Magic Moment

This morning I looked out the window; and, I noticed a plump bird sitting on the wooden fence. 

Hmmm…a bird that looked unfamiliar. 

Using my camera as binoculars, I was able to zoom in closer without getting too near the window to frighten the bird away.  The feathering was different and yet familiar at the same time as I noticed a recognizable blue coloring.

The bird gave a few stretches.  Suddenly, a mature blue jay, sex unknown, joined the fence-sitter and gave it some food.  Eureka…a baby blue jay!

The adult flew off.  I continued to watch.  Then, a red-bellied woodpecker lighted near the youngster on the fence.  Within seconds, the adult blue jay flew in to chase the sapsucker away.  Unsuccessful, the adult blue jay coaxed the baby to join in flight to the silver maple tree just feet away. 

The woodpecker remained to peck bugs from a decaying fence post.

Another magical moment duly noted.

Help...Do You Know My Name?

I have many favorite plants; based on color, texture, scent, growth habit, length of bloom time..., growing in my yard.

This is one.  Unfortunately, I do not know the name of this perennial.

Do you know my name?

Does anyone out there know either the common or the scientific name of this attractive specimen?

If not, the plant still holds a solid place on 'MY FAVORITES'  list.  Name or no name...the plant is an attention-grabbing beauty. 

Summer Has Arrived

The unofficial start of summer has begun; complete with hot air temperatures and humidity.

The sun shines brightly much earlier in the day; many days ending with a welcomed thunder storm to cool and give much needed moisture relief to the growing plants. My perennial gardens have not looked so exquisite in several years; the necessary parameters are working together and I am reaping the benefits of magnificence.

Along with the hotter temperatures, come the butterflies.

Little white cabbage butterflies are everywhere.  No matter in what direction I look, I can always see five, seven or more. 

Occasionally, I catch a fleeting glimpse of a yellow or black swallowtail.  The season is young.   I will see many more Lepidoptera as the days tick into real summer.  I can hardly wait!

Today, I spotted a small orange beauty gliding among the tall grasses of the pasture; moving from flower to flower in a split moment of time.  I followed the butterfly as it moved; it’s time to gather nectar was rapid. 

I, on the other hand, use this season to slow down to a crawl; I am not active in heat or humidity.  I garden and take care of my chores in the cool of the morning or evening; and relax with a good book, write, sew or catnap during the heat of the day.  The inside of the house stays cool, even without air-conditioning; besides, the gentle breeze entering through screened windows is much more satisfying  heavy with sweet scents and sounds of nature.

Indeed, summer has arrived.

Remembering Heroes

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY AMERICA!

Let us all remember/reflect and give thanks to those military heroes of yesterday and today - the ones who fought for our freedoms and for our peace!

HIP HIP HOORAY to the USA

Purple Iris

Beauty can be found in many junctures of life!



Unwanted Visitor

I was sitting in my favorite spot (in the recliner, in the living room, next to the window overlooking our farm) reading a Gladys Taber book when I glanced out the glass door which gives me a view of the back deck.

I did not have my glasses on (never do when I read); but, I noticed something odd with my blurred vision.  I put on my glasses and looked again.  And again, I was not quite sure.  So, I got up out of the comfy recliner and stepped over to the door.  OMG…Cricket was sleeping on top of a short cardboard box which was on top of the dog house; and, just inches away, a huge black snake was attached to the bricks making up the exterior wall.

check out the brick wall - snake's head on the left, snake's tail on the right, and mid-section ?...
Cricket is that grey fur ball on the bottom left - peacefully sleeping.

I could substantiate two feet of the head section, and two feet of the tail section; but, the mid-section looped down below the dog house.  How far?  Not sure.  I was not about to get the near the snake to verify.

Cricket continued to nap, wiggling her bushy tail from time to time which seemed to interest said snake as the snake’s head turned from looking up to looking directly at the cat. 

I monitored the situation from time to time.

Cricket had moved to the front porch and the snake had moved, too.  But, where did the snake go?

I am still looking ahead of every one of my steps.  I do not want to find it underfoot; especially, my foot.

Cherry Picking - It's Official

Today, Glenn dragged the ladder to the slightly tall (taller than either of us could reach) sweet cherry tree to officially pick cherries. 

He picked one basket full, leaving the rest of the cherries to continue to ripen.  There are several more baskets full remaining on the tree.  The birds still have hope!

Sam, one of our resident Mockingbirds, closely watches us harvest his(?) cherries from his favorite perch near the cherry tree.

Of course, we both just had to eat a cherry now and again - yum.

Then, Glenn took the task of trying to cover the sour cherry tree with netting to protect his pie fruit - cherry being his favorite.  That task was not easy, especially with the wind that started to gust. A rain storm was brewing.  The sky was thick with darkened clouds. Now imagine thin, light-weight netting flying about in the breeze while a person (Glenn) tries to place the protection just so over a tree; not a pretty sight as arms flayed, branches whipped, netting sailed. My second pair of hands was not much help. But, Glenn prevailed, and hopefully, will have a nice harvest for two pies, rather than one, this year.

Not pretty, but hope the netting does its job of keeping the birds away from  our cherries.

Of course, I will be the one making those pies.  I have the crust down to a delicious science, but the filling…no recipe; so, I hope the results gets Glenn’s approval. 

Oh, the stress…