Down the deck stairs again . . . =)

Even though the newly painted steps don't have the extra drama of peeling paint and weathered wood, they still make a good subject.
I'm finding out that it looks different depending on what time of day it is, the angle, the weather (dewdrops are great!), and weather or not your beagle is laying on it.  =)

In the morning (around 7) the stripes on the rail make a checkerboard pattern if you use your zoom . . .



Or you can catch the stripes individually.



A little later the light changes to dappled shadows .

Earlier the light reflected off the wood and gave it a silvery tint .

If you don't already have a beagle to decorate your deck, I heartily suggest getting one . =)

Mimosa tree

Our Mimosa tree is actually native to New Mexico and not Kansas, so it usually doesn't leaf out until early June and or bloom until July. This year however, with the warm weather this spring, it leafed out late April and was blooming by in May!

 Last year I had mostly tried to get a picture of the illusive humming bird that visits in the morning and evening and didn't really focus on the flowers and leaves themselves. But this year the humming bird has yet to show, so in the meantime I'll content myself with the fluffy, delicate pink flowers, and symmetrical leaves. =)



My sister actually took this picture , with my camera , and it's a really good compostion .  =)



I really liked the way the light lit up one side of the leaflets, and left the other side darker.

All that glitters is not gold . . .

Sometimes it's spiderwebs or dewdrops!

This one is my personal favorite  <3