Spring made a quick appearance a few weeks ago with the blooming of flowers…

A couple of weeks ago I happened to be standing on Jeffery’s balcony enjoying the sunshine when a hummingbird flew by. I stood there watching it for a few minutes when it suddenly flew within just a couple of feet of my face. It’s a little freaky to have a hummingbird that close… sounds like a very large bee! I tried to stand really still to see what it would do. It flew off, but kept coming back. After about a half hour of this it finally landed in the tree next to the balcony. I took a close look and saw there was a nest. I couldn’t see any babies but, by the next day there was a small beak peaking over the top.

I have been watching it now for a couple of weeks and trying to get some photos. Being that the nest is hiding behind pine needles it has been a little difficult.

There are two babies, but I have only been able to get the one in pictures. This is one of the newborns … looking pretty ugly:

The momma feeding her babies:

This is from today. It is hard to see the baby as it seems to be blending in better with the nest now.

So with all of this new life it would seem like spring is definitely here. But then last night we had a very late storm and I woke up to this beautiful sight this morning. I am enjoying every last bit of cold weather we get because I know the heat of summer is coming:

Have you ever observed a hummingbird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowers – a living prismatic gem…. it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description.
~ W.H. Hudson

I went out for coffee with a fellow photographer, Nancy Orozco, a couple of days ago. We have been trying to meet every week or so to talk business, brainstorm, and basically keep each other accountable in getting things done. Not only is she beautiful, she has a great eye for photography and a head for business. It’s been very encouraging to talk to her.

She showed up on Wednesday in this cute spring outfit… nothing really special, just jeans and a cute top and some sandals. And there I sat in my black polo shirt and black shoes feeling very “wintery”. Seeing her I thought I really ought to get out and buy at least a pair of sandals. The weather has been in the 80′s all week and I know it won’t get that cold again so it’s time.

I ended up at Kohl’s yesterday and found some cute sandals, but then had the thought that my feet looked horrible. Months of running, wearing tennis shoes, walking all over… not pretty. Now, you have to understand that I never get pedicures. I don’t feel comfortable spending money on myself. I remembered, though, that I had some Christmas money sitting on my desk that I had been saving for something… wasn’t sure what, but I wanted it to be something I wouldn’t normally do. The pedicure was it.

What a wonderful treat. Now I feel like I my feet can actually be seen in public without shame or embarrassment. Happy Spring!

It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!
~ Mark Twain

I have been wanting to get to these flowers for a few weeks now and finally made it today. Altho Google Maps said it would take about 2 hours, it ended up being closer to 3. Tehachapi is beautiful country and well worth it, though. It’s hard to keep your eyes on the road when everywhere you look is filled with color. If you want to find the wildflowers during spring in California there is a great site that tells you exactly where to go:  Carol Leigh’s Wildflower Hotsheet

If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.

~ Audra Foveo