the “blooming department”.  Philly had their Sakura Cherry Festival over the weekend and the Cherry Trees were in full blossom.  Gorgeous!  So glad you like that Tamron lens…it’s always my “go to”.

That weeping cherry is going to be absolutely gorgeous when it finally pops!  You’ll have to go back in another few days and get it in its full glory.

I know nothing about cameras or lenses, but theses photos are so beautiful. I especially like the contrast in the forsythia (is that what it is?) one. Obviously I don’t know much about flowers either!

Kathy, yes you are definitely ahead of us in blooms. It’s your fault about the lens, ya know! So far, so good. It does have a touchier focus so I just have to get used to that.

C, yes, I will try and go back if the weather allows. There are two of these huge old weeping cherries in the same are of the grounds. I am keeping my eye on them!

S, you came through as Susan this time instead of Bigsis! Did you do that on purpose? Thanks, glad you liked the photos. No, it’s not a forsythia, just a tree with flowery buds.

As you noted on my post, we seem to be at about the same level of “spring-ness,” though things are coming along here pretty quickly. A lot of the blooming trees have come out in just the last few days.