Against the dull grey skies of winter, the azalea is luminous in spring color. I couldn't resist bringing this one home from our local grocery store the other day. Wrapped with bright red cellophane, I think it was left over from Valentine's Day. I removed the wrapping and gave it a new home in this
wicker and tin planter.
The other morning we also had some visitors who refreshed our perspective, even though they were here for just a few moments. In the early morning light we caught a glimpse of our local elk herd migrating along the edge of our field. About seventy strong, these majestic creatures gave us an intimate glimpse into, and a reminder of, the larger world of wonder outside our door.
I was able to get a quick photo, although the fallen branches from our winter ice storm several weeks ago obscured the herd. These elk have migrated through our property since long, long before we arrived. They reminded us that, in a sense, we are the real visitors on this land.
It was one day in a whole year. And within that day, it happened for just a few brief minutes. We were lucky and just happened to be looking out the window when the seventy or so elk streamed through, ever so quietly. It was a beautiful thing to witness, and makes us so very humble to be a part of this great glorious world filled with so many majestic and amazing creatures.
and to think i get excited about squirrels! xo janet
ReplyDeleteAmazing what a pop of color can do for your spirit! Love your home.
ReplyDeleteSara, Massillon, Ohio
It's so great to see spring flowers and plants. I love knowing better weather is right around the corner. You're family and home is simply lovely.
ReplyDeleteAshley
The Azalea is so gorgeous - a happy spot in the room....the elk are magnificent - wow 70 of them! What a treat...the children will love growing up surrounded by the beauty and wonder of nature.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sight that must have been . . . a treasure never forgotten.
ReplyDeleteYour touch of spring brought the end to my day thinking about pinks, yellows and blues. Tomorrow I need to purchase some tulips . . .
Both captures and sights are very beautiful. I have never seen a standardised azalea before, simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteMigratory elks, something out of my world (kangaroos maybe, but they don't migrate).
Wow how amazing! We only have deer ( who ate my lilies last summer). Love post Valentine flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a privilege - what a moment - a sort of blessing.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with azalea bushes outside my bedroom window in California. So beautiful! Can't grow in Colorado. We see the Elk when we visit Rocky Mtn. National Park. Last year amazed by the moose up near Walden. Thank-you for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an unexpected, delightful sight to see those elk. Nature is glorious.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful creatures they are you are so right about were the visitor's! Have a great start of the week!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog:)Great pics and so much inspiration...I wish you a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
I really like your blog:)Great pics and so much inspiration...I wish you a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)
The azalea is just beautiful I would also have had to take it home!
ReplyDeleteIt is magic isn't it when a chance glance can reveal such beauty!
Wow! Isn't it amazing to be close to creatures who are living wild and free? Last winter we watched a group of wild pigs snuffling around on the wooded hillside across from our kitchen window and it was so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteYour azalea is lovely and so cheerful for these grey winter days.
oxoxoxo
Trina, I love your previous post on the elk herd. So nice to see them again this year! You were lucky to have just looked out the window as they were passing through. What a treat! Did the twins get to see them? They are lucky children to get to grow up in such a beautiful place -- both your home and the wild, spectacular land you live on!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Trina, what a beautiful topiary! I love your eye for color and grace.
ReplyDeleteAnd what an indescribable treat to notice the elk herd passing with your attention drawn to them at the very same moment - I SO love when that happens (all of which is never by chance!). The orchestration of this brilliantly complex, majestic, and conflicting world is beyond anything we have ever imagined.
Love! ♥
WOW to see the beauty of Elk must be amazing!! Those amazing animals that God has created!! Your home and blog are so beautiful!!! I am so ready and excited for spring!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific that you were able to snap a picture of the visiting elk. I'm waiting for the tundra swans to come near here on their journey back to the Artic - by here, I don't mean on my property - but to the local watering stop about 10 miles from here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sights Trina. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe azalea is sooo lovely!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
paola
What a treat to be at just the right window at just the right time to witness the herd migrating.
