Spring wildflowers

Wildflowers are blooming at Smith Lake.  The back yard is dotted with White Dogtooth Violets.  They are naturalized through the lawn and many will succumb to the lawn mower once they have finished blooming. They are so unlike purple violets, despite their name. But, what a joy it is to see these sweet flowers with petals swept back like wings from their yellow centers.  I can picture Sally Field as the Flying Nun in her white winged hat.  Are you old enough to remember?

Down by the lake-shore we find a patch of Wood Anemone.  Their blossoms were bobbing in the cool breezes coming off the blue water.  Their leaves look quite a bit like strawberry plants.  Perhaps a distant relative.

Finally, in the woodsy garden we find Merrybells.  What a lovely and cheerful name they have!  Golden yellow and hanging their bashful heads, they brighten up their little corner of the world with sunshine.

Wildflowers spring from the cool damp earth

a bright and cheery token,

A sweet sign of hope and of re-birth,

for winter's grip is broken.

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

Memorial Day weekend was bright, sunny and Warm! at Smith Lake.

It's probably the only Memorial Day Weekend in 30 years that we haven't had the heat on at the cabin.  Highs were in the 80's each day.  I'd have to say that this would be spectacular weather even for Fourth of July.  Simply amazing.

The oriole feeder had lots of customers.  Two males in their bright orange plumage courted a single female, who seemed to be enjoying all the attention.  The gentlemen sang their hearts out in glorious song beginning around 5am, and it was such a nice change from the traffic noises of the city that I didn't mind the early hour - too much.





The hummingbirds also enjoyed the bright orange nectar and zipped in and out all day for a treat.  It's hard to say how many there were, but I saw at least three all at once on Sunday afternoon.  By Monday afternoon I had to refill the feeder.

Other visitors lakeside were a flicker, goldfinches, and of course loons.  On our boat ride Monday we saw two eagles sitting high in a tree on the Smith Lake side of the potholes, just into Barbour Lake.









Sunset Saturday was very colorful, but the mosquitoes came out for their long summer picnic and we reluctantly headed indoors after a brief campfire.

Sunday evening the clouds rolled in, but no rain.  A pair of loons cruised by to see what we were up to before diving down to enjoy a late dinner.


Fishing was good and the guys brought in four lovely bass which we enjoyed for lunch one day along with scrambled eggs.  Rhubarb is ready at home and I brought up enough to make some tasty rhubarb muffins.  A few survived long enough to go into the freezer to be enjoyed on our next visit to Smith Lake.

Wishing you beautiful sunsets,

Jean