a wooden bridge over a river with mossy rocks ALT: a wooden bridge over a river with mossy rocks

water under the bridge🌹

Good morning #Bluesky!

My dog dragged me outside for an early morning walk. I’m glad he did or I would have missed #sunrise.

#ECK #EastCoastKin

Crocuses

Woo!! My Crocuses are up 🥰 !!

A large yellow-and-black swallowtail butterfly rests on a rounded cluster of vivid magenta flowers growing on a tall stem beside a dry garden path. Its wings are spread wide in some views, showing bold black tiger-like stripes and long tail extensions on the hind wings. Surrounding the flower are pale green leaves, dry soil, scattered stones, and patches of low ground cover, with sunlight creating sharp highlights and shadows across the scene.

A large yellow-and-black swallowtail butterfly rests on a rounded cluster of vivid magenta flowers growing on a tall stem beside a dry garden path. Its wings are spread wide in some views, showing bold black tiger-like stripes and long tail extensions on the hind wings. Surrounding the flower are pale green leaves, dry soil, scattered stones, and patches of low ground cover, with sunlight creating sharp highlights and shadows across the scene.

A large yellow-and-black swallowtail butterfly rests on a rounded cluster of vivid magenta flowers growing on a tall stem beside a dry garden path. Its wings are spread wide in some views, showing bold black tiger-like stripes and long tail extensions on the hind wings. Surrounding the flower are pale green leaves, dry soil, scattered stones, and patches of low ground cover, with sunlight creating sharp highlights and shadows across the scene.

Caught this butterfly resting on a bright patch of flowers during my walk today. It stayed just long enough for a few clear photos before drifting off again before I moved on. Always appreciate those little moments when nature decides to pause for you. #BloomScrolling #InsectThursday

More flowers from my walks. Can you spot the bug?

#bloomscrolling #flowers #insectthursday

Close-up photo of a single pale pink wildflower growing low among dry grass, leaf litter, and green groundcover on a trail edge. The flower has five broad petals with faint darker pink veins radiating outward from a pale center. In the middle is a prominent white central column tipped with tiny pale yellow pollen-bearing structures. Around the bloom are several unopened buds and rounded green leaves with soft edges. The background is softly blurred, showing dry tan grasses, small twigs, and patches of sunlight filtering across the ground.

Close-up photo of several small bright pink wildflowers blooming on a slender upright stem surrounded by green leaves and dry grasses. Each flower has five petals with darker pink veins and a pale center, with multiple buds clustered near the top of the stem waiting to open. The blossoms stand out against a softly blurred background of green foliage, dry tan grass, and woodland undergrowth, with sunlight catching parts of the leaves and petals.

Another walk through Empire Mine trails turned up a few little pink wildflowers in different spots along the trail. Small flowers, but worth stopping for once you notice the details up close. Grass Valley, California. #bloomscrolling #Wildflowers #EmpireMine #GrassValley #CaliforniaNature

National Geographic Award winning photograph of the year.
So beautiful. 🐝🐝🐝

Spring is here 🦋

Close-up photo of a pale pink common mallow flower with soft darker pink veins radiating from the center. Several fuzzy pink buds and green rounded leaves surround the bloom, with sunlight highlighting the petals against a soft green background.

Always keeping an eye out for flowers on my walks, and these caught my attention today. It took a few tries, but I finally got a photo I liked. Taken at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley. #Bloomscroll #Wildflowers #GrassValley #CaliforniaNature

A red rose in full bloom with green leaves behind it.

Saw this beauty outside of my pharmacy.

Cherry blossoms in Japan.

Found a friendly little millipede

#nature #photography

🌸🩷

Shingashigawa River in Saitama, Japan 🇯🇵 Cherry Blossoms 🌸 Sakura 🌸

Closeup of a small yellow flower with two new buds on either side.

Saw this in our garden yesterday. Pretty little bit of yellow.

#bloomscroll #flower #nature

Close-up of a white bear clover flower with five slightly uneven petals and a bright yellow center, surrounded by dense fern-like green leaves. The background is softly blurred with more green foliage.

Small yellow star tulip blooming low to the ground among dry pine needles, twigs, and leaves. The flower has six pointed petals and sits beside a long green blade of grass on the forest floor.

Went through the Empire Mine trails again today and spotted two familiar spring visitors from last year: bear clover and a yellow star tulip. Always nice seeing these foothill blooms return. #EmpireMine #SierraFoothills #Wildflowers #SpringInCalifornia #NatureWalk

A close-up photo of an orange and black painted lady butterfly resting on a cluster of bright pink red valerian flowers. The butterfly’s wings are spread open, showing black markings and white spots near the tips. Blue-green leaves and large green foliage fill the background in bright sunlight.

Saw a painted lady butterfly resting on some red valerian during my walk today. Nice little burst of color in the sun. #Butterfly #PaintedLady #RedValerian #NaturePhotography #CaliforniaNature #Wildflowers

Two overlapping white five petaled strawberry blooms and a smaller still green bud sitting on top of greenery and a cement block.

Two little strawberry blossoms I saw in my garden this morning.

#bloom #flower #strawberry #photo

Two orange California poppies, closeup, with a blurry background of greenery.

A couple of poppies in closeup. I found these beauties in a neighbors street side garden.

