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.
Next year, I vow (again) I will have an improved veggie garden.
I’m learning (quickly) my strengths and weaknesses in growing vegetables.
My pal D has a definite green thumb. She can grow tomatoes like there is no tomorrow, harvesting hundreds of tomatoes from several plants. She even gave me 2 healthy specimens for my garden. Alas, I have not harvested as many as she has. She nurtures the plants, carefully watering them, turning them daily to ensure they receive enough sunlight. I, on the other hand, do water them but not as carefully. And the squash tendrils (from the container squash plants) have quite grown through the tomatoes so that I cannot easily turn the pots.
Ah, next year!!
And my squash plants have gone crazy! I’ve planted 3 types so won’t be able to save the seed from this years crops .. but, hey, that is what Seedy Saturdays are for! These look like spaghetti squash, but I don’t think they are … pretty though. Labeling the plants would help! sigh.
Nice hidden treasures …
It feels like Christmas morning, going outside to check on the squash! Little hidden treasures on the ground.
Here is a reason why I have difficulty turning some tomato plants around … squash has taken over!
Quite literally – taken over .. growing onto the grass ..
I made a makeshift area for the squash to grow … they seem to like this! (next year, ahem, I’ll plan accordingly, in advance of planting the squash seeds!) The joys of gardening, the adventures! The discoveries! Plus .. happy memories to remember in the winter!
I had filled Rubbermaid containers with water, to make it easier to nourish some plants that weren’t directly in the easy reach of the hose. One day I found a ladybug vainly trying to swim in the water .. oh, silly ladybug, you are meant to fly, not swim! So I scooped her out .. see ..
And then I gently placed her on the leaf of a nearby .. yes! Squash leaf! They do come in handy for these types of rescues!
Hard to believe that this area was quite thickly planted with my lovely garlic … and now home to squash! Happy memories of my garlic … time to plant again in a few months. Yum!
Kentucky Wonder Beans … although they grew rapidly up the lattice, I haven’t harvested many beans from these, planted in a container.
Quite an abundant harvest from the same type of bean, growing in partial shade, twisting and turning .. as they grow just as rapidly
Happy honeybees ….
Any excuse to stop and marvel at the magic of nature ..
I’ve lost the marker for this flower .. any idea of the name??? I bought it for the hummingbirds .
I bought 2 of these little feeders at the SPCA thrift store in Port Alberni weeks ago .. the Nuthatch approves!
And this dear little Chickadee is happy also!
Well .. the day is starting .. time to grab a pail and check out the local blackberries .. for juicing later on today …
The hot sunny weather continues … these are the lovely long days of summer! Here’s a pic of my first attempts at braided garlic. As I went along, braiding rope after rope, I began to imagine how easy it would be to incorporate coloured ribbon, flowers, all sorts of things. That will be my goal for next year.
For now, I’m happy with the rustic look. These will be gifts to friends .. and for me, a reminder of the summer. A complete day given up to sorting this years garlic crop. Hours spent, trimming the roots, brushing away the surplus soil. Sorting into sizes and beginning my attempts at braiding! A very happy day. Oh .. and I must select the largest cloves for planting this fall!
All the garlic is now braided or bunched and hanging to continue the drying. I stood there amongst the garlic … savoring the tranquility and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment. Oh, and I also dreamed a bit. Of moving to a place with more land so I could grow more garlic. I’m also growing shallots, they are easy to grow .. so would like to plant more of that also. A gal has to have a dream, right?
One of the zillion busy bees in the garden. Industrious creatures are bees …
Shasta daisy .. a cheerful sight to behold in the front yard. Modest flowers, I don’t notice them growing away until they burst into flowers adding so much beauty . . asking for nothing in return, save a bit of water in order to grow.
The edible peas are growing into giants and I harvest some daily. Still magical, isn’t it .. one little seed produces so much food. And such beauty. These vines have grown quite tall, over 6 feet in height. I’ll be saving some seeds for next year, you can bet!
