Flicker, Flowers and a Fish....

I had a busy weekend so no words...just a few shots from the garden.

love in the cottonwoods...

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 in the garden...

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?

Outdoor Wednesday...

Edited to add: the "star" is actually the planet Venus. My niece sent me a link to the local early morning weather report on Tuesday and he shows and talks about it. He is mistaken in that he said NW skies though as it was definitely east and Golden Valley is east of our home. Thank you to Mama Bear [Love Bears All Things] for correctly mentioning Venus in the comments. Here is the link if you are interested: Kare11We 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.

more spring arrivals...

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.

Spring in the garden...

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.

in memory of AJ & M...

It all begins (began) with a song...

When we dance together, my world's in disguise
It's a fairy-land tale that's come true
And when you look at me with those stars in your eyes
I could waltz across Texas with you

Scenes from Luckenbach, TX...musicians "jam" there daily...
Waltz across Texas with you in my arms
Waltz across Texas with you
Like a story-book ending, I'm lost in your charms
And I could waltz across Texas with you

Jeff tipped these guys to play Waltz Across Texas in his parents memory...it was so good in their slow drawl...I was a little teary eyed...
My heartaches and troubles are just up and gone
The moment that you come in view
And with your hand in mine dear, I could dance on and on
I could waltz across Texas with you

They would have loved the dance hall...
Waltz across Texas with you in my arms
Waltz across Texas with you
Like a story-book ending, I'm lost in your charms
And I could waltz across Texas with you

...with Nathan's wedding being the first one since AJ passed away, I told Jeff he better put on his dancing shoes and take Tammy for a swing around the floor to Walz Across Texas...can't let the tradition pass away and what better way to remember them.

Luckenbach consists of about 5 buildings...a general store/post office/bar combo, a dance hall, and a few other old buildings...

We stopped by twice...a busy Sunday afternoon where they played inside (Texans think 70 degrees is cold) and a beautiful warm weekday afternoon with less crowds.
We both thought AJ would have really enjoyed it here...we miss you mom & dad...
Luckenbach is a very popular stop for many even though it is out in the middle of nowhere and the population is 22 after Waylon Jennings came out with this song.