Happy Spring!

Ah Spring!  That time of year when it's  apparent we aren't in Oregon any more!    There's really not a lot to mark the change from winter here in the subtropics.   So I'm celebrating  the season with golden memories.  And adding a few photos I managed to recover from the end of our season in Oregon.  Actually that was last December, so I guess every photo in this post is an oldie.... golden or otherwise.  

 

 

Oregon daffodils, 2021

Farmers  grow a lot of grass seed in our part of Oregon.  We don't miss the Spring sneezes and wheezes that come with the start of grass season.  But I do miss my favorite Spring flowers.   We see some beautiful blooms here in Florida of course, but they tend to be more flamboyant and just not quite the same.   

In the following photos we were still in Oregon, but not quite so long ago.   These photos from last December were still on the camera when we downloaded it here last month.  We went on a day-trip to Florence on the Oregon Coast.  About 60 miles from our Oregon home, this charming coastal town is a favorite  getaway.  

 

Siuslaw River Bridge, Florence December 2024

 

It was a gorgeous day -- actually fairly typical of December in our part of Oregon.  We had a few chilly days before we left,  but mostly blue skies and mild weather.  The icy days came in January after we left (not by coincidence).   That actually is typical weather for the region,  although it definitely seems like the January ice and winds have gotten more severe in the last few years.  We count our blessings when we miss out on those days.   

Hooded Merganser, Siuslaw River, Florence Oregon

During this December day trip, we did check to make sure the Pacific Ocean was still there, knowing we wouldn't see it again for a few months.    However, the pictures are from the coastal Siuslaw River where we always stop to walk when we  go to Florence.         

 

It was exciting to see several  Hooded Mergansers enjoying the sunny day.  I've never before seen that many  of them in one place.  They were swimming quite near the shore and were fun to watch.  

 

Oregon family photo, December 2024

These two live with our daughter and son-in-law.   It never fails to amaze me the way their pets always get along so well.  And here's another golden oldie from the same household:

 

 

Literally a 'Golden Oldie' since we always called this tree a Golden Chain and the photo was taken quite a few years ago.  Sadly, it's a memorial picture now because our daughter told us that one of those recent winter windstorms completely uprooted it -- the golden chain is no more.   When I posted this exact picture years ago, I learned from fellow bloggers that the tree's official name is Laburnum.  Blogging is an educational experience -- I  appreciate all the help I can get.   

Just a bit more color for my virtual memory scrapbook:

 

Yellow flowers always seem like little spots of sunshine. 

 

Here's to more golden spring days ahead.  Thank you to all who visit and to the hosts of these sharing opportunities:

 

NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;   MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY  and SATURDAY CRITTERS;

 

    

Comments

[Michelle Keltner]

Daffs really are an essential spring flower with their yellow color. Nice mergansers! Thank you for linking up and have a great week ahead.

[Debbie]

my daffodils are blooming and i am so happy to see them and see they have expanded since last years. the tulips are next, chuck planted 450 bulbs in the fall and i am so excited to see my "surprises"!! beautiful flowers today and the golden chain tree is lovely, what a loss!!

[Traude "Rostrose"]

Dear Sallie, I find it interesting to read about the experiences of someone who knows spring, but now yo find yourself in a part of the world where the seasons (like those we also know here in Austria) don't exist. So there's a longing for daffodils and other spring-blooming flowers, even though summer flowers bloom year-round in Florida (and other consistently warm places). Spring has long been my favorite season because of the awakening of nature, but now I'm learning that it's even more special. It's a time you can long for. I also would miss daffodils, tulips, violets, primroses, ... I'll think about that next winter, when I might once again wish I lived in a consistently warmer country.
The Hooded Mergansers look very pretty!
You mentioned in your last comment to me that you don't have any animals of your own because of traveling, but your children and adult grandchildren do – I'm happy to meet two of these sweet family pets here.
What a shame that the beautiful "Golden Chain" tree no longer exists! (By the way, we call this plant Goldregen = Gold Rain.)
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/03/februar-marz-impressionen-fortsetzung.html

[Beatrice]

Sallie, as we have yet to see any spring blooms making an appearance here in Nashua, NH, it was wonderful to see these colorful blooms. THis weekend we have several days of rain, including the possibility of some wintry mix, so I'm wondering if perhaps the change of seasons will be a bit later this year.

[John's Island]

Hi Sallie, what a lovely post! Your reflections really capture that in-between feeling of seasons, especially when moving from one climate to another. And how special to spot a group of Hooded Mergansers — such striking little birds. Thanks for sharing your golden memories; they’re a breath of fresh spring air! John

[mae]

Our earliest spring flowers are white snowdrops and yellow aconite. Truly spring colors. We are a while from the dafodils!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Great wildlife and critter photos, I love the Hooded Merganser and the cute dog and cat. It is very sad that beautiful tree fell down.
The flowers are all beautiful, we are seeing the daffodils now.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter and post. Take care, have a great day and happy weekend.

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Too bad the Golden Chain was uprooted. So pretty. Sad. I love the golden daffodils.

