Spring Photo Shoot

I finally had a chance amidst this wet and crazy spring to get out my DSLR camera and put some focus on the landscape... and it wasn't raining!  We have had 2 back-to-back wettest on record winters (Oct-Apr.)  Over 45 inches of rain since October 1st, 2016  WOW!

Enjoy a few of the Highlights.  The rest can be found at my online photo album here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/markholt/

Its been a Crazy Spring... Catchup Post!

Akebono Cherry Trees in Blossom, one of the highlights for me every year!

I love the blue pink combo that happened on this beautiful day

Beautiful Spring Day with some blue sky, a rare occasion that needs documented!

British Gamble Daffodils that we added to the front beds of the temple last fall.  I thought the pink saucer would add some elegance to the entryway.

I took my family to the Rhododendron and Bonsai Gardens in Federal Way.  It was neat to see how they used the Rhodies in their garden and gave me some ideas how to incorporate better use with our Rhodies at the Temple.  

We had some major repairs on our tractor this spring, so we are glad to have it back after several weeks.

The Mt. Fuji Cherry Blossoms really add some substance to the entryways!

I paid a visit to the Newcastle Golf club recently, to keep networking with my friend there. Scott Phelps is the Head Superintendent there and seems to know how to grow grass in Seattle...obviously. I have started to incorporate a turf variety that this course uses called Regenerative Perennial Ryegrass.  We have had positive results so far.  I just keep hoping for an invite from him to come play this course because it is expensive and private! Keep dreaming...  Best view of Lake Washington and Seattle Downtown though!

Acer palmatum 'Beni Maiko-- comes out bright pink leaves in the spring for a beautiful show... Beni Maiko means 'red haired dancing girl'...although Richard Pedersen, the Temple Recorder, informed me that they may have embellished the translation of that word a little bit for plant marketing purposes.  haha

Mosese Lolohea planting up some plugs getting ready for planting time in a few week.

I went to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival last Friday (4/21) on one of the only blue-sky days we have had in the past month.  It was a rewarding trip that I love to do with my family because it puts you in a different world.  The beauty of plants is amazing.  I found several varieties that I want to order for the Temple Grounds as well!