#flowers #California #photography

Close-up photo of several bright yellow dandelion flowers growing among green grass and stems, with one large bloom in sharp focus and smaller flowers surrounding it.

Close-up of a vivid orange California poppy bloom lit by sunlight, showing delicate silky petals and the flower’s orange center, with soft green foliage in the background.

Close-up of a small cluster of purple wildflowers on a thin stem, surrounded by green leaves and blurred ground cover in the background.

Short walk around the neighborhood today. Lots of flowers out right now, so I stopped to photograph a few favorites. Spring is putting on a good show. #Spring #Flowers #NaturePhotography #California```

Close-up photograph of pale pink blossoms on a tree branch. The flowers have five soft pink petals each, with darker pink to red centers and yellow-tipped stamens. Several unopened buds appear deep pink and rounded along the reddish-brown stem. The background is softly blurred, showing many more blossoms covering the tree branches against a muted sky, creating a dreamy early-spring atmosphere.

Saw this blooming tree on my walk to church this morning. Pretty sure it’s a flowering plum. The soft pink petals and red centers were glowing in the morning light. Spring is definitely on its way.

#Spring #FloweringPlum #NatureWalk #NorthernCalifornia #ChurchWalk #PinkBlossoms

A yellow plate on a wooden table holding a hamburger on a soft bun topped with lettuce and tomato, a side of grilled mixed vegetables including peppers, onions, potatoes, and broccoli, and a small dollop of ranch dressing. Two orange slices sit on the plate next to the burger. To the left is a separate yellow dish filled with glossy, seasoned sweet potato fries. Behind the plate is a tall glass of Mountain Dew Baja Blast filled with ice.

Had Diego’s for lunch today. Got a hamburguesa with grilled veggies, papas dulces on the side, and a Baja Blast to drink. Tasty, though I suspect it would’ve been even better eaten fresh in the restaurant.

#Diegos #Burgers #SweetPotatoFries #Takeout #Lunch #FoodPost

A plate on a diner counter holding a bacon cheeseburger on a soft bun, a generous pile of seasoned sweet potato fries, and a small metal cup of ranch dressing, with a tall glass of iced tea in the background.

Really good bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries at Pepe’s Cafe in downtown Grass Valley. I’ll be back.

#GrassValley #Burgers #SweetPotatoFries #LocalFood

A freshly done tattoo on the upper arm depicting a detailed ponderosa pine tree. The tree has a tall brown trunk and layered green branches, with light redness visible around the skin from the recent tattooing process.

Fresh ponderosa pine tattoo by Teddy at Dream Ink Tattoo in Grass Valley.
#tattoo #ponderosaPine #treeTattoo #GrassValley #NevadaCounty #ink

A gray-brown geometer moth with triangular wings and mottled bark-like patterns resting on a white wall.

Found a beautiful moth on my wall today. Turns out it’s an Oak Winter Highflier (Hydriomena nubilofasciata). I love the quiet, bark-like camouflage. Tiny moments of nature showing up indoors are always a joy.

#Moths #Nature #GeometerMoth #Wildlife #NorthernCalifornia

Close-up of a small green plant with delicate leaves sprouting from decaying wood and forest debris on the ground, with pine needles and bark fragments around it.

Forest trail winding through tall pine trees under a bright blue sky, with sunlight filtering through the branches and greenery along the path.

Young pine sapling growing from the forest floor, surrounded by pine needles and moss, with thin branches and long green needles spreading outward.

Went for a quiet walk today and found a tiny plant growing out of an old rotting log. I love how the forest is full of small, easy-to-miss moments like this. Sometimes the little details are the most beautiful part of a walk.

#nature #forest #smallthings #walking #outdoors

Close-up of pink flower buds clustered on a red stem with green leaves, growing along a forest trail.

Upward view of a tall pine tree with a textured trunk and branches spreading out against a bright blue sky.

A rusted metal pipe lying on the forest floor, partially covered by pine needles, branches, and small plants.

Bright green lichen growing on the rough bark of a tree trunk.

Another walk through the Empire Mine trails today. Noticed some pink flower buds, bright green lichen on a tree, and an old rusted pipe left over from the mining days. I really love how this place blends quiet forest moments with bits of history.

#EmpireMine #TrailWalk #NevadaCounty

A narrow dirt trail winding through tall pine trees at Empire Mine State Historic Park, with sunlight filtering through the canopy and casting soft shadows on the path.

A dense forest scene with tall pine trunks, green undergrowth, and patches of sunlight illuminating the forest floor at Empire Mine.

Close-up of bright yellow Scotch broom flowers with pea-shaped petals growing on green stems, set against a softly blurred forest background.

I went on a nice walk this morning through the Empire Mine trails. The morning light through the trees was really peaceful, and the bright yellow Scotch broom along the path added a nice pop of color. A good way to start the day.
#MorningWalk #Nature #EmpireMine #NevadaCity #TrailTime

Three beef fajitas on soft flour tortillas arranged on a yellow plate, topped with sautéed bell peppers, onions, rice, and red salsa. A tall glass of horchata sits behind the plate on a wooden dining table.

Tried Taqueria El Taco Loco in Nevada City tonight. I ordered the beef fajitas with flour tortillas, rice and beans, and a large horchata. The fajitas were excellent with the red salsa, and dipping the chips in the beans was a perfect combo.

#NevadaCity #LocalEats #Taqueria #MexicanFood #FoodPost

pretty!