Down by the Riverside

Two weeks ago I noticed a large flock of geese foraging for leftover corn in a field across the road. I thought I'd try to capture a shot of them with my camera, but first I needed to feed the barn cats. By the time I'd done that the geese were gone from the field, but I could hear them on the river, so I walked down to look for them.

Along the path I noticed this crow sitting in a tree and it let me get quite close before it flew off.

The morning was pleasant, but still chilly enough for long underwear. Frost covered a shady area of the path.

I found the geese floating peacefully on the river, but unfortunately my presence disturbed them.......

.....and they took flight.

They didn't go far, just around a few bends in the river, so I followed the path, hoping to catch a few more shots of them.

Just a little way along I found this pair, and a male mallard duck.

They swam away from me, around the first bend....

...and there was the little female mallard.

These 2 geese were bolder than the others had been, and let me walk a little closer....

....before they took flight. I wondered if they were the same pair my daughter and I had seen in that spot the week before, and if perhaps they were nesting in the area. I'd love to find a nest with eggs when and if they do. I've looked in previous years, but haven't been lucky enough to find one yet.

Continuing around the bend, I found some of the first group in a cornfield. Of course, they weren't going to hang around and pose for me....

....so they were off again.

They're so beautiful in flight.

Walking back I noticed this little creek, which runs into the river, had ice along the edges....

......forming some interesting patterns.

The skeletons of last summer's milkweed pods still stood on the creek bank.

And I found this fascinating seedpod on a scrub tree.

There's the old barn next to the shale bed.

There was still plenty of ice where this creek runs through the culvert under the road.

I love the red stems on this weedy shrub that grows prolifically around here. Its name escapes me at the moment.

I cut a small bunch of pussywillow branches growing down by the river to make a nice arrangement for the dining room table.

Mother Nature has only allowed us a few warm, sunny days so far....little tastes of spring to tease us. We've had rain, mud, and gray skies for the most part......even snow flurries for the past couple of days. And the frigid winds just won't go away!

For a long time I've wanted a pair of shoes for this time of the year that will keep my feet warm and dry during mud season, and I've finally found a pair that fits the bill. Garden Shoes Online offers these Muck Boots, as well as lots of other neat garden shoes, gloves and other garden accessories, and though I don't normally choose to advertise on my blog, I'm adding the link in this case, because I like the product so much.

A good pair of garden shoes is the way to this gardener's heart, and they graciously offered me the chance to try them. I'm very glad I did!

We may be wishing for sunshine, but the daffodils are soaking up the rain and beginning to open their buds. They're about a week earlier than last year. The grass is greening nicely and my hubby found a patch by the outdoor furnace that actually needs mowing! That's a chore I'm not anxious to start!

I've been helping out at my favorite nursery as well as working at school, plus starting lots of seeds, so I'm not finding much time to visit all my blog friends lately. I'll be around to catch up on you as soon as time allows. Meanwhile, I hope you're enjoying all that's going on in your gardens!