SPRINGTIME 2021, Week 4: Last week's Early Bird, er, Bush, is doing well, so let's start this week with the Tulip Magnolia, which I call the butterfly bush since it attracts them in droves. The flowers have begun to recede, partly because it's time for the leaves to appear and partly because the rains have taken quite a few as well. In the background is the pond, which will begin to disappear next week. The trees are all budding out, although they can't be seen in the pictures yet....

Next, a second view of the tulip magnolia, taken from the walkway to the fire pit. The perennials in the foreground have all started popping through the mulch bed and begun to blossom. Unfortunately so have the weeds....

Here's my usual pond view, taken today from the lower deck area (that's Rusty in the lower left checking for intruders). If you look carefully, there are hints of green in the trees in the distance. I also expect the ferns that are below the retaining wall where Russ is sitting to make their appearance soon.

And finally -- our future yard, once the barn is in place, the gravel from the old driveway removed, and fresh lawn soil put down.

Maybe by the time for 'falling leaves' pictures....