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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

A Bird in the Hand with Two in the Bush


See this little bird with its beak stuffed full of . . . something?

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There’s a pair nesting in the barberry bush right beside our deck.  I mean, the bush grows over onto one of the chairs, for heaven’s sake.  We sit there all the time, have lunch, relax with the dogs.  We’ve been very careful not to disturb them, but they seem unperturbed by our comings and goings.  When someone is sitting in the chair the birds will go in the “back door” through the maple tree and into the barberry bush.  When I took these photos I was watering the flower bed.  The bird stopped to check me out, make sure I wasn’t a threat, and when satisfied hopped into the nest to feed two baby birds.  She (he?) is surprisingly well camouflaged in the barberry.  I wouldn’t have thought.

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The nest is too well hidden for me to photograph it, and I wouldn’t want to intrude, anyway.  I have peeked in there several times.  They see me, but don’t seem to mind.  I talk to them sometimes and they listen.  Two years in a row they built their nest in an evergreen bush out front, and both years the babies fell out of the nest before they were ready to fly.  Mom and dad were very distressed.  I couldn’t find the nest to be able to put them back in, and I don’t know if the family would have accepted that.  I’m certain the babies perished.  I can’t tell you how much that upset me.  I think this is more safe on the south side, protected from the wind and the rain as it’s tucked under the eaves next to the house.

Keep your fingers crossed for these sweet, innocent creatures that their family thrives and grows up to build nests of their own someday.  They’re such a pleasant and welcome part of the garden.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Sunday is Doggie Day


On your mark. . . get ready. . .

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Go!

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And a good time was had by all!  Enjoy your day!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

A Little Garden, A Little Wally and LuLu


Frankly, it hasn’t been a good garden year.  I don’t know if it’s me, the plants, the potting soil, something in the air. . . but I’ve never had such a struggle with my flower pots.  Many plants just up and died, leaving empty pots and dampened spirits.  What the heck?  I mean, this just doesn’t happen!  Rich feels sorry for me and twice has come home with an armload of new flowers.  The new plants are doing well so far, knock on my little wooden head.

The wax begonias have thrived from the beginning, however.  This photo was taken in early July, and they’re much bigger now.  Thank goodness I have lots of wax begonias.

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Wally again.  The purple petunias behind him died.

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The snapdragons are pretty.  Love the two-toned pink.

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These two make everything better.

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And, of course, there’s always the hydrangeas.  This one is a particularly rich purple/blue combo.

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I honestly do try to get good landscape shots, but they come out looking like a jumbled up mess.  I like it lush, and all the trees and bushes limit the camera’s view.  Here’s one of those jumbled up shots of one area along the south side of the house.

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My eyes see it much prettier than this in real life.  I find it hard to go inside on my days off.  Here on the Oregon coast it’s rarely too hot to be outside and, consequently the housework, cooking, shopping, crafty stuff all take a back seat to the garden.  Can you believe it’s August already?  Gosh, I’d better hurry up and get outside!  Have a great day!