Holy cow it is warm outside! Early March and we’ve had 70’s and 80’s and almost every wildflower, shrub and tree is budding. Just look at this gorgeous Golden Leadball tree with his freshly sprouted new leaves and blooms. The almost lime green color shows you how fresh this foliage really is.
And a happy “peekaboo!” from the cheerful Panises to lighten up your day!
Even Sadie had to take a sniff.
These I planted, but around the garden and fields things are popping on their own! Like this dandelion bloom. I like dandelions, do you? The bees favor them and their edible. Good for the liver they say. 🙂
The reliably blooming Windflower (anemone berlandieri) is abloom all along my pathways and fields.
It is one of the first wildflowers to make it’s appearance in early March here and it’s obvious many critters appreciate it. Below there is a little spider feeding on an unfortunate Syrphid fly that was taking advantage of the early pollen. I love Syrphid flies since their nymphs will feed on many small pests such as aphids in the garden.
What I want to know is how did the spider knowthat there would be some scrumptious snack waiting to be eaten on this newly blossomed flower. Smart suckers indeed.
Bees are back on the ever reliable desert mallow. This plant amazes me every time it blooms. And it’s a tough drought and cold hardy plant. I have added two more to my garden for that early spring color. My bees will probably appreciate it too.
We’ve had very little rain until this morning and it has benefited Four Nerve daisies all around the yard. These are a wonderful native plant addition to the garden for their cheerful early flush of color.They reseed readily and their seedlings are easily removed to be transplanted in another area of my garden that needs a little more dazzle.
More anemones of varied shades.
If you click on the image below you will see that there is a little spider waving “Hello!” on the top left corner of the left flower. 🙂
The Blackhaw Viburnum is almost there! So many buds ready to bloom. Once it does it will be quite the attraction. And then later it will provide beautiful blue berries for the birds. Love this plant. 
My lemons and blueberries are happily flowering too. The bees absolutely love these guys. If it weren’t for them pollinating these trees I’d have to do it myself. Thank you bees!
Blueberry blossoms.
My deer muhly grass has already somewhat recovered from it’s recent hair cut. It will definitely benefit from the abundant rains we had this morning.
Some newly planted snapdragons.
I just LOVE the color of the grass this time of year before it turns brown in summer again.
The Veggie garden looks great and….
the pond looks neat from a distance. I have lots and lots of cleaning time ahead of me though.
My Texas Betony is just about ready to burst. I wonder if it will be in time for the first hummingbirds of the season.
Some straggler autumn leaves on the Hackberry tree near the new blooms that are just about to open. Most people think Hackberries are junk trees, but I beg to differ. It is a phenomenal tree.
Drought tolerant and cold hardy. The fruit is popular with winter birds, especially Cedar Waxwings, Mockingbirds and Robins, and it attracts many butterfly species including American snout, Comma, Hackberry, Mourning cloak, Tawny emperor and Question mark.
Not to be ignored of course is the trustee Texas Redbud tree. This year we didn’t have too cold a late freeze to damage these blooms thank goodness.
But nothing could prepare me for the stunning surprise of what I found during my a walk around my yard today.
A Mexican plum in full bloom! Oh my goodness. The flies, bees and butterflies alike are so enamored with this tree that it was positively buzzing.
And the scent is just heavenly. While standing underneath it feels like a spiritual experience. Dappled sun rays kissing my skin, soft white petals gently falling to the damp earth around me, while so many beings are enjoying it’s splendor. It’s like standing underneath an abundant ray of hope and love.
See why I love spring? 😀