Sunday, April 24, 2011

Madison

We've had our share of rain and sleet this week - and games of cribbage, dancing with the Wii and late-night conversations with my sister and brother-in-law - but during the windows of fair weather we got outside to walk with family...
Friday we went to one of my favorite places in Madison: the arboretum.  There were some tender signs of spring...I love the slow unfurling of new buds; this bloodroot looks like it has a little coat on, doesn't it?
New mayapples, still wrapped up...
The gem of the walk was finding a pair of sandhill cranes in the wetlands.  The girls were running along the boardwalk when they heard a clacking noise - the startled cranes were clacking their beaks in alarm, so they slowed down and stood watching them preen and hunt.
This is a place I have walked with my grandma. How I love walking there with my mom and my kids.

5 comments:

Kerry said...

Beautiful, Debbie.

Yesterday when were on a walk we heard the crrruks overhead: a flock of 11 cranes spiraling out of sight above us: mesmerizing.

Dan said...

those cranes are tough to spot!

Helena said...

What beautiful photos! I love the birds, and the tranquility of you all walking, watching, listening, waiting… lovely. I also love the idea of your family walking the same paths and spaces—your grandma, your mom, you, your kids…it's a lovely feeling of connection and continuity. Thank you for sharing your day!

denise said...

Beautiful! :) That is one of our favorite places to go for walks...the trails were too muddy for awhile, but I bet they were really nice this weekend. Great crane shots.

Stephanie said...

Wonderful! I so love exploring our wetlands.
I'm glad you're having such a lovely vacation.