ReplyDeleteI've only seen such a sight once - in Wyoming many years ago. It is a treasured memory.
Enjoy those lovely azaleas!
I found your blog from Her Southern Charm, and am so glad I did! Renovating a farm house (and farm life) is my dream and it is so fun reading about your experience. I pinned your incredible kitchen at http://pinterest.com/thecharmedlifek/. Thank you for sharing your adventures with your readers!
ReplyDeleteTrina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the majestic experience of witnessing the Elk. I've had similar times on our farm; most recently posted about the Bald Eagles that nest on the river that lines our property. We are both blessed.
Love the contrast the pop of color your flowers give against the white walls.
Deborah
Spring is on the way!
ReplyDeleteLissy Parker
I have some pink tulips on my kitchen table as I write this - and snow falling outside. They're an antidote to any winter blues that creep in. Just like your lovely pink azaleas.
ReplyDeleteThat's so neat to see the elk! And those flowers are absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh what a glorious sight that must have been. You really do live in wonderland!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see the elk herd! One of life's little moments.
ReplyDeleteThat azalea is such a vibrant glimpse of spring. Dorothy Draper would love it!
ReplyDeletexo E + J
What a sight having elk in the garden!
ReplyDeleteWe have deer here and they can charge people and dogs when they feel threatened, imagine coming up to an elk!
I like very much how you have potted up the pink azalea. It such a cheery shade of pink.
Beautiful! Both the elk and the azalea.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it always amazing to see wildlife travel through the yard?! We get deer, elk, bear, and bob cats. Takes my breath away every time I see them!
ReplyDeleteLovely Azalea! I crave color at this time of year. The Pacific Northwest is do dark and bare right now.
leslie
Lovely flowers and how amazing to capture that photo of the Elk. ~Ashley
ReplyDeleteThe azalea is fabulous, I love how the stems are intertwined.
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic to have the joy of seeing the migrating elk sharing your land :o) Thank you for sharing.
The elk must just be amazing! I believe I would stand in awe, too. The azalea is beautiful. I purchase flowers and plants often at the grocery store when my own yard is dormant.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the prettiest azaleas I've ever seen, and just perfect in front of your window. The elk migration sounds awesome, in the truest sense of the word. You really were lucky to see it!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely moment!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers. They do make a gray day bright! I loved passing through migration areas when I lived in Idaho. It always excited me.
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness, I get excited about deer and you have 70 ELK "strooling" through your property!!! Gorgeous. Sorry the branches obstructed the view. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the wonder at seeing seventy elk.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing sight that must have been....and to think you got a picture of it.....awesome timing :o)
ReplyDelete~Des
PS. I am now following you on Google...hope you will follow me back :o)
What a gift! With creatures and creation so beautiful, can you imagine the majesty of The Creator? How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou *know* you live in a special place when a herd of 70 Elk strolls through your backyard...amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour sweet azalea tree looks very happy in her new home...you can tell she appreciates her surroundings very much...so pretty, I love her braided trunk.
xo J~
Beautiful Azalea, what a nice pop of color. I live in Alberta Canada near Banff, we get a lot of elk here as well. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog, love it and love your style! Glad I found you! Lizzie x
ReplyDeleteThat azalea is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteNo elk here in northern Texas, but when I lived in Indiana, we often had deer wandering in our yard - I love deer :)
Oh how I would love to have sights like that from my home windows !
ReplyDeleteI have to move , live in the countryside :)
The Azalea is just perfect in that planter, on that table. Lovely ~
Maravilloso, muchas gracias por mostrarnóslo, yo nunca había visto algo así. Menos acá en Costa Rica.
ReplyDeleteseventy elk! you must be so glad you got a picture to capture the moment. how amazing!
ReplyDeletecreation captured.
ReplyDeleteamazing.
It makes my heart skip a beat when I see the deer walk through our yard into the woods or catch a glimpse of a Baltimore Oriole. How lucky are you to see so many elk!
ReplyDeleteSuch contrast between the azaleas and the elk. Wow!
ReplyDelete