Columbine Lady, do you have any worms for me? I'm just a baby Bluebird and need some help here. I finally got a not-very-good picture of the Mockingbird eating raisins. He has a raisin in his beak. :) I've been trying to catch him forever. :) Mock Orange is starting to bloom--love the shadows Thanks to Tabor, who pointed me in the direction of Orioles, I've concluded that I had a pair of Baltimore Orioles. This is the male. Female Baltimore Oriole--This is a first for me. I've never seen them in my yard before. :) I had it wrong about the Orioles. I MEANT to say I had concluded that they are ORCHARD ORIOLES.

This Momma Bluebird was so cute---she had so much nest material in her mouth she couldn't get in the 'door' :) Can anyone identify this bird for me? The photo is not very good although I had full zoom on my camera. It was just a tad too far away from me. This is for Nita--this is the cooking sage blooming out, and the blooms last quite a while This litte Sparrow just siiinnngs all day. The CUTEST little thing! Click on photos to enlarge I saw my first Summer Tanager today. Oh my goodness, he was so BEAUTIFUL he took my breath away! And as luck would have it, it had started to rain, and I had just brought my camera inside. I wasn't quick enough bringing it back out, and he left before I got a picture of him. Do you think he'll come back? :)

Birds and Blooms

Raindrops

My Columbine are starting to bloom and they are just gorgeous I just planted this Maple day before yesterday. :) It was a volunteer in my flowerbed that I potted, oh, maybe two years ? ago--the roots had grown through the pot to China. :) Goodies from the little independent local nursery. Mr. Tolbert must be in his late 70's and he is just delightful. He's going to sell his greenhouse business because none of his kids or grandkids are interested in carrying it on. It's his passion but he can't handle much of it alone any more. Isn't that sad? Columbine Raindrops on Shamrocks I think the monsoon season has descended upon us. It has rained, lots, for days, and more is forecast for the next four days. The flowers and greenery are just lush from the rain. I putter around with raindrops pattering on my head. The Goldfinches, Bluebirds, Swallows and Sparrows don't mind the rain; why should I? :) I just can't seem to make myself stay inside right now--even with a flu bug. :( The hinges on my storm door have gone into screech mode because I've been running back and forth so much. :)

Happy May Day

Does anyone know what this little beautiful bird is? Purple Finch? House Finch? Something else?

The Morning After

See the worm in her mouth? You may have to enlarge to see it, but she's working hard to feed her babies. :) The irises are starting to bloom. I have a miniature peach iris that I took a photo of-- for another day. My phlox, starting to bloom and smelling oh so heavenly...the morning after this photo, not a bloom in sight. Clean cut. So who's the culprit? The bunnies? :/ We had rain yesterday. The ground had started to dry out again and was ready for a drenching. The pollen has been thick in the air, and allergies are running riot around here. This morning is so clean and fresh, the sun shining highlights on everything it touches. Mornings after rain are just so clean and beautiful.

Birds and Blooms at Ships Landing

I love this shot of my Bleeding Heart. Of course, it wasn't obvious until I uploaded from the camera that it was going to be one of my favorite bloom shots. Isn't he a sweetie? He was gathering food for his new 'babies'; he and Momma worked so hard all day, constantly back and forth, from the yard to the bird house. They are wonderful parents. Easter Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cottontail came for a visit. (I just wish my Coralbells weren't one of their favorite dining experiences.) My first Luna Moth of the year. My friend, Flannie, came to visit and brought me this lovely bouquet. Aren't they gorgeous?? White Lilac, Azalea, Redbud, Dogwood, Daffodil, and Hemlock. She's such a sweetie. :) My hummingbirds made their first appearance on Easter Sunday afternoon. I was delighted to have them back. :)

Happy Easter!

Happy, happy Easter!

Happy Spring

The Bluebirds are beginning to nest, and the Swallows are trying to decide which rental house they want. I've picked up needle and thread again, and have been doing some applique. My niece, Glorie, was here last weekend for the annual Pigeon Forge Quilt Show, which we attended on Friday, and we each made an apron over the weekend. :) Lots of fun. For the last week, I've been spending several hours a day volunteering at my local vet clinic helping introduce those adorable Beagle puppies to collars and leash. What better therapy could a dog lover have?? :)

Thank you...

for all of the kind, comforting thoughts sent my way. They mean more than you will ever know.

Foggy Morning

The fog is thick as pea soup this morning. Yesterday we had a high of 64; today is supposed to be 76!! I am soooo ready for warm, sunny days. I feel like this has been one of the longest, darkest, coldest winters that I've had in many years. Dewey and I are wandering around, lost in our own personal fog of grief and longing, wondering where we go from here. I have this huge hole in my heart, and I feel like a bright light has gone out of my life. I am relieved that my Badger isn't suffering any more, and I smile when I 'see' him running with his little back and legs whole, his ears flying in the breeze, chasing those bugs. I am grateful that he isn't in pain any more. We will heal, and life goes on, but for now I dwell in a cold, dark place-- wondering where I was at as 12 years seemingly few by. Wondering how we capture and hold on to those precious moments in time, how to be more conscious of each moment...