I love this sky .. reminds me of a giant bowl of clouds being stirred around ..
Now .. this is an impressive cloud …
I watched as it evolved quickly, growing and spreading … see the cavern in the center? There was rain hours later …
A happy view of the suns rays beaming down onto this developing formation …
My favourite channel to tune into .. the sky … every changing and breathtaking ..
The Pawnee coming in for a landing .. it is the tow plane for the sailplane (glider). Having released the happy pilot & passenger way up in the blue skies .. it will land in a few seconds. Lovely plane. Formerly used for crop dusting, now it has a happier life towing sailplanes! The only thing that should be spread on crops is compost tea!
Ohhhhh .. a baby, wispy cloud.. how ethereal …sky art.
Look Dick, see Jane and hey Spot .. here is the Pawnee …
Nothing cheers me up like the sky does. No matter what is happening down here .. there is always something beautiful to see up there. Not man-made .. just nature doing its thing!
Yesterday I spent some time bracing up my bean crop. Using cut lengths of bamboo .. I made a makeshift frame and began running strings from the horizontal bamboo to tie onto the beans and peas to give them something to hold onto as they began their upward growth.
I was wearing my gardening outfit, muddy as usual and kneeling on the ground, focusing on ensuring that the string was snug when suddenly there was a flapping of tiny wings and a young sparrow landed on a length of bamboo that was just inches away from me. I think it got caught in the strings and then decided to cling to the bamboo to get its bearings. I scarcely dared to breathe and didn’t make any movements as we locked eyes .. Me looking at this tiny little innocent bird as it, in turn, stared, wide-eyed back at me. Complete silence for a brief moment of time.
The little tiny feet couldn’t quite get a grip on the smooth surface of the bamboo and he twirled and swirled in graceful minute arcs, round and round. Quickly he flew away and I, just as quickly, added some yellow plastic ties to warn other winged creatures that the strings were there.
Later on I stood quietly watching birds in the cherry tree .. munching away .. and saw the same sparrow. It had to be the same one, as he continued to swing in circles around branches. A fledgling member of the Cirque du Soleil, perhaps?
There are always unexpected surprises in the garden. Whether these be unexpected flowers, playful encounters with my feathered friends .. or something like this:
Honest to Pete, I had tried my best EM treatment with this Mexican Orange tree. It was one that I had neglected and it was really nothing but a stick with a few branches, nothing green whatsoever. I applied a liberal dose of EM about a month ago, but nothing happened. I was going to chop it up for composting, but, just hadn’t gotten around to it.
Yesterday, moving things around in the back yard, I happened to see this strong new growth.
It was one of those magical gardening moments and I just felt again the impact of the forcefulness of nature, the resilience of plants (and the power of EM). This was awesome and in so many ways it was a sign of encouragement and of not giving up. Truly an inspirational moment and humbling at the same time.
A mini-miracle that gave me such joy. And affirmed once again the positive power that we all discover in the garden.
Busy times for everyone at this time of the year. Watering our gardens, ensuring that all of our veggie plants are growing well.
Me .. well .. I’ve harvested my garlic crop. I think that I dug them up a few weeks early, but that’s where the impatient side of my personality kicked in! The garlic cloves that I’d planted so carefully last October, in neat little rows had fun moving around during the fall, winter and spring. Sometimes there were 3 garlic bulbs growing together. There was a variety of sizes, from small to medium to huge .. so that was all right!
Well .. look here .. what is this strange object in the midst of my garlic beds??
Ok, I was having fun with the timer on our camera … hadn’t used it before and wanted to see what I looked like in my lovely garlic bed. Don’t ask how many times I had to reset the camera and run back and quickly look relaxed .. oh, it was fun.
Our Mr. Duncan is the epitome of cool and I recently watched him as he sauntered up the back stairs. .. note the flaring ears as I called to him .. hey, Mr. D ….
whaaaaat …… I’m busy .. lady.
