Thursday, October 6, 2011

Autumn Flowers and Autumn Birds

Design - "Sunflower Sampler"
Designer - Heart in Hand
Fabric - 32 count Summer Khaki Belfast linen
Fibers - GAST & WDW
Started - 27 September 2011
Completed - 2 October 2011

I changed the color of floss I used for the Blackbirds from WDW's 'Onyx' to DMC 310.  Careful observers may have noted that the sunflower acts as an 'O' in the alphabet.

I'm not sure that there is a more handsome bird than a male California Quail.

Or a more charming bird than an Anna's Hummingbird.  These tough little guys will spend the winter here.  I will supply nectar (sugar water) all Winter long, bringing it indoors at night so it does not freeze.  But Anna's are clever and turn into insectivores in the Winter. 

This gentleman has a rather 'rasta' or 'afro' look to his top-knot! 

I was pleased to see (after a couple of months AWOL) a Red Breasted Sapsucker hard at work.  You can see the new hole he is drilling on the Douglas Fir tree, just below his bill.  In fact the Anna's Hummingbirds will check out the Sapsucker's work - not for sap, but to eat the insects the sap attracts.

10 comments:

carol fun said...

What a pretty sampler! I love sunflowers and thanks for pointing out that the O is a flower - I didn't see it as I was too busy admