Lucky timing

We've lived here for decades, and I can count on one hand the times I've seen a snake.  Here's the one I saw today while appreciating the wildflowers and tree blossoms in the back yard.  

Wildflowers along a stream

April 10, 2026, Ringoes, NJ 

New appearance

Yesterday, this wasn't in our back yard.  Today, a few clumps of verbena appeared near the stump of a red maple.  I found images of the same kind of flower in the same area and dated July 2025, so if it's not a perennial, it self-seeded.

 

Only one

The back yard has a growing number of dandelions, to go with the speedwell and the violets.  Today, this yellow flower appeared for the first time, and was the only one of its kind in the yard.  A quick search reveals it to be mock strawberry, and likely more of its kind will follow throughout the spring and summer.

First the speedwell, then the violets

These are growing along the sidewalk and slightly over the property line, so not ours, but still the first wood violets I've seen this spring. 

Undercover Cat

  

 Our little tabby girl has dragged the chair cover away from the arm and seat of the family room chair, along with the blue and white fleece blanket atop it that was meant to be her burrowing place.  After taking the photo, I pulled the edge back down so she could remain snuggled away from the light.

Along the front sidewalk

Always glad to see the creeping speedwell emerge in our yard.  It's a sign of spring.