The Hope for the Holy Ghost

It has been said before that Mother Nature amazes.  Proof again abounds in the Holy Ghost.

Hiking in the burn scar behind the cabin, we found multitudes of aspens, many already over three feet tall.

The aspen behind Don is already three feet tall!

Mountain holly was blooming in obscure places, and numerous native plants were peeking out through the scorched earth.

A wild iris greeted us across the hill from us.  Not exactly in the burn scar, but blooming earlier than normal.

The stream, scoured white last fall, has begun to heal, turning a healthier color of light green.  A few fish survived the floods, and they will begin to propagate, though it will be several years before they are big enough to catch.

The scoured stream last October.

The same hole on May 8.  It looks more normal this color!

Hummingbirds are already back by the many.  A herd of five deer has taken up shop just down the road, and we had one little gal find our salt lick within 36 hours of putting it outside.  The bluebird, still cloaked in his winter gray, discovered our bird feeder and told his friends.  The wrens and grosbeaks, robins and finches all made their presence known.

I will be looking for the Lady's Slipper to reappear, the mountain iris to color the hill behind the cabin, the yellow puccoon to dance in the sunlight.  The signs of healing and restoration may be slow to develop, but I plan to pay attention.  Thank you, Mother Nature.