a blog about the garden of life and life in the garden
I'm excited to say that a bunch of white throated sparrows are moving through. I took these photos on Tuesday when we had some sun.
Yesterday, was cold and rainy all day so of course it was the day Mr. Wood Duck decided to pose in the cottonwoods for me. I still haven't figured out what settings to use for those gray, gray days...tips anyone?
Though I occassionally get the red-winged blackbirds in the backyard, I have never seen a yellow-headed visit. Yesterday, I was running errands and took the camera along - I was lucky enough to spot several yellow-headed blackbirds in the sloughs along the Minnesota River. I love how his white wing bars are barely visible when standing still but are a beautiful sight when in flight.
Have a great day...
Today is our daughter's birthday...I remember her "birth"day like it was yesterday, we rushed to the hospital and she arrived less than 10 minutes later. 
I had a busy weekend so no words...just a few shots from the garden.
I am lucky that I have had a pair of kestrels nest high in a cottonwood tree for the past 3 years. Yesterday, I witnessed mating courtship {graphic photos ahead so if this offends you come back and read a new post tomorrow}. First, the Mrs. came and soon the Mr. flew in.
They perched in the tree that they nest in...parts of it are hollow.
He preened and preened to look his best...
while she did the same.
Doesn't it look like she has eyes in the back of her head?
Soon they were cleaned and fluffed and admiring each other.
She raised her tail, but he ignored her...
so she took flight...
and went to him...
for some love in the cottonwoods.
a ruby crowned kinglet that is...
I can still see you...
What big eyes you have...
Making a splash...
The ruby crown shows up even more when wet...
Have I mentioned how much I love spring migration lately?
We were up very early today as Jeff had to leave at 5:30 am for a meeting. I was in the kitchen making my coffee when he called from the road and said "look outside to the east, there is a cool moon and star". Wow, he was right...isn't it pretty with the sunrise barely starting to turn pink on the horizon? I looked online to see if the star was a visible planet but didn't find any info...still very cool looking, like a foreign flag.
We've always called this moon phase a crescent moon but several years ago when I was watching my then young friend, Abbey T. she told me it was the toenail moon. Abbey, I think of you everytime I see a crescent, I mean toenail moon now. Below, is my neighbor's farm in the early light...
Thank you to Susan, A Southern Daydreamer for hosting Outdoor Wednesday. Click on the link to see the other's participating. She also reminded me it is Earth Day today...let's all be mindful to take care to perserve our Earth's beauty for future generations.
I just love this time of year with the return of migrating birds...the white crowned sparrow is a shy one but he posed on the bridge above and a flicker picked at the remains of the corn buffet.
Many pairs of mourning doves have returned and I love their cooing songs in the evening...
but these grackels could have stayed where ever they came from.
I don't know how I can like birds so much at the same time I dislike these guys...but they really get on my nerves. They bully the other birds, take over the feeders and worst of all when they clean out their nests - they fling all the droppings on my windows, pond, bridge and patio. I think we have them in record numbers this year...Jeff thinks it is because the surrounding corn field did not get plowed last fall so they had lots of food to glean when migrating through.
It has been a busy but very exciting week here so I'm sorry for the little break in blogging...in my absence spring has arrived in our yard! This morning Hershey & I spotted the very first blossom in the backyard...a tiny little iris showcased above and if you look very hard it is the small blossom behind the seashell on the left side of the below photo! Hard to spot but thrilling being the official start of the blooming season.
The first color has also blossomed in the front landscape...my baby forsythia shrub. It is only about 12 inches tall but so exciting to see as it is a new plant for me and the first time it has bloomed.
In the busy days I wasn't blogging I was working on draining & cleaning out the pond (with help from Jeff & Nathan) and got it refilled, the pumps up and running and the fish back in their summer home.
It is a joy to once again watch the birdies drink and bathe on the rock fountain. Just this morning, I was telling Jeff, Jayme & Scott that there is still a chance of snow as the juncos are still here in pretty big numbers...
and then while I was working on this blog post a few minutes ago I spotted this little guy out of the corner of my eye. I almost tripped over the computer cords running for the camera and...
I'm happy to say the butterbutts (yellow rumped warblers) are back...Spring is definitely here to stay!
This weekend we also had the first pre-wedding event and Nathan's aunts hosted a wonderful bridal shower for Tammy, our soon to be daughter-in-law. It was a wonderful time and we appreciated all the time & effort they put into hosting it and all the wonderful guests that arrived to share the day with Tammy.
Thank you Renae, Tammie, Jan, Linda, Barb, Julie, Kay, Lois, Deb & Keri for hosting - you are all wonderful sisters/sister-in-laws! I volunteered to make the centerpieces...more on is posted on my Kitchen blog.
