I’m pretty sure that the universe really wants me to post some photos of flowers today. Why, you ask? Three reasons, primarily. First, Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge is FLOWERS. Second, the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is SPRING. And third (and most importantly of all), my yard is in full bloom!!! Look at the beautiful spectacle I was greeted with upon arriving home from work today. Spring is really here!!!
In addition to the blossoming pink cherry trees that line the street in front of our house we also have weeping cherry, pear, and crabapple trees that are all blooming. Combine those with my daffodils, viburnum, vinca, and potted dahlias and that makes for a pretty amazing Spring scene!
Unfortunately the deer have also realized that Spring has arrived and they are doing their best to gobble up the tasty tulips and azaleas as quickly as they can grow. This was never a problem in the past because Bailey patrolled the yard like it was her job, but it has now become clear that the deer have learned that their german shorthaired nemesis is no longer around to harass them.
Here’s an example of deer destruction in my tulip bed. Photo 1 is from last summer, 2 is what the baby tulips looked like in late March before we went to California, and 3 is what they look like now. Ack!! I have since pushed several pointy sticks into the flower bed (photo 4) to try to prevent the deer from wedging their heads in to snack… it’s not pretty but so far it has worked!
All deer issues aside, after the long, cold winter we had it is really wonderful to finally experience Spring. I’m going to try to spend as much time as possible outside enjoying the weather this weekend, starting off with a 5K trail race tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
The Little GSP 
Your photos are so gorgeous! I really should have waited a day and banged out both challenges at once, haha.
My tulips were ravaged by squirrels (or possibly Spike) this year, but only the ones along my deck. The ones in the front of the house were fine… except they were really short. I guess the bipolar weather stunted their growth a bit.
Hopefully it wasn’t Spike who ravaged your tulips. More likely sneaky squirrels. Squirrels and deer are the worst! 🙂
He doesn’t eat the tulips; he likes to dig up the beds to lay in the fresh dirt
You take such wonderful photographs!
Thanks Aimee!
These are great — especially after the crazy winter and what seemed like nonstop rain you had just recently! Love the colors of, well, everything. Spring is definitely not so colorful in central Arizona. Shame about the tulips; they’re one of my favorite flowers!
So many pretty pictures – thanks for sharing!
Annie, Your trees are beautiful right now. What a drag about the deer !! We’re used to the damage but you two aren’t. I’ve learned not to plant a lot of tulips and no azaleas or rhododendrons in the backyard.
Spectacular photo of your street lined with the blooming cherry trees.