Garden green. . . . . and a new visitor!

Well, those expected gentle showers have turned into two days of very heavy

 downpours, especially overnight. Quite a difference in the garden colors, and

 even now, at noon, drenching rain still falls and steady breezes continue to wash

 off the dust and remaining springtime pollen. But enough is enough!  We are still

 looking at one more day and night with plenty more rain which we really don't need!

The hydrangeas love the rain, much cooler temperatures, and no sun to curl the

 edges of their perfect leaves and turn them brown.  The blooms are just starting to

 open, looking small but usually end up huge once all the tiny buds are fully open.

Some of my potted plants I've brought up on the porch, many don't need

 continuous watering for days on end, and seedlings certainly don't want to be

drowned or washed out of their small pots - basil mostly.

Oh, about the new visitor to the garden.  A surprising return of a chipmunk yesterday! 

 We had one named Chippy for several years who disappeared after hibernation

a year ago. This little guy/gal was running along the front porch yesterday morning, 

then headed over to the bird feeders and spent time with the squirrels - who tried

 to chase it away - but got along famously with this male cardinal as they

 breakfasted together.  I think we'll just continue using the name Chippy . . . . .

. . . . after all it may be the same one, just back from traveling!!!!!

Bad squirrel - we have a whole new family this spring and they are definitely a nuisance!

Just another garden wildlife story. . . . . . . . 

See you when it stops raining!

Rustic baking, birds and squirrels -

Yesterday I baked a rustic raspberry buttermilk cake - because I had a lot of fruit

at hand which required eating. I like most fruits cooked rather than raw - swallowing

and digesting is much easier for me. 

I've made this cake for years - go HERE for the original recipe - but this time

 I changed pans. I tried it in a deeper French fluted removable bottom pan which

 made it more of a cake than the original shallower and larger in circumference

 coffeecake. I also changed vanilla essence to almond essence - raspberries and

 almonds go together perfectly.

It took longer to bake but turned out really well and, with a scoop of freshly

 whipped heavy cream, made a great dessert.

Going to have to work on the 'pandemic weight gain' soon!

An afternoon garden break - with my camera of course - enabled me to get some

 good bird shots as we had filled the feeders.

Above is the cutest, very young I believe, Northern mockingbird trying out the 

suet feeder.  I used to be able to stand on one leg like that. . . . . and not fall over!!!

We have dozens of Northern cardinals with us year round - many have nested

 in the garden again this year. This is a handsome male and, although not quite as

 deep red as in the winter months, he is one of the brightest flashes of color in

 the garden year round.

Some days it feels like we have more dastardly squirrels than birds! 

This Spring they are everywhere,

I'm sure there was a spike in the birth rate around February.

It's love-hate relationship. . . . . they are clever and cute, but they're

digging in my pots, chewing my tomato leaves (along with the rabbits),

and, as always, gorging themselves on birdseed which they knock out

of the feeders.

I tossed out a few frozen blueberries to see what they would make of those -

my goodness, this one was there in a heartbeat and gobbling them up nonstop!

They are definitely bright-eyed and bushy tailed at this time of year - and look so healthy.

Doubt there are any viruses bothering them currently!

Hope your week is going well.

Stay strong.

Wild beauty---------------------

Our large fig tree, and the bird bath beneath its now budding branches, is a haven

for so many garden visitors. Squirrels chase one another through the branches and

eat at the suet feeder (the seed feeder being squirrel-proof - they know it by now

 so rarely try!). A herd of white-tailed deer, despite their silent loveliness standing

 on the lawn at dusk and dawn, now come at night. They are unwelcome visitors

 at the feeders, and now are chewing on the bright green shield-shaped leaves

 of the bluebell clumps pushing up under the tree.  

Yesterday, under chilly, overcast skies, and prior to a nice light rain falling to

 water the garden, I took these photos of just a few of the many birds visiting.

All but a pair of Brown-headed cowbirds, and a pair of European starlings, are

birds which frequent the garden constantly - but I never tire of trying to get a

 perfect photo showing off their beautiful colors, feathers and expressions.

Female Northern flicker 

Male Eastern bluebird 

Male Brown-headed cowbird

Female Northern cardinal

Male Northern cardinal

Male or Female European starling 

Male House finch

Female American robin

Hope you enjoy 'my birds'.

Who's flying in your garden these days?

Are you waking to birdsong now that spring is here?

Destruction!

Today we had to remove the cushions from the front porch chairs!

As they are usually protected in all weather we don't store them away in winter.

This past week I was able to sit out there one afternoon enjoying my

current lovely book, Anuradha Roy's second novel on modern India, 

The Folded Earth, along with a cup of tea, in the unbelievable warmth of

 a very unseasonal February day.

