![\"DSCN2897\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-uqlhTWf6K2I\/TglhfZ9h1BI\/AAAAAAAAGxI\/f-qggRBlTWM\/s1600-h\/DSCN2897%25255B7%25255D.jpg\" "\\"DSCN2897\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nSpring has truly sprung. The birds have gone wild: <\/p>\n
This is a Karate Kid \/ Dirty Harry quail, leering at me with a \u2018go ahead, make my day\u2019 stare, ready to kick my head off with his one good remaining foot: <\/p>\n And the animals have come out of Winter hibernation: <\/p>\n And we have a bazillion-bunch of flowers! These are some amazing 4 color Clematis we almost cut down in early spring because the branches looked dead:<\/p>\n This flower picture is interesting, our first yellow rose, next to the house looking over the back yard. If you look close (click for a bigger pic), you can see two birds flying past. This photo was done with a \u2018HDR\u2019 option on my camera which takes two photos, different exposures, then combines them. It came out kind of like the birds have shadows \u2026 in the sky!<\/p>\n I have a more flower pictures here:<\/p>\n https:\/\/picasaweb.google.com\/brucewinter\/House_flowers<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/picasaweb.google.com\/brucewinter\/House_flowers_unknown<\/a><\/p>\n If anyone recognizes any of the flowers in that 2nd group, let me know. I\u2019m trying to learn their names, so I don\u2019t offend them.<\/p>\n We have had lots of fun visits in the last month, starting with our friends Vlad and Maria from New York City. We got them addicted to the buckyball magnets:<\/p>\n We touristed Temple Square:<\/p>\n And a visitors center where this little girl was visiting with Jesus:<\/p>\n Then Mom and Dad came for their first visit!<\/p>\n Mom brought some Irises and very kindly helped me tame a bunch of other flowers:<\/p>\n And then took a well deserved break:<\/p>\n We took our first swim with them. Dad took this photo of me taking my first dive (ok, 2nd, camera lag got the first one):<\/p>\n Noah came the next weekend. You may recognize Mom\u2019s hand in that floral arrangement:<\/p>\n Irena and Boris have been very busy. After finishing the remodeling of their house, they rebuilt their back yard, adding a gazebo and 20+ rose bushes:<\/p>\n Abby is helping Irena inventory her cloths, hoping to find a place to sell them:<\/p>\n Helen\u2019s fascination with cactus has spread to our backyard. She is convinced she can grow, harvest, and eat these nasty guys:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n