Honeysuckle Vine and Hummingbird Moth

We had a nice visit today from another fine featured friend. At least I think they are feathered. It was really quick and getting good pics was not easy. However this is what I got...Enjoy.

Nature Quirk

Every once in awhile Mother Nature has an off day and things just don't turn out the way they are suppose to...Case in point:

This Grackle is, well, a little bit out of sorts..........

This guy kept saying..."I feel light headed"

Here We Go 'round The Mulberry Tree

A very very long time ago my Grandmother taught my sisters and I a song about the Mulberry Tree/Bush. For over 50 years I have, from time to time, remembered some of those lyrics and thought it would be cool someday to actually go 'round the Mulberry Bush with my grandchildren. About 7 years ago my wife and I purchased 25 Mulberry Tree seedlings. We planted them in various locations around our property and after a few years of no berries and losing all but 4 trees we discovered that it usually takes about 7 years for these trees to mature enough to produce fruit. This year all 4 remaining trees produced a bumper crop and all 4 of the trees had an abundance of patrons including us and our grandchildren. Beside us, the featured and furry critters had a feast for a few weeks. And we enjoyed watching them enjoy it.

"Here we go 'round The Mulberry Bush........"

The Red Saucers and The Baltimore Orioles

I have read and have had many people tell me how the Orioles love oranges. I don't deny that. I just can't, in all honesty, confirm it. We have had many summer Oriole visitors over the years here in Chemung, NY. And that's all they were...just visitors passing through on their way to parts unknown. All the orange slices weren't enough of a draw to keep them here for very long. Last year we heard they also like grape jelly. Bingo!! The one or two transients became 6 or 8 breeding pairs who have stayed. This year the homemakers have really filled the air with there wonderful songs and calls. They come to the saucers continuously throughout the daylight hours. We are scolded if we are too active on the deck or if we are to close to "their" snack dishes. Oh, and they (The Orioles) are very picky also. No generic stuff for them either. Top shelf is all they will eat. In this case it's Welch's Grape Jelly. They can't get enough. And it all leads to some very beautiful pictures as well as some very happy Orioles. 

 

I'm really in to this Spring Color change.

Perhaps it's the underlining understanding that, this spring, I will no longer be a spring chicken but rather I will spring into the ranks of those eligible for Medicare, that I find it to be so colorful, and meaningful. The going from the winters cold white lifeless landscapes toward this now vibrant burst of rainbow shades of color is a transformation that I haven't quite experienced before. Maybe being retired and staying at home and watching the changes as they happen right in front of me on a daily basis makes me feel this rare emotion. I've seen, as our American Native brothers say, "many spring moons", but none of them have caught my eye like this year has. Shame on me for not paying more attention to this season change in past years. No I can't say that either because I have paid attention over the years. I love the spring time. Life reappears. All creatures and plants have that let's stretch and grow and bloom and become pretty and active again after a long dormant sleep. Could that be it? I can stretch, grow, and be active, but I suspect the bloom and get pretty days are well behind me. The gray has won a long and determined battle and the springing outta bed in the morning just isn't happening any more. I've always been an earlier riser and still am...but..there is no more bounce up and have at it. I take it nice and easy until the circulation takes its hold, and all the moving parts of my being are all awake and..well moving. Grabbing my coffee cup, I head for the deck. Breath deep..stretch..look..listen....Awwww. It's great to be alive and enjoy another spring morning. Listen to those beautiful songbirds. Look at that colorful landscape and all those beautiful colorful birds and plants near bloom. And look at how high the grass is getting. Perhaps I better crank up the mower today.

Enjoy the spring my friends. Enjoy the spring. Enjoy your life. Enjoy our wildlife. Enjoy the changing of the colors of your life and surroundings. 

I'm really in to this Spring Color change. I hope you are also.......

Trout Lily