First There Was a Robin and then . . .

Hi there,

Since I generally post on Tuesday, I can't believe it's not Tuesday.  It came and went without me, but, hey, thinking it's Tuesday must mean something. :) Moving on . . . to Spring! We've had it all weather wise. It's been very hot and it's also been unseasonably cold with a lot of rain. Perfect weather, it seems, for a beautiful spring.

Always on the outlook for whatever nature puts on display, I was lucky to happen upon a mother robin and her nest. I haven't seen robins' eggs since I was child. And what can you really say about robin's egg blue? It's the prettiest colour.

Not on her watch. Alert and on guard. I didn't want to upset her too much so I've waited awhile and then made a fast trip in to see her babies.

Two fat chicks, tucked in a warm nest and growing like weeds with the help of a package of mealy bugs and two hard working, diligent parents. Robins never use a nest twice. And these parents could raise two more families this year. Lined with mud (how many trips does it take?) and once that's dry, last year's dry grasses up the snuggle effect. The papa bird brings materials, but the female builds the nest. She's a wonderful artist. The grasses are spread out on the sides and the bottom with a real flare.

Flora ...

Lilacs

 Hostas. Wish they were mine.

Pretty in pink.  A Hawthorn tree.

Solomon's Seal

Once again, lovely ferns on the grow. So fresh and green. I can't help it, I am crazy about them.

The wetlands are actually wet this year. Drained for three years to kill off the cattails, it's, once again, brimming with water. The tadpoles are jumping and the frogs are loving it. What a chorus! 

 * * *

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Turtles."

Art for art's sake...

A mock up of violets. Very soon there will be an art show at the mall. I'd like enter two paintings, so I better get back to the painting board.

And finally, this lucky marsh wren was chosen for the spring show and flew off to the local gallery. 

I hope you are all enjoying spring, or if you are down under a wonderful fall.

Thank you so much for visiting. . .hope to see you on Instagram too. Let me know if you are there.

Enjoy . . .

Memory Lane

The months have speedily slipped from there moorings this year and Christmas is, once again, near. I've been decking the halls and enjoying the beauty that shines from every corner of the town and twinkles across the snow from cheerily lit houses.

Amaryllis 

Poinsettia and Maiden Hair Ferns.

 Christmas trees are filled with treasured memories of people and places near and far. When we unwrap the baubles, smiles light up the room when we uncover the tissue and find a treasure given  by family and friends.  Decorating the tree is a walk down memory lane. Of course, there are nutcrackers, birds and eggs, something from the sea, and my most prized possession: a reindeer made by my son, Jesse when he was in pre-school.

There are old and new things . . .

And the unusual, too. A sea urchin tied with ribbons and bows. I bought it several years ago in Newfoundland.

A hummer and another special fellow.

The shadow of a dove.

And, luckily, outside the real McCoy: a downy woodpecker feasts on seeded suet.

Thank you for reading along.

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and very Happy Holidays!