Preparing

                                                Today is the Green New Moon

of May.

 

Halley's Comet is high over head in the night's sky.

It has been a rainy week.

My world is lush.

  

I have been reading while thunder rattles my windows.

  When the rains stop I go outside to be with the birds.

I am preparing for my journey west.

I am taking notes.

I am learning about nature's calender in Yellowstone.

The study of Phenology is the study of the relationship of flora and fauna.

It is the study of concurrent seasonal events.

I am a phenologist.

I am becoming familiar with the birds and wildflowers of this region.

It is very different from my urban wild life.

I am learning about the rocks and the soils.

Knowing the rocks helps me to know the history.

Knowing the soil helps me to anticipate what trees I will see.

We will be on a four legged journey.

Wyoming is our first stop.

We are planning our route.
 We have plenty of time.

It has been ten years since

I have been to Yellowstone.

Much can change in ten years.

I have.

I take breaks from my study.

One chocolate a day is perfect!

This evening the sun came out.

A new to my back yard bird came to the feeding station.

I have my field guides out.

There is so much to learn just in my backyard!

Mother's Day

White Crowned Sparrow

and the female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
were in the gardens today.

Another pair of House Wrens are nesting.

It is Mother's Day.

Today we honor Mothers.

We thank those that have nurtured us.

I walked in my gardens.

I remembered my Mother.

I remember the wise women
that have gone before me.

I thank these amazing women.

I look within.

Happy Mother's Day.

Anniversary

Four years ago
I bought a camera

and began teaching it to see the world I see.

Four years ago my daughter encouraged me
to share my world.

It has been fun sharing
my relationship with the birds

 the bugs

the butterflies

and the blooms.

Thank you for your support.

It has been fun.

Baltimore Orioles

We have been listening for
the call of the Baltimore Orioles.

They arrived yesterday.

They found the grapes today.

I am thankful they remembered me.

The Peonies are beginning to bloom.

The Lupine are opening.

It is May.
The beautiful month of May.
The Baltimore Orioles have returned.

Sunday Safari

We went to Powell Gardens
for our Sunday safari.
It is about 50 miles east of our house.

Their Flax is in full bloom.

The Sour Grass is blooming.
For the Eastern Tailed-Blue it is a treat.

A young girl found a snail.
She promised to put it back.

The edible landscape is good for the bees, butterflies and people.
 Red Kale is beautiful in bloom and is called a "super food".
 We enjoy the leaves in our stir fry.

Wild Strawberries are pretty when the Pearl Crescents
are nectaring.

The borders planted with chives were just gorgeous.

 Painted Ladies, Orange Sulphurs,

Skippers and bees love the blooms.

I will be planting lots of chives.
Nice for my salads and for the butterflies.

The Variegated Fritillary

enjoyed the pots planted with lettuces and pansies.

We watched Muskrats

and Black Swallowtails in the wild areas.

Happy Sunday safari.

May Day

The May Pole
is standing in the front yard.

Her ribbons dance in the gentle breeze.

The House Wren has set up housekeeping.

The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak scouted the backyard.

                         The male Hummingbirds are claiming their territory.

The chamomile is in bloom.

Early strawberries are ripe.

It is May.

Happy May Day!