My Garden – Mon Jardin – Mi Jardin – Mein Garten – Daily Adventures & Thoughts

No matter the language, my garden is my paradise. To watch the lovely birds that nest in the trees and bushes. The bees, butterflies are such a joy to see.


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Yesterday was so much fun .. and I attended my first ever Soccer Game!!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

So very much going on and I’ve really wanted to blog but my life has been proceeding along like one of those crazy Family Circle cartoons .. the one which shows the kids racing all over the house and outside.  Leaving a trail of marks that indicate foot prints, showing the directions they have been going in.

Well .. that is what happens in life, right?   Everything is calm and then .. ba boom!  Activity happens.  I’m taking care of two yard properties and doing a lot of clearing away, decluttering.  Cleaning.  All in a timeline and so for several weeks I haven’t taken my daily walks and oh how I miss them.

That will change as of tomorrow … when I recommence my lovely daily walks and so I’m dusting off my camera, polishing off my binoculars and will venture out for a “short” one hour walk.

A few days ago … I had a little visit with little Jeanie .. she is such a little love and hasn’t forgotten the sound of my voice, even though it’s been quite a while since we saw each other.  She is a darling and was wearing a very stylish plum coloured outfit … isn’t she beautiful?

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And lovely skies recently .. I quite loved this cloud .. seen as we were travelling by ferry to Salt Spring Island yesterday.

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We recently had some intensive tree work done and I finally had a chance to see the professional climbing equipment that our friend, the arborist, used to climb the tall trees.   Those are serious hooks and very necessary to ensure safety during the climb.

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And I was very happy that he brought along little Gemma!   Here she is sitting quietly after eagerly chowing down on a huge chicken sandwich.  burp   We’d just come back for a good little walk and had worked up an appetite.

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Yum .. that was a good sandwich, she seemed to say .. would there be the possibility of another?

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So anyway dh & I arrived at Salt Spring and made our way to visit our friends who live over there.     And look at this sky!!!

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After a lovely cup of tea .. we went outside to see what was happening in the yard .. and I noticed a cheery little crocus that had popped up through the moss .. delightful.

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And there were . … literally .. thousands of daffodils growing everywhere … maybe we’ll have a chance to go for another visit so I can take some photos of their blooms!  Stunning.

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And .. not to mention … masses of snowdrops … like bouquets scattered here and there.   Landscaping by Nature .. the best ever.

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And while I was standing there, quietly, snapping pics, a sudden movement at my feet caused me to look down and there was a tiny little tree frog …he’d jumped up from the grass .. seeking warmth from the stones.  How very cute is this!

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The rustic beauty of the fence caught my eye.

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So then our friends invited us to a soccer match .. I’d never been to one and so was looking forward to this.   Here … the Salt Spring Island Men’s team were getting ready to start the game.

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They went into the pre-game huddle to plan their strategy.

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The games officials began their trek to the field.

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Ouch .. this is a really physical game.  The players were extremely active, running, jumping, racing … I was quite tired just looking at them!

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And our friend’s son was playing!  He’s a very good soccer player!!

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Our dear friend Gemma came along to watch the game with everyone.

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The cheerful skies above seemed to cheer on the SSI team as the score was 2-0 when we left … to catch another ferry ..22

As the ferry left the terminal .. this little seagull just waited patiently to see us away.

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It was a lovely day .. .and now we were on our way to a wedding!!  More about that tomorrow.

🙂


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Why I take the photos that I do … Well .. here are some of the reasons!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

There is so very much beauty in this world …. everywhere …up above in the sky.  Scenery.  Trees. Birds.  And photos of these all make the most loveliest of memories for later on.

Such as this tiny bird, perched, ever so briefly, on a branch (I think this is a Golden-crowned Kinglet).  I was out walking and surprised to see a few of these darlings twittering about the tree.  They didn’t stay still for very long, so I was lucky to get this pic.

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And a surprise entry pathway that I’d not noticed before.  It was only due to the fact that I chose another route to my destination and discovered this one.

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The joy of walking along an undiscovered route heightens the enjoyment of my lovely daily walks.12

And the overhead canopy of branches seem to delicately and gently welcome me along the way.  Soon these will be wearing their summer finery and provide shade from the summer’s heat.10Imagine, this pathway was here all along and I’m happily making my way …the highway and sidewalk are way to the left and while people are busily starting their busy trips to work and shopping, I’m quietly discovering more of Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary!!

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After a few minutes I found myself actually at the allotment gardens, a good opportunity to see these plots up close, so I opened the gate and went in.

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So this is, I believe, part of Swan Creek .. lots of water and the reason for the bridge (above) 🙂

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This area is vast .. so beautiful to see unique gardening plots .. lots of work.

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Each gardener has their own unique way of gardening.  Variety, as you know …04

Along the way, I’d gone shopping at Thrifty Foods .. and my visit was made much better by the lovely daffodil that I was given!  It was a surprise and I felt great just walking along with this bright and cheerful flower nodding along in my shopping bag.  So, I just had to stop and take a photo.

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I liked the look of the mossy covered tree trunks.  But just looking at this picture with Saturday morning eyes .. I think they also resemble great big giant legs with mossy green slippers!  Just squint your eyes a little and you’ll see what I mean.

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I wonder if the Downy woodpecker is thinking about gathering some moss for a spring nest.  Or perhaps something else has caught her attention?

07For now, though, time to dine!