I’m babysitting some plants for a friend and was quite upset a few weeks ago, when this lovely specimen was nearly a goner. You can’t tell by this photo .. but I’d not watered this plant for a while and was sickened to see that most of the leaves were brown and crinkly. I watered with a liberal dose of EM and look here .. magic!
My lovely garlic crop, nearly all dug up …
Garlic placed on makeshift work tables (2 work tables with framed lattice in between …resulting in a lot of space to work with. And I found an easy braiding recipe and will share those photos next time. They look rustic and I’m quite proud of them.
Random beauty . .a surprise flowering rocky rose
A surprise little beetle .. looks like a ladybug .. alights on a garlic ..
It was walking for miles on its tiny little legs .. quickly scurrying up garlic stems ..
I watched as it travelled endlessly … and finally it went to the ground. A huge universe open for adventures … one that is hidden from my eyes ..
And then … far far away …
I had set the sprinkler on at the back of the yard .. left it and later on heard the joyous chirps of the Bush-tits and Chickadees … quietly went over and tried to see what was going on, what were they doing? So difficult to see them in all this greenery.
Look .. the tiny little darlings were having a fantastic time .. showering in the tiny drops of water .. grooming themselves .. I was able to take a few photos …what a wonderful time they were having …made me smile and feel happy too!
Lovely little darlings, aren’t they …its moments like this that adds a big sparkle to the magic of gardening …
Well .. that is just a tiny bit of what has been going on in my life … and so I am donning my gardening costume, brewing another cup of tea and racing outside, to make some bamboo climbers for my Cannelloni beans to grow up against.
Life is just a busy fun place to be and sometimes I speed up when I really should slow down. And that is where friends come in!
I have been busy working on the little garden at the Dakota Cafe for the past 3 mornings. One day spent weeding and digging through the plants with my pal D to help me out. The next day was intensive weeding and planting. And this morning, a frenzied time of cutting back Rex Rosemary which had grown to be too high for the windows of the cafe .. it was getting difficult for customers to spot planes through the windows.. so a massive cutback was done (sob). I’ve taken most of the cuttings home and will try to propagate them. No photos really, but once the little flowers start blooming, I’ll be clicking away.
It sure felt good to work intensively for 3 hours or so at a time … and I was spoiled and given tea by lovely Jess .. so I happily drank my tea and gazed upwards at the blue skies. Lots of planes, eagles, turkey vultures and other birds. Sheer heaven.
Then time for a visit with D and her son … she gave me some great clay pots and I plan to make a crooked planting, arranging them on a section of rebar in the garden. Then she showed me a little ladybird dragon that was morphing into a ladybug on the nasturtium leaf… how very magical! Also, she has a Garry Oak growing in her hop plant ….I forgot to take a photo, but believe me .. it is there and very healthy. How exciting!!
Then D wanted me to go to see the amazing boulevards in the Haultain area and here is one that is just spectacular .. I think that the homeowners were advocating boulevard gardens years ago, they were very hardworking. And from the look of their boulevard gardens and their private gardens they haven’t slowed down a bit! Very impressive and inspirational.
And they have provided a lovely rustic area for passersby to relax …
Colourful nasturtium flower peeking out from the feverfew ..
Along another boulevard … labelling helps identify the plants, such as this one:
and here is the California Tree Poppy (listed above):
I love this “secret” front door …. well done!
Then it was time for refreshments … at a lovely little table outside the coffee shop … see the darling dog in the background? His doggy parents were making sure he was in the shade, had access to water and he was one happy little guy!
Yea .. coffee grounds for the garden .. happy to see ..
I’m betting that the coffee grounds/compost material doesn’t stay around for long, there are many gardeners in the area so I counted myself very fortunate to have this bag. Oh, see the red/white polka dot bag behind this? It’s my special surprise purchase from today.
