What's Blooming Now

Okay, I'll give everyone a break from the snowy skiing posts and show you what spring is currently like in my neck of the woods.

My hubby planted several dozen tulips in our front yard.  Sadly, none of them came up.....seems the soil in the flower bed is not good.  It's too full of clay and doesn't drain, so all of the bulbs he planted last fall rotted in place (heavy sigh....)

Luckily, he thought to plant some tulips in the backyard flower bed, and they've been doing quite nicely.  So I have a few tulips to photograph!

While driving home a week ago, I noticed a pink dogwood tree in bloom on a neighboring street.  The setting sun was lighting it up so nicely, I vowed to return and catch it the following evening. 

Not only did a capture those gorgeous pink blossoms, I also found a lovely two-color tulip nicely backlit by the setting sun.

Is there anything prettier than pink dogwood blossoms?  I don't think so.

Around here, spring is one continuous spectacle of color.  First, we had the daffodils, then the tulips and cherry trees, and now it's the dogwood's turn.

Although I'm sad that ski season is nearing the end, I love the longer daylight hours, and enjoy the procession of colorful flowers unfurling throughout the spring months.

Stay tuned - in another couple weeks, I'll update you again on "what's blooming now!"


Sharing with:  Friday Floral Fotos

Dogwood Delights

Spring is such a lovely time in the Pacific Northwest.  During March, April, and May trees and flowers bloom in stages.  First are the cherry trees and daffodils, then come the tulips along with apple and pear trees.  But right around late April, my favorite trees erupt in color.

That's right - the dogwoods!

Luckily, I needn't travel far to find a dogwood tree in bloom.  My neighborhood has many to chose from, in both dazzling white and lovely pink colors.

These flowering trees make perfect photo subjects.

On a different note - there's something I need to get off my chest.  Last week I attended a conference for work.  In one of the presentations, I was surprised to discover one of the photographs from my blog being used in a slideshow - without my permission.  I was shocked and upset.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that my photographs are copyrighted material, and use without my written permission is not allowed. 

I spent many hours creating images, downloading, sorting, processing, and editing my photographs.  I enjoy sharing these with you on my blog.  But these images are my property, and I'm very protective of them.  I have the right to decide who, how, where, and when my photographs are used.

This is why I don't allow copying of photographs without my written consent.  This includes pinning my images to Pinterest.  Once photographs are pinned to someone's board, I lose the ability to regulate their use. 

Please remember to respect the work of photographers.  Never use a photograph without first obtaining permission.  If someone does allow you to use their image, be sure and give the photographer proper credit.

Thank you.


Sharing with:  Weekly Top Shot.

Powell Butte

Before I begin my latest adventure tale, I'd like to say "thank you" to all my readers.  Thank you for visiting, commenting, and following my blog, either on Google Friend Connect, or my newly-established Facebook page.  Thanks to the folks who are frequent commenters, especially Kim at Snug Harbor Bay (who comments almost every time) and Hendrik at Hiking in Finland, who has featured some of my posts in his "Week in Review" compilations.

I'd love getting to know more of my readers, so if you're a regular visitor, please consider following my blog through Google Friend Connect, or "liking" Linda's Lens on Facebook (links on the right sidebar).  You'll receive a notification every time I update the blog.  And I really enjoy hearing from my readers, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment. 

Bright flowers along the path

Now on to today's story...... this is from two weekends ago.  After my amazing ski trip up to Illumination Saddle, I woke up the next day tired and sore.  Although skiing was in my plans for the day, it became quickly apparent this was not gonna happen. 

Poor Bear had to stay leashed

My dog Bear, however, had tons of energy.  While I was up on the mountain, he'd been napping in his doghouse.  Since today's ski trip was off, I decided to take my pup for a hike somewhere with the sole aim being to tire him out. 

Spring color

I'm still missing some of the Portland area trails in my quest to visit all of the hikes in Sullivan's "100 Hikes" book.  Not wanting to drive too far, I consulted my book for a new place to visit in the metro area.  I landed on Powell Butte Nature Park.  This park is located in far southeast Portland.  It occupies an old volcanic cone that sits high above the surrounding neighborhoods.  The Portland Water Bureau has a huge reservoir buried underneath this butte.  Not wanting any development over a critical water supply, PWB turned the hillside into a park.

Remnants of a pioneer orchard

It was a rare sunny, warm spring day.  Wishing to beat the heat, I decided to get an early start.  Upon arriving at the park, I realized being an early bird had other benefits - like getting a parking spot in a small, crowded lot.  As I was soon to discover, Powell Butte is a popular place on sunny weekend days.

Cool gnarled trees

Unfortunately for Bear, the park had very strict leash rules.  There was to be no romping and playing for my doggie.  But Bear was so happy to be somewhere new, he didn't care.  There were interesting things to smell, other dogs and people to meet, and abundant bushes to pee on.

Path through a lush forest

The park had many trail choices for hikers.  I first headed straight for the summit, where an old pioneer orchard still stands.  The families who originally settled here in the 1800s planted walnut, apple and pear trees.  The gnarled branches of the old trees are especially scenic.  The south and west side of the summit loop trail provided nice views into Portland.  The Cascade peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens were visible to the north and east.  There was a picnic table on top, and this looked to be a great spot for a scenic lunch.

The dogwood trees were blooming

At the next junction, I chose the woodsy Mt. Hood trail, which dived into a lush forest of Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and red cedar.  I felt as if I was entering the gorge or the forests near Mt. Hood, instead of a park within Portland city limits.  Temps were already heating up, and the cool shade of the trees was most welcome.  The path was even muddy and wet in many places.  The Mt. Hood trail was so nice, I extended my hike to include the next forested loop (the Cedar Grove trail, I think).

 

Lovely dogwood flower

Emerging from the pleasant wooded loops, the next path took visitors back into a broad meadow.  And, to my delight, this meadow was inhabited by several wild dogwood trees in full bloom.  I absolutely love dogwood flowers.  Out came the camera to capture some low-hanging blossoms.

 

Faint Mt St. Helens view

Three hours later, I returned to my car with a tired dog, and a few nice images in my camera.  By now it was near noon, and the place was hopping with people and dogs.  A car waited patiently for me to leave so it could take my parking spot.

I was glad to get outside and check out a new park with my pup.  Especially on a rare sunny spring day.  It's always fun to discover another pocket of wilderness so close to home!