photo by Ballard Avenue

We're going away to a place without daffodils, but we'll be back soon.

photo from Thoughts of Laurel

Cats like sunsets, too.

How can you tell a swan's politics? Let's see...


Republican swan.


Democratic swan.

absolutely and positively not Photoshopped photos by Ballard Avenue

photo by Ballard Avenue

The little ones are quicker off the mark, but in this race you'd put your money on the big guy.

photo by Ballard Avenue

It's safe to say it didn't roll down the assembly line in Sweden looking like this.

photo by Ballard Avenue

They work fast. It was only a hole in the ground not that long ago.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Ginger tips over and rolls around. It's a cat way of saying "HiHowAreYa?"

photo by Ballard Avenue

Pickles and Entity have a brother, Ginger, who all this time has somehow eluded our camera. Sorry, Ginger. You can run but you can't hide.

photo by Ballard Avenue

For those Ballard Avenue loyalists (and we love you all) who prefer their photos uninhabited, here are some of the birch trees all by themselves.

photo by Ballard Avenue

We don't do people much here. Nothing personal, mind you. It's just not our thing. But for those beginning to think Ballard Avenue was a strangely de-populated place, here's a snapshot just for you.

photo by Ballard Avenue

Looks like the person who lost their red bootie has also lost a red shirt. In case you're reading this, your shirt's on the fence at Sunset Hill Park.

photo by Ballard Avenue

They're so cute, the little crocuses (or croci, for our Latin readers). Tough little buggers, too. After weeks of rain and the biggest windstorm in years, these little guys still popped up over the weekend.

photo by Ballard Avenue

photo from CuteOverload.com

It rained over 12" in Ballard last month and since Ballard cats are so smart, we didn't see many of them out and about. So we turn to Cute Overload for our Friday fix. She's a cutie, all right, until you get a faceful of tuna breath.

photo by Ballard Avenue

There are two resident trumpeter swans on the Reserve. Here they are enjoying a bit of sun on the hillside above the pond. They reminded us of these birds.

photo by Ballard Avenue

We went to Bainbridge Island to visit the Bloedel Reserve. You might not think a dreary January day would be very rewarding there, but the grounds are lovely anytime.