Green, Green, It's Green They Say - -

Spring time is green time in Washington - everything bursts forth in the most beautiful shades of green.

 The raspberry fields are ready for this year's crop - and we are ready too - not long until they are ripe.

 The workers bend the vines over and secure them to wires running  between the posts.  The bending makes the plant sprout more side branches and grow more raspberries.  The same works with roses too, if you want a really lush rose bush.

Green covers everything as we meander down country roads.

Washington Park

A while back we took a drive out to Washington Park in Anacortes, WA.  The park is along the bluffs overlooking the San Juan Islands - with pull outs and parking spaces, walking trails, picnic areas and lots of great views.

 A good day for sailing

 Or taking the Washington State Ferry to or from the islands

Mosaic Monday - Hydrangeas

It is the beginning of hydrangea season in NW Washington State.  They grow well - and big - here and many homes and gardens feature wonderful displays.

 There are several varieties - this is the Angel Wing Hydrangea - a gift from our daughter's family.  Do you see the "wings" on the outer edge of the bloom?  I love the light and medium colors of the flowers.  They start out green and slowly turn to this lovely pink

 These cone-shaped hydrangeas are gaining popularity - and I can see why-  the huge blossoms are spectacular.

And the Lace Cap Hydrangea - with a halo of larger outer flowers.

 Big displays in yards - notice the hedges of Hydrangeas in the background also.

  

 I love their big moppy heads

 A delicate blue Angel Wing

  

 Lace Cap in blue

 Lovely purple

 This was the first cone shaped one I ever saw - it was in the garden of a new friend in Bow, Washington.

 Different colors on the same bush

 Parks and public spaces often plant hydrangeas

Mosaic Monday

Barns and Sheep

 One of my favorite farms - it sits in a little cubbyhole just on a curve in the road - which twists right up a steep hill and my drive by shots have not worked out - until now  It is so peaceful and has such a pretty stack of firewood along the side of one barn.

 Can you see why it is a favorite?  Such a sweet old farm.  There are usually some cattle in the field - just not this day.

An old barn and a chicken shed 

    I like the lines on the front of this barn - and the fruit trees in front

 Another favorite - this little farmette is on the way to Bayview, WA 

The top of the barn seems to have been damaged in the storms of this past winter.  The chickens and sheep don't seem to mind. 

 The flock of sheep and goats is growing ever year

Enjoying a bit of sunshine

The Barn Collective 

Saturday's Critters

This little bird visited our feeder last week.  He came twice in one day and then not again.

 I thought it was a Pacific-Slope Flycatcher

 And then I thought it was a Western Wood-Peewee

 But I certainly thought it was cute.

 At the beach, a Great Blue Heron, strolling along, looking for lunch

And a pretty little Anna's Hummingbird - so tiny.

Saturday's Critters