Juxtapositions

I wandered down to the water this morning. I couldn't help but try and catch a photo of a sight I found to be very amusing: ducks hanging out on an old inner tube that has been tied to the dock and forgotten about:

Of course, they fled as soon as I approached. Little did they know I came bearing gifts of bread. I managed to snap this shot before they were all off of the raft though, which I came to find out is actually called Big Mable. I find it nice, in a way, to realize how nature will appropriate things when she pleases. That raft had obviously been there long enough to be incorporated into the ducks' environment and no longer deemed a human "threat".

While I realize this appropriation can be a good thing, I also realize it can be dangerous. In the same way our feathered friends might make use of the things careless humans leave behind, they can also become entangled in things like fishing wire. We live an existence of opposites. Juxtapositions.

Once I was down to the deck, a little lady came up to say hi. She wasn't with the other ducks and was actually quite friendly. She got the bread all to herself (well, except for a few pesky fishes who attempted to snatch it away from her). I really enjoy how quirky ducks are. It was peaceful on the lake with just her this morning.

Happy Spring

Spring is finally in full swing here in Johnson City. The lake is looking especially beautiful (when it isn't covered in pollen). I hope everyone had a lovely Easter weekend.

Here's a snapshot of Duke and Phoebe out enjoying the warm weather. Duke is usually content just to sit in the sun, whereas Phoebe has to find something to chew on (usually a stick).

The irises are blooming right now. We have quite a few colors planted on the hillside here, and I wanted to capture their beauty before their relatively short blooming season is over.

The yellow ones are huge! Bigger than my hands, although you can't tell from the picture.

The bi-colored ones are probably my favorite. I love the intricate patterns on the petals, and how beautiful the insides of the blossoms look.

This time of year is truly wonderful. I love watching everything come to life. It reminds me so much of my grandfather, who has been gone ten years now. He loved flowers and watching the birds, and being outside in general. It's hard to believe how the time flies. Enjoy it. Mark the seasons. Happy Spring <3

Surprise

There's nothing quite like a surprise March snow-shower. After rain all day and night on Saturday, Daniel and I watched as it turned to sleet, then snow, Sunday afternoon. We only got about an inch, but it was still enough to cover everything in white. I don't know exactly how to feel about snow this time of year. Normally I love snow, but I am beyond ready for spring. This was certainly a wake-up to the fact that I'm not in Alabama anymore.
Most of it is melted by now. I think I'll keep looking out for signs of spring anyway, even though winter is still making its presence known.

Smoke on the Water

We got a ton of rain yesterday, but thankfully that was all. The little patch of sand to the right is now under water completely...lake levels are rising fast! (I hear the people back in Alabama had to put up with tornado sirens blaring all day! And we lost a tree back at the Florence house, which makes me sad. I miss those old oaks.)

I watched the storms roll in, knowing that I have a basement to hide in if need be, and have figured out that fog tends to roll out over the water before a heavy rain. I like the eeriness of this photograph.