Pink and White Dogwoods

As I sit at my computer typing tomorrow's post I hear the first whippoorwill of the season. The whippoorwill here is singing a three syllable song in a long and quick burst. The ones I heard in Florida sang a two syllable song much more slowly.



This morning I glanced out of the kitchen window and saw my dogwoods were blooming. I planted these trees last Spring and am amazed I have flowers so soon.

 The pink is so vibrant and beautiful; I'm sure to make something in clay with dogwoods.

 The white dogwood is just as vibrant when the sunlight reflects it's brightness.

So many blossoms all on one branch it amazes me such a small tree can produce so much beauty. As I type away I'm also serenaded with a chorus of tree frogs near and far with crickets as their backup.

Here's a dogwood blossom I made last year and finally got around to firing a while ago. This could be used as a chopstick rest or a paint brush rest. If I glued a little ring on the back it could also be a napkin holder. So many ideas so little time. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

First Spring Tortoise and Whippoorwill

Last night I heard the first whippoorwill of the season. I'm fascinated by the penetrating and repetitive song emanating from such a small and unassuming bird in the night. According to the ways of Southern farmers when you first hear the song of the whippoorwill it's time to plant peas. Meanwhile I've been busy preparing for visits of relatives from New Hampshire and Finland. Other duties have also called me away from my clay work and blogging. (Image for the whippoorwill was borrowed from the net).

This afternoon I saw the first Spring tortoise meandering around in the yard. See him there in the right of the photograph. I've taken the photo through the screen. He is about 10 inches long or so. I knew it was a male because he cruised by the female den and bobbed his head hoping she'd come above ground and join him. What a memory he has after his Winter's nap; he remembered mating with the female late last summer. Little did he know the den of the female gopher tortoise has been blocked off much of this Winter. We're hoping she's harboring baby tortoise underground.

We had a light rain during the day yesterday and this evening we have flung the windows open enjoying the balmy weather. I hope you're having a relaxing time welcoming in the seasonal changes Spring is bringing. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.