Sunday, May 30, 2010

steeple Sunday...

I saw this steeple rising above the trees in rural Renville County.
St Mary's Church in Bechyn, built in 1915. Bechyn is a "village" of a church, cemetery and about a half dozen homes.

This church is now closed (merged with a larger congregation) but hosts an annual Czech Heritage Fest each summer.
A granite monument gave a history of the church and

the cemetery crucifix had an inscription in their native language.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Friday's feathered friends...

It's hot today and the Gray Catbird is a frequent bath visitor.









This guy loves a bath but only when I go back inside the house - a shy but beautiful bird.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Blossoms...




I've been busy trying to stay ahead of the weeds but thought I would show you the current blossoms. I wish the iris lasted longer they are gorgeous right now.

Monday, May 24, 2010

warblers...

I'm continuing to enjoy the migrating warblers visiting the garden. In yesterday's heat, a Wilson's Warbler came to the rock for a refreshing bath.


All clean and fluffed up!
I also managed to get a couple of shots of the elusive common yellowthroat - he is such a shy bird.

Have a great day!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

steeple Sunday...

Another steeple I shot on a rainy, gray day...I was intrigued by this one because of the little round circles at the top. It looks like a perfect pigeon house or another type of birdhouse if you use enough imagination and I don't mean to be disrespectful, it is just the first thing I thought of.
The circle motif was carried on to the front facade as well as the large stained glass window front and center of the building.
The Church of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, MN. The cornerstone states it was built in 1899.
It was a very large church, there is a another huge addition added on to the right of these photos but I chose to focus on the original part of the church.

Friday, May 21, 2010

raindrops and Friday's feathered friends...

It's time for Friday's feathered friends but I couldn't resist showing you the photos of the iris with raindrops I took this morning :)

This week brought several migrators besides the Cape May warbler I posted earlier in the week - this one I believe is a Tennesse warbler.
The bright blue of the indigo bunting is always a welcome sight in spring!
Female rose breasted grosbeak, I have yet to see the beautiful male.
These two are not migrators but it was fun to watch the goldfinch and baltimore oriole co-bathe.
I've spotted yellow warblers and the common yellowthroats as well but they are too fast for my camera.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

morning garden walk...what's blooming

I really enjoy taking my cup of coffee and going for a early morning garden walk to see what's blooming these days. Today, there are still many daffodils and tulips blooming.The old fashioned lilac hedge and the little pink Tinkerbelle lilacs are blooming.
I love spots of blue in the garden including this clump of flax.
The columbines are starting to put on a show...
and the first iris are opening up. I have lots of buds so I can't wait to see the other colors bloom.
Lily of the valley, allium, bleeding heart, viola and my ruffled Christmas poinsettia.
A miniature rose in the fairy garden, fern peony and perennial bachelor button.
Today's walk also showed me all the work that still needs to be done - time to get back into the work mode :)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

a new visitor to the rock...

I was so excited to see this bird in the garden yesterday and had to get out the trusty bird book to identify him, a Cape May Warbler.
I kept the camera by the window and glanced outside throughout the day and was able to capture a few shots through the glass.






Isn't he a handsome fellow? I am happy to host him and hope he stays around long enough that I am able to get photos from outside.