[Yogi]

You split time in two beautiful places. I always enjoy Florida and we've only been to Oregon once but such a spectacularly beautiful place especially on the coasts.
I love your laburnum tree. I can't tell you how many times over the years my fellow bloggers have gently corrected me on various things and I do appreciate that rather than letting me perpetuate my misinformation.

[Alycia Quilts]

Beautiful. Its interesting to hear you compare both coasts. the flowers are really pretty in your photos

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Great bridge.

[Joyful]

Beautiful. That tree is gorgeous. Too bad it is no more.

[Photo Cache]

The tree with the golden flowers is incredible.

[Peter B.]

I love your golden oldies!

[breathtaking]

Hello Sallie :)
What a burst of sunshine! Yellow flowers always give me the sensation of warmth and sunny days.Beautiful spring flowers Sallie, but what a shame the Laburnum tree was uprooted, it looks so lovely in the photo. These vicious high velocity winds are felling trees in many countries. The Merganser ducks are one of my favourite ducks,their colour and feather design is like a work of art Sweet capture of your daughter and son-in-law's dog and kitty on the bed.Pets can teach humans more than a thing or two about acceptance and equality.
All the best Sallie
Sonjia

[Carol]

I've been enjoying spring amaryllis - I can't grow northern bulbs in Florida but there are still spring flowers. Love your look back.

[Lillian]

Amazing flowers

[Sue Batz]

Thanks Sallie for commenting on my blog. I apologize for being so slow in returning the comments.
Your visiting Florence, Or. brought back so many memories. That was the place our family would always camp. Honeyman State Park. We would also ride the dune buggies. So much fun. The weather and the drizzly days would get to me now.
Love your Golden photos too. Pretty.
Sue

[Linda Walcroft]

Beautiful flower photos! I love the mergansers. I don’t see them very often here.

[Sallie (FullTime-Life)]

David, those Mergansers were in Oregon last December. As I said in that post, I was catching up a bit with photos from the months I didn’t blog. Sallie

[David M. Gascoigne]

I was quite surprised to see Hooded Mergansers in Florida, Sallie. I hadn’t realized they moved so far south. It is a common duck here, even in the winter, along with Common and Red-breasted Mergansers; sometimes we see all three species at one location. I expect that soon you will be heading back to Oregon where spring will no doubt delight you. Best wishes - David

[DeniseinVA]

So many lovely photos here Sallie. I do enjoy seeing all the spring flowers and your daughter and son-in-law’s little dog and cat, such cuties. Those Hooded Mergansers are impressive. How sad that gorgeous tree was uprooted. It really was magnificent. I am delighted to see you posting again. Happy week to you :)

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie,
Beautiful flowers, I love the daffodils and he golden tree.
It is sad the tree has fallen! The Hooded Merganser is one of my favorites. Cute doggie and kitty photo, they look like good friends.
The flower mosaic is cheerful and lovely. Take care, enjoy your day!

[diane]

The hooded duck is a beauty. I loved the photo of the dog and cat peacefully sitting together.So good to have you back. You will notice that I only post every now and then. Getting old and tired. I can't imagine how you feel about the state of USA at the moment. Bill follows the news about USA on You Tube. It is unbelievable what Mr Orange is doing to your beautiful country and what he is trying to do to other countries. His actions effect the whole world.We are all worried about what will happen in the next 4 years but it must be awful for you.

[Veronica Lee]

Love this glimpse of spring through your memories! Those daffodils and golden blooms are beautiful, and the Oregon Coast looks amazing even in December. So cool to see that many Hooded Mergansers! Sorry about the Golden Chain tree, but at least you have that lovely photo. Here’s to more golden days ahead!

[Penelope Notes]

I think you and your husband have found eternal spring, Sallie. Looks like spots of sunshine everywhere in this post. That top photo of daffodils is a beauty!

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...that golden chain tree is a beauty, as they age they rarely look this good!

[Pat]

So many wonderful spring photos, Sallie! That is sad that that beautiful tree is no more! I'm sure your Colorado family has told you about the unusual dry, warm weather we've been having here. We did not get our usual big March snow yet, and I'm a bit worried it will be a drought-filled summer.

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Beautiful spring time photos and love the doggie and kitty photo ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[Annie]

It's time for daffodils here too and for my beloved primroses !

[Shiju Sugunan]

It's nice you have those golden memories to hold onto. happy spring to you.

[magiceye]

Spring has sprung its beauty!

[Heidrun ⛱]

Miss the daffodils here. Sure, we get them in April... maybe. A lovely mood about nature and springtime, dear Sallie. I enjoyed reading again very much.
Have fun and a good week. Hugs by Heidrun

[ellen b.]

We haven't seen daffodils yet, here, but soon. I'll need to buy a bunch the next time we travel to Trader Joe's in Spokane. Happy Spring to you in Florida. Fun to see your 'golden' shots!

[Linda P]

Beautiful Spring flowers! I appreciate seeing them and I send greetings to you and yours. Linda P in the UK.

[Lisa]

So happy to see your gorgeous photos again and especially to see some lovely Spring flowers. The Laburnum is common in the UK but I always understood it is poisonous. You mustn't touch the seeds or berries.