There is so much to see and do here in Victoria .. here are some posters showing some of the activities, music, dance, drumming ….
Ok .. this is where my special unexpected purchase took place. As D and I walked down the street, past little shops, I noticed some clothing on a rack outside of a high-end hair dressing establishment. Couldn’t see anything in particular .. and as I know that normally clothes that are displayed outside these types of shops tend to be expensive, I wasn’t expecting to be interested in anything. However, something compelled me to move closer. This shopping bag is quite interesting, thousands of cut pieces of fabric knotted onto soft burlap. Nope, I wasn’t interested …
But then I fell in love with this very funky dress .. it is from Italy! The owners of the shop had taken a trip there and brought back some clothes to sell. Not sure if this photo does the dress justice, but this dress is me! It’s raggedy, swirling, colourful and I love the uneven hem. See the round circles on the front, showing the colourful fabric beneath . .these aren’t pockets, just design circles. This is my new sunshine dress and I plan to wear it a lot this summer! I’ve been looking for a nifty dress and so happy now I found it! This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t gone for this walk with D!!! I can’t imagine not having this lovely fun item of clothing! See the pea flowers along the right of the dress … they match!
And here is my sparkly hat (gold threads woven through that just shine in the sun!): So now I am all set for the summer!
Then it was time to check out a lovely new little grocery shop and they have a machine that will grind up grains …. well done.
Back at home, there was just a little more garlic to harvest. Time passes so quickly, it just seems like yesterday when I was planting the cloves in October. Now we have gone full circle.
The garlic is now outside, curing in the sunshine .. and I plan to try to braid the soft necked garlic.
Well, it’s been a busy day. D and I parted ways .. I went shopping for groceries and beer .. promised myself a wee glass of wine when I got home!
And now I must go outside to see if the sage cuttings (from Dakota) are doing well and to put them in a bucket of water .. tomorrow I will taking cuttings of them, the Rex Rosemary and some Wormwood cuttings also.
Also, lately I’ve been buying more plants. I know, I promised months ago that I wouldn’t and I have not yet kept that promise. However, a few days ago, when D and I were returning from gardening at the Dakota Cafe .. the traffic was quite heavy on the highway. So she suggested that it might be a good time to turn left and go visit the Art Knapp garden centre at Mattick’s Farm.
What the hey, I thought, so my car dutifully turned left and .. drum roll … once again I did not keep my plant promise. Due to the heat .. there were a lot of plants for sale. I should mention that we’ve been undergoing a heat wave and plants are just going crazy.
Anyway, there were a lot of deals and I bought all sorts of veggies, 3 different squash plants, a tomato, and many others. Besides some interesting berries, a purple raspberry and I just can’t remember the others. Oh, red onion sets, white onions, a dill .. countless others. They have been soaking in EM and water since yesterday and tomorrow I can plant them in the areas now vacated by the garlic.
Speaking of which, I harvested the last of the garlic .. kind of a nostalgic moment .. and it was a very satisfying feeling to think back to last fall, culling the largest cloves for planting. Then the process of preparing the beds, planting them. Covering with the seaweed that D helped me collect last summer. And then I watered with EM at various times.
Well .. it’s been a day .. just really wanted to share my fantastic dress, really, I just love it!
Lovely summer days, not sure if it is officially summer yet ..but we’ve had quite a few (more than 3!) days of warm sunny weather.
And, yeah, yesterday I began again my lovely long morning walks. I’d started the year out well, walking and exercising .. however, that had to be put on hold for a number of months while DH and I worked on the landscaping of our rental.
Now that is complete and my walking adventures continue!
Lovely border flourishing at the edge of the local allotment gardens!
And this garden area looked most welcoming .. very friendly and open.
Farther along .. I think this is Cottonwood fluff … looks a lot like snow!
Lovely cheerful sunlight lights up the leaves …
Can you see the tiny little dot to the left of the tree trunk? A spritely little Robin poses for a minute.
