Thursday, April 30, 2009

Goodbye April


As I go forward into May I take my poetry reading.
Perhaps I shall lay under the Maple tree
and write odes to the Orioles!


I am almost ready for May day.


I looked out the bedroom window.



The birds looked in.

Goodbye April!
Thank you for the showers.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Orchard Oriole

ABC Wednesday
"O" !

The Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius,
is in the Blackbird Family.

He winters in South America.
He likes oranges and jelly.
Happy ABC Wednesday!
Thank you, Tumblewords for encourageing me join in.
Thank you mrsnesbitt's place for hostessing a fun meme!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Polyphemus

Polyphemus
We found her when we were walking this evening.
Her calling time is approximately 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
and again from 3:30 a.m. to dawn.


We placed her in the lavender on the deck.



She is a beautiful moth.



Rest well Polyphemus.


A Pleasant Day


It was pleasant in the sun this afternoon.
I wore short sleeves and a hat.

I am excited.
A Tree Sparrow came to my Dogwood.


Editor's note....Lisa let me know that my cute little visitor is the Lincoln's Sparrow not a Tree Sparrow! Thank you Lisa!


I have never had a Tree Sparrow in my backyard!
I do hope I have identified him correctly.
There are so many different Sparrows!
I will need to take Sparrow classes!
A Bumble Bee found the lavender
as did a male Ruby Throated Hummingbird!
I hope to get his picture soon.

The pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers
come and go to the peanuts.
I have had a most pleasant April day.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Lincoln's Sparrow

I heard a new to me song.
I saw a new to me little bird.
Lisa from Greenbow helped to identify my little visitor,
Lincoln's Sparrow.

Thank you, Lisa.


He is a shy little one.

Green Monday

It is a rainy Monday morning.
Over night we received 2.5 inches of refreshing moisture.
I fell asleep last night to the sounds of rain and thunder.
One of my favorite sounds.

The rain barrels are full.
The peas are watered.

I am inside watching the Orioles.

I am getting organized.

I dream of the day when everything has a place
and is in it!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Joy!

I took my morning tray outside to have breakfast with the birds.


Much to my delight a male Blue Bird flew in.



He began to build a nest in the wind harp.


Such a joy!


I have waited for many years
to have a Blue Bird nest in my back yard!



I was on the side of the deck where the Nuthatch's nuts are while welcoming the Blue Bird.
Mr. Nuthatch was most upset with me! I had to move. He wanted his nuts!

I turned to walk back to my chair and my breakfast
when I heard a familiar call.
The female Baltimore Oriole had returned.
She was trying out the grape jelly.
I started to cry.
She remembered me.


There is a wind advisory until this evening.

The female Northern Cardinal came to share breakfast with me.

We often eat together.

This morning her mate came for seed giving.

These two are the sweetest pair.

We finished our breakfast together.

When I gathered up my tray I heard another familiar call.

The male Baltimore Oriole had come to the Ash tree.

I am filled with joy!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hello!

I walked up to the woods.
this afternoon

The frogs were out!

"Hello!"


Damselfly landed nearby.

"Hello!"



"Goodbye!"



A pair of Dragonflies patrolled the pond.


Time to get my field guides out.



A Spring Azure flittered and flew about only to land

for a second before fluttering off again.

"Hello, welcome back Butterflies and Dragonflies.

I have missed you!"

Respect

My Earthday commitment
is to ride my bicycle more often.




I am in training.
I want to ride to the market a couple times a week.
I am looking for a wicker basket for my bicycle.
I already have a helmet and gloves.

The lilacs are blooming.


Still the tulips shine.


The Bleeding Hearts are just opening.

Only one of my plants survived the frosts of 2007.
It will take a few years for this one to be ready to divide.




My husband showed me a nest of spiderlings.
He decided to wait to mow.




They were so tiny.


We were down on the grass watching them awaken to life.

Our legacy is our respect for life.

All of life.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Personality Plus

The Mockingbirds have so much personality.
I get so tickled with them.
I love their songs.



This pair came this morning while I was having breakfast.
They came for dried cherries.



The Tufted Titmouse also has a darling personality.
He is so cute!
I love the way he grabs a seed and flies away!


Lately it is the Downy Woodpeckers that have taken center stage.
Two pairs chase each other around the yard.



They will stop for peanuts
and a photo shoot!






Each month there are at least 40 different species of birds in the back yard.

The Juncos have gone North. I am waiting on the Orioles and the Grosbeaks.

I hope they remember me!