Locust Tree

 The locust in our front yard is sprouting out green. It is so great to see with the blue sky background. This is the great variety of locust tree that does not have thorns. 

Bouquet

 

Tulip Power

 My tulips are planted among the peonies. As they fade and go away the peonies will be large and take over the garden. 

Morning Sun

 

Crow

 They are native to Iowa. He seemed to be so big because we are use to seeing grackles and blackbirds. The blue shine is striking and moves around as the sun reflects off of him.

Grape Hyacinyhs

 The color is so great. I have found an article on the net that it is an invasive plant in certain regions. It certainly is invasive in my yard as I have it spread all over the front yard. It gets mowed over in the spring and it doesn't kill it as it comes back the next spring.

Thunderclouds

 The rains came again yesterday after we were told there would not be more rain.  I found almost and inch of rain in the gauge this morning. Some parts near us had so much hail that there yards were white like it had snowed. We had also the rain and hail. The hail took off a large part of my red bud tree flowers and also a few tulips. The hail was the size of gum balls  The thudercloud was what had been over us as it moved east.