I don’t put much thought into April Fools Day but I must say I was a bit of fool walking in the mosquito storm encountered this April first 2015.  They were thick and wicked and swarmed my head each and every time I paused for a photo.  I’ve lived here forever and never felt like my face was being eaten off by tiny, swarming insects.  Not good.  Yet, the beauty of the woods was undeniable.

Here is what I saw.

I began in my bedroom with a toad Addie had caught and brought inside to show me.  The poor dear was peeping for his life!

A pretty redbird followed on the high-line.  I was wishing they were both with me a bit later, to chase and eat those pesky insects.

Seeing this I understood why the hummingbirds showed up early this year….

I put up my hummingbird feeder a few days ago and already have a healthy population.

While this dead tree lives on, covered in vines and woodpecker holes.

The wildflowers and dogwoods were amazing!

And I’m not sure if y’all have Maypops or not.  To be honest I don’t even know if that is their proper name.  But they come bursting forth across the forest floor each spring bearing lovely leaves, flowers and fruits.  I’ve loved them as long as I can remember.

Aren’t they pretty?

And this I’ve never seen before….

Awesomeness.

It was all awesome really…..Except for the mosquitoes who were more definitely not awesome.

This blossom will soon be a lovely blackberry……

And this……already a most unlovely thistle.

The buzzards didn’t seem to mind the bugs.

Neither did this butterfly….

And while they didn’t seem to mind, this chick-a-dee had to go home!

Thanks for coming along with me today!