At very long last .. closer to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary!!!! Feels like I”m going home for a visit .. it’s been awhile!
Aptly named, eh?
Not many people out as I walked along the pathways. Serious birders have most likely come and gone. I passed a few joggers and some teenagers .. but otherwise, it was a lovely quiet moment in time.
All is quite peaceful at Tuesday Pond .. I’ve missed the baby ducklings and goslings. Noticed this couple of Mallards, quickly snapped a photo and silently backed away .. to leave them undisturbed, although they knew I was there. This is their home, after all, and I am but a visitor there. Respect.
How splendid .. all growing things are fully leafed out …
I tiptoed along the little bridge spanning Tuesday Pond, not wanting to disturb the bathing ritual of the little Robin below.
One of the million or so wild roses blooming .. scenting the air with their most beautiful perfume ..
Dainty little wild flowers have been lovingly planted in spaces along the rock’s surface …
Next I notice the hawk perched high above .. overseeing the Sanctuary . . he knows I’m there and turns his heard around several times to stare at me as lift my little camera to take a photo. Decides I’m not going to cause any trouble … so that’s a good thing!
Time for a quick grooming …
A loose feather is plucked out .. and I watched as it tumbled … floating gently into the blackberry bushes below. I was so tempted to wade into the chest-high grasses to retrieve it, but decided to leave it. I even stepped a few feet into the grass, but realized that the odds of finding the feather in the thick growth of blackberries that surrounded the base of the tree were slim to none.
Leaving the Hawk to continue his search for breakfast .. I continued on my way.
Beautiful … beautiful .. beautiful …
No birds about .. must signify that the eagles are nearby …
The little observatory .. and I searched for the remains of the Marsh Wren’s nest, but couldn’t see any …
What a wonderful way to start the day! And then I spent the rest of this most marvellous day playing in the yard. Mulching the garlic beds with the seaweed that D & I collected last week. This garlic crop is stupendous. Some of the soft necks were growing out of the ground and they were huge! Also. although I’d planted the cloves some distance apart, somehow, during the winter, some of them had converged into groups of 2 and 3!!
Ah well .. time for another walking adventure and backyard gardening!
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.
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.
The joy of walking along an undiscovered route heightens the enjoyment of my lovely daily walks.
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.Imagine, 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!!
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.
So this is, I believe, part of Swan Creek .. lots of water and the reason for the bridge (above) 🙂
This area is vast .. so beautiful to see unique gardening plots .. lots of work.
Each gardener has their own unique way of gardening. Variety, as you know …
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.
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.
I wonder if the Downy woodpecker is thinking about gathering some moss for a spring nest. Or perhaps something else has caught her attention?
For now, though, time to dine!
Now .. this chubby little Robin .. is quite the robust little bird, isn’t he? Dining al fresco on an apple nested snugly in the branches.
Then he (she) is gone .. leaving the apple for other birds to dine on. They aren’t greedy.
Walking downtown, here is this great, gnarly tree, outside of St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Talk about character .. gadzooks!
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.
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.
I’ve been discovering such a variety of walks in my neighbourhood, makes for such a fun opportunity to strike out and get some exercise. Plus I keep on meeting some lovely dogs and see such a variety of birds.
I just love walking. In the rain, in snow, under cloudy skies and on sunny days. For 30 minutes, an hour, 2 hours .. all day! And I try to keep up a brisk pace and only stop for short periods of time to watch birds or talk.
Ok, I don’t mean to say that “I” talk .. by myself .. well, that would be a little strange.
However I’ve noticed quite a number of people out in public, seemingly talking away on a hidden earpiece which is connected (I hope!) to some kind of new-fangled cell phone or whatever. I wonder if people know how weird this looks .. out in public by themselves .. talking away .. looks a little strange. I always try to steer away from these people. They reveal so much about their personal lives .. not realizing that we can hear them … ick.
No .. I mean to say that when I’m out walking and stop and talk to doggy parents and their dogs.