06Now .. this chubby little Robin .. is quite the robust little bird, isn’t he?  Dining al fresco on an apple nested snugly in the branches.

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Then he (she) is gone .. leaving the apple for other birds to dine on.  They aren’t greedy.

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Walking downtown, here is this great, gnarly tree, outside of St. Andrew’s Cathedral.  Talk about character .. gadzooks!

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And the remainder of a delicate little frost.  Not heavy enough to freeze the water so the birds can still sip.  Grateful for the lack of snow which is causing misery throughout the rest of Canada.

 

 

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And sometimes I take pictures like it’s my lifelong ambition to capture every single moment of activity around me.   Sometimes, if I’m visiting someplace new to me .. I want to capture the feel of the place.  What it looks like, sounds like, feels like.

Wanting to remember the crunching sounds made by my shoes as I walk on a gravel topped pathway, mixed in with those sounds are the lovely pine scent of the nearby conifers, the cheerful chirping of birds hidden from sight.

When I see the lovely dogs, stop and have a chat with their owners … seeing the happy faces of well-loved pets … brings joy to my spirit.

These are some of the reasons why I take the photos that I do.

But .. Saturday rushes in and I have lots to do today .. .no time for a walk .. that decadent treat will have to wait for another day.

🙂

 

 


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Some blue skies. Another series of lovely walks. And just plain admiring the beauty of nature.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

This year is just marching along like a little trooper.  One day follows the next and soon it will be summer.  Ok, I’m really an optimist.  And I’m one that is very slowly getting back into shape.  What with my long brisk walks and exercises.  Just enough to get me going and ready to work outside for 10 hours or so a day.

Just a few days ago .. the skies were like this all day

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And this … I really like the soft colours .. very dreamy

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And one slightly overcast day .. it appeared as if there were two sun’s trying to burst through the clouds .. at least that was what my imagination conjured up.

03I’ve been out walking nearly every day except for the odd weekend.  Lovely fast walks as I used to do.  So very invigorating.  One day, I’d barely set out when I noticed the flapping wings of an eagle low overhead.  It was flying from area of Royal Oak and was headed for Swan Lake.  I brought out my binoculars and focused on this magnificent bird way up high.

How lucky was I, to be outside at that very spot at that very moment .. to be able to witness this free flight.  It certainly started my journey off in a good positive way.

Everyday I go in a different, random direction.  And every day I’m finding more paths that lead to more paths (and nearly always … to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary!).  Perhaps that is how my life is heading right now.  Many paths, previously undiscovered by me .. but, there nonetheless.  If I hadn’t gotten out the door and out walking, well, I would never have discovered them.  I feel quite adventurous and curious.

I came upon an Anna .. quietly perched on a branch.

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Before she left .. she hovered .. seemed to look at me and then .. like a blur .. quickly flew away.

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Couldn’t help but notice the lush materials draping tree branches .. perfect for the birds to use for nesting material.   Everything is there for them.

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Perched quietly in the marsh grasses, well hidden, was a tiny bird.  Was it a female Nuthatch or a Wren?  I couldn’t quite tell, and didn’t want to disturb this lovely being.

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Along the way, some Robins were taking advantage of the quiet to have little baths to freshen up for the day.  I watched for awhile.

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Over at Tuesday pond, the marsh grasses that were planted by the hard-working volunteers have grown very well and provide some privacy for the ducks.  Love this.

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Very beautiful …

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Loving the soothing rustling sound of the dried grasses as a light breeze wends through their growth.  Not too much longer and the fresh new growth of spring will supplant these.

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Beauty of nature continues … the mosses and lichens covering the branches …

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A diminutive little Chestnut-backed Chickadee ….

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Well before I was born (and that was a “few” years ago) this marvellous tree was but a tiny little sapling.  Imagine what this tree has seen over the years.

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Are words needed here?  I thought not.

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Now .. this is a tree with character.  A survivor.  Strong and individual.

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Another example of nature taking over .. these branches will (hopefully) be left to break down over time, providing food and sanctuary for birds and the earth.

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The raindrops fell lightly upon the surface of Swan Lake .. one morning.

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And .. one evening .. the skies were kissed with rose .. quite a lovely look.

 

 

 

 

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This is the time of the year when energies flag.   Inspiration seems to have taken a holiday.  Energies are not at their peak.  It’s called .. “take a break and relax” .. really!  Some call it the doldrums.   Whatever.  I really want to be outside, tearing up the yard, making changes. Yet, what do I find myself doing instead?  Looking up at the sky.  And at the birds . .there is such a variety.  And glad to see both the male and the female Townsend warblers.

I’ve delegated a place in the yard for holding plants for our next place.   Seems I have quite a few.  And really, way too many plants for our current  yard.  I have a curse .. and that is .. I have a plant magnet in my personality .. that draws me to plant sales.  And try as  might to ignore this magnetic pull .. I fail miserably.

So last week, armed with a Groupon and a wonderful gift card from my DH .. I made my way to Cannor’s Nursery.   Oh.  No.   Plant sale.   Front and back.  So I chose a few.  Then decided that its high time to buy something that will look good, structure-wise for the yard.

And I chose 2 lovely items.   Made of metal and built for plants to grow on.  And easy to move around.  So I will take some photos tomorrow and share.

Well … time to go and watch Coronation Street.  There are 3 or 4 storylines that I wish would quickly end.   But, don’t get me started on that!

🙂