I admit that continuing shoulder pain has me doing less heavy lifting

 and moving, instead more reading, thinking and listening to music. 

Feelings of guilt about much needed housework are being overcome.

The grey squirrel.

Cute? At times.

Naughty? Always.

Right now they are busy in their nests up high in the oaks -

babies will be arriving this month.

Today, one refuses to leave my cushions alone, chewing through the 

covers and trying to pull out stuffing!  Perhaps wanting to line a nest

for a newborn - which is a delightful thought - but please not with my

rather expensive cushions!

They seem to eat nonstop - I guess climbing those tall trees requires a lot of energy.

It's hard to get a photo of a squirrel who isn't nibbling on something.

Bulbs, bird seed, bird suet, nuts, camellia buds, tulips - they'll bite off the

newly opened flowers and you end up with just a row of stems - acorns, and

 now chair cushions.  Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your weekend.  

We've cooled down quite a bit but have lovely

sunshine today.

Motivation. . . . . . . . . .

This morning:  I watched this sweet female Eastern bluebird searching the

 feeders for breakfast on yet another below freezing morning in the garden.

Her mate soon joined her, always delightful to see.

The sun is bright but the air bitter cold.

Snow is forecast for tomorrow, starting around 5:00 am which will cause

 early morning traffic havoc. Yellow school buses are likely to remain

in their parking lots, kids will don parkas and boots, fashion makeshift sleds,

 then search for a hill - which around here is usually no more than a slope.

Tonight will see a rush to the grocery stores to 'stock up' on bread,

milk, and perhaps wine and beer! Although the snowfall is expected to be light, 

and on Thursday it will warm up again and surely melt, people in the south get 

nervous at the thought of being snowbound without a stockpile of essentials. 

This is the roller coaster winter weather of the southeast states.

~ Female Eastern bluebird ~

While outside checking the firewood supply for tonight and tomorrow - we'll be

 staying close to home - filling bird feeders and melting icy bird baths, I also chased

 off five squirrels gobbling down seed and suet. This one refused to leave, playing

 'catch me if you can' on the tree branches - I gave up yelling and hand clapping

 allowing it to return to nibble for a while.

Oh, why the title of Motivation for today?

Last night I went to my first Tai Chi class!  

I roped in daughter, granddaughter, and two neighbors to join me.

 We had two hours of verbal instruction and learning the beginning

 position of this ancient Chinese exercise.

I'm planning to continue and hope the others will also. The group was

an interesting mix and the instructor pleasant. I've always wanted

to try this gentle, excellent way to get the body and mind moving.

I'm now having to admit that at this age 'gym rat' is not listed in my

 personal profile!  This way of exercising (although great for all age

 groups, and the younger you start the better) seems to be the way to go.

I need more balance and less stress so hopefully this will work for me.

Have you ever tried Tai Chi?

P.S. Don't forget, if you haven't entered my

 travel contest yet, do check yesterday's post.

  Many of you have already submitted some awesome guesses. 

There will be a little prize later for the winner when

 I return from the trip! 

Wildlife. . . . . . . . .

Yes, I'm responsible - I confess.

I'm often very cute but sometimes really naughty.

Especially when she forgets to refill the suet feeder. 

I try to chew and claw my way through the plastic hoping 

there's another morsel remaining.

Then I give up and swing back on to the heavy duty seed feeder and

 scoff a ton of sunflower seeds, and of course my favorite peanuts, before

the birds arrive.

Pair of Eastern bluebirds who seem to enjoy the suet too.

Also the Pine siskin and the handsome woodpecker.

Mr. Cardinal watching cautiously while awaiting a turn on the nearby feeder.

With the ice and snow gone after two days of 70+ temps. and lots 

of sunshine, the garden remains a playground, and restaurant, for 

our wildlife.

Today is disappointing!

Up to nine inches of snow was expected.

At midnight I heard the sleet slapping against the windows.

At 6:30 AM I peeped through the blinds and saw a little white on the ground.

I went back to sleep hoping for more.

At 8:00 AM I was up, camera in hand, totally disappointed.

I saw branches bending over, and a layer of ice coating every surface,

 with just a shallow dusting of snow on top.

Fooled you!

 But lovely to see a pair of Eastern Bluebirds back at the suet feeder.

The always sweet Mourning Doves - later I poured warm water on the

 birdbaths to help melt the ice.

Many cardinals, male and female all over the garden today.

The Northern Flicker is back - first visit in a while.

One of the many 'furballs' inhabiting our garden and sharing gobbling the birdseed.

Grey squirrels - love 'em or hate 'em - they are cute, at times!

All creatures need food in this expected severe cold which will last several days.

All photos taken through the windows this morning - it's below freezing - but

guess what, it's actually snowing out there NOW as I go to post this!

Off to dig out my boots and recharge my batteries.