Today I decided that I’ll vary my time walking .. so instead of leaving at a specific time for a specific route .. I’ll endeavor to add variety .. which is the spice of life.
Just a quick calculation on walking routes brought up at least 10 choices at least, from our front door.
From a to b or a to z .. which one I take will be up to me! 🙂
Yesterday, after just 10 minutes out . .. I met a lovely little dog named Miko (sp?):’At first she was very very shy … and then … less and less so ..
Till finally, I was kneeling on the sidewalk and she had jumped up, put her little paws on my arm and was giving me kisses! Lovely darling little Miko.
Her new family had adopted her from the local SPCA, about a month ago .. what a wonderful Christmas gift she is.
Cloudy skies yesterday .. so I’ll slip in a photo from a few days ago just for fun.
I was so excited about seeing Jupiter on Monday night! I’d contacted the Dominion Observatory and received the information that on Tuesday, the Moon would then be on the left side of Jupiter .. so I was quite looking forward to seeing that. Unfortunately, with the overcast skies that didn’t work out. Here is a NASA site, click on the video to see more about Jupiter and other planets close to the moon in January (how exciting!):
Here s one of my latest greatest gardening gadgets. I’d always wanted one and it was on sale at Lee Valley!!! Bonus. Plus, the instructions are printed on the handle. How clever is this.
Easy to operate, see how the grippers open up … you place these in the center of the dandelion which is happily growing in the lawn, and then step on the lever
This action causes the grippers to close tightly around the dandelion
And all you do then is to lift the digger from the ground and see … dandelion plus the tap-root .. successfully removed!! No chemicals needed. No pouring of vinegar into the soil – which not only kills the weeds, but also upsets the balance of soil life and kills the worms that are so important in chewing through the soil
See … complete dandelion removed. And now . .. you can just lay the whole plant at the side of the garden, to let the plant dry out (and the goodness of the plant will be absorbed by the soil). Then you can just add the dried plant to the compost pile. No, it won’t re-grow. It will break down into the lovely compost. All natural.
I was also very fortunate on another great gardening tool … a compost turner. I was going to buy one and lucky to find that there was one in the sale bin, half price. Oh, happy days.
Robust Robin, tucked away in the tree ..
And later on, found this happy Robin … munching away on the apples that have fallen from the apple tree (wild root-stock, apples are not tasty at all .. but the birds don’t mind).
Ms Downy Woodpecker is nibbling at one of the suet blocks … here she has a blob of suet on her beak … hmmm… I don’t think that she meant this to happen.
Ms. Townsend’s Warbler patiently awaited her turn at the suet block.
And the Anna’s took to their new hummingbird feeders right away. This is part of a double feeder, which has the option of being used separately also. Supposedly these feeders deter ants and hornets. Well .. we shall see.
Some snowdrops growing away .. luckily without the snow.
Oh .. and my garlic crop has been growing away. I’d tried to deter this by piling on more seaweed and chopped oak leaves .. but yesterday, decided that I can’t fight Mother Nature. So I carefully lifted away the heavy top layer. Some greens broke off, but I figure more might grow. Anyway, just another example of how growth will continue, despite my efforts to deter it. Thus, a lot of the greens are actually white and spindly, crooked from seeking the sunlight. No worries. After a few more days .. they will be strong and green. Then it will be time for another photo session.
While I was busy doing this work of removing the top composted layer .. I suddenly noticed some loud thumping noises coming from the back fence … in some bay and laurel bushes. What the hey … it sounded like some animals having a fight but I couldn’t figure out more than that.
Suddenly a form flew out and landed on one of the big sturdy branches of my wild and crazy tree (the wild pear rootstock, now a huge tree). It was a huge hawk. Looked to be about 2 feet in height and only about 10 feet away.
I said a few expletives out of surprise and we just stared away at each other I saw some orange colouring in the tail feathers and was admiring the charcoal and white variegated body feathers. Then it swiftly and quietly flew away. I couldn’t see anything in the beak so don’t know if the bird that was attacked got away. A few minutes later I went over to the bushes, but could only find 2 tiny black and white feathers. So, while I hoped that the hawk hadn’t caught one of the Downy Woodpeckers, I couldn’t be sure that he had captured something.
Now this is something that must go on daily in the yard .. but to be actually outside while it was happening ….was pretty darn exciting. True nature.
Then I spent time sorting out the stones that were caught up in the seaweed that D & I had gathered…. to use in a garden feature. Tedious work sorting through the piles of seaweed over my soil sifter .. but well worth the effort. Once I figure out what the garden feature will be like. No worries though … the ideas will come when I’m working with the soil. They always do.
Everyday I think .. that perhaps I’ll just sit down at the computer and type away. And every day I don’t. There seems to be a timeline that works best for me .. early morning ..and once that early time has passed .. the day just gets to be busy and so I procrastinate till later.
Weather has been fantastic. Lots of sun which results in lots of birds flying around the yard.
Some photos of the lovely sky paintings recently:
This series of formations were just awesome ..
As you can see .. a lot of time spent, again, gazing upwards ..
Little Bushtits .. many more this year. The families are growing. Note to self: research these darling little birds and find out their territory and more details. Very clever and cheerful little sprites, they are!
They just seem to swirl into the yard. I have 5 suet holders so there is lots for everyone.
Little Chickadees visit the feeders and the suet blocks …alternating between both, for a more balanced diet. And all of these little birds peck away at insects on the trees, on the house .. everywhere. They certainly earn their keep. Plus they bring so much joy into my world.
But .. look here .. this very striking bird started visiting our yard a few days ago. Thus far I’ve only had the most tantalizing little glimpses. Yesterday I stood motionless for at least half an hour, trying to take a picture! A few days ago, I happened to be standing by a suet holder and this little bird flew to a branch just inches away. I didn’t dare breathe .. just stood quietly so I could watch.
Yesterday .. I was busy trimming branches and omg .. there she is!!!!! Quickly whipped out the camera and so lucky to snap some photos! I’ve learned that she is a female Townsend Warbler! How exciting is this! And they are only in a specific area …living in forests .. and here she is .. in our little mini-forest!!!
Time to go outside and work with some of the seaweed that my pal D and I gathered a few days ago. Another great day and I’ll share that tomorrow.
For now, though … .here is lovely Val … we met her at Sooke and she posed for a photo. What a darling kind dog she is!!So, time to make a mug of tea, change into my gardening costume and head outdoors!
The sun was shining brightly yesterday and I spent some timeless time in the garden .. really got a lot done.
Moved more of the Miracle Mulch, placing some as mulch in the side perennial gardens and some around the potted trees. Almost done. Plus there are more containers full at the side of the house. Whew …I’d ordered a lot a few months ago .. moved it all from the driveway to the back … and then just left it all for a while. The earthworms have already moved in, working away to turn the mulch into beautiful soil.
More time spent gazing upwards at the changing beauty up there ….would ephemeral describe these wispy clouds? I think so.
Some temporary garden art! I removed the ice from the top of a container of water and placed it in front of one of my garden signs.
The birds, all of them, from the European starlings to the Chickadees .. have feasted from this apple and still there are lots left for them to nibble on.
More of that lovely eye candy ..
Containers of strawberries .. I need to plant them in the ground soon before the frost! Even then, though, I’m not worried.I’d been standing in the kitchen earlier, looking out the window at the birds visiting the little feeder. Notice that one little Fox Sparrow had problems with his left eye. Don’t know whether he’d been attacked or was ill, but his vision was gone in that eye and there was a raised section of pink around the bottom and side of that eye. Poor little guy.
Once outside, I’d noticed the same little Sparrow still in the feeder. Guarding the space for himself. I was glad he found some refuge for awhile.
He ate steadily .. keeping his good right eye alert for any intruders. DH & I watched him for a while. His feathers were fluffed out and he seemed to be breathing quite heavily, his little chest would puff in and out, like an accordion. I was sure he was ill and glad he had a place to rest. Although .. he was back today, glad to see!
After awhile .. he left the feeder and flew up to the roof … perched there for a while. Looking around.
A few times he would look straight down at me .. I wondered what he was thinking … was he aware that I was supplying the food? Back in the feeder .. and I don’t think he really noticed this intruder, pecking away at the seed .. he didn’t seem to mind him being there.
As usual . there was a waiting line outside the feeder.
Once again .. another bird waited, closer ….but when he finally flew towards the feeder .. the little Fox Sparrow quickly spread his left wing out straight to ward him away! This happened so quickly. It was definitely a fighting stance.
And it worked … the other bird was deflected and flew away. I stood for a while and watched as the Sparrow continued this defensive activity. At times he would fling out both wings, straight out! The body language was unmistakable.
There is still a flat of sage plants (and roses also!) to plant … where does the time go!
Brrr …. ice still on the surface of the bird’s watering hole (one of those upturned tomato cages with a shallow bowl!)
Time for a tea break. I love this … being outside, rain or sun … mug of tea, music …
Soaked up all the beautiful skies that I could yesterday .. as the weather reports indicate rain for a few days. Enjoy.
At the base of the cherry tree, Calendula plants growing everywhere, fresh mulch applied. Found one of those lovely glass globes that we used to be able to buy at Capital Iron. I have a few more scattered somewhere .. green .. gold .. amber
Another lovely day .. time spent in the yard … and all that is beautiful around it!
Brrrrr … no snow (yet) and we are very lucky so far. At least, for those of us who don’t leap at the thought of cross-country skiing or downhill or other winter sports!
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I’ve spent a few hours here and there out in the back yard. Using the weed eater to chop up some of the many bags of oak leaves that I’d collected over the past month. I think I had about 30 bags and so far have about 15 or so to chop up. Using the weed eater certainly speeds up the process for the leaves to compost. At first I put some leaves in an empty garbage container (only used for the garden, though). Eventually the cords on the weed eater would become entangled so I changed my method.
Now I just empty a bag of leaves in one area of the garden and then proceed to break them up. Works like a charm. And no worries if the occasional bits of leaves tumble onto the lawn .. this only serves to feed the soil. That wonderful ecosystem that I’ve learned to pay more attention to. All that busy microbial universe that, until I took my Organic Master Gardening course this year .. I was (sadly) totally unaware of. Now that my awareness has been raised .. I pay more attention to how I treat my garden. And so happy with the results.
Anyway, just wanted to share some photos of a trip to the beach a week ago. D & I collected some lovely chopped up seaweed! The kelp was lovely, sliced into perfect circles .. perfect for the garden. If the weather permits, we’ll make another trip there this week to gather some of this lovely broken seaweed!
On this trip, we went to Mom’s Cafe! Lovely place .. has been under various ownerships in the past few years, but the food is still delicious, even if the tea was a tad on the costly side! We each had a bowl of the salmon & corn chowder (wild salmon of course!) and it was delicious to the last drop.
I’ve been a little busy in the past few weeks .. making soaps and spending zillions of hours in packaging them. Quite enjoying this and rediscovering the joy I used to have, many years ago, in concocting various recipes. Sort of like revisiting the past, with a modern perspective.
So I’ve allowed myself to be a little lazy (that is, not going 18 hours a day) over the past few days .. and quite enjoying this, for a change. Realize that I’m not the kind of person not to be involved in 2 or 3 projects simultaneously … I think that this is normal for me. Boredom hits me when I don’t have deadlines.
sigh.
Anyway .. just wanted to share my photos .. and so now I’m going about my day .. in my most lovely life!
My Lovely Garden … Mon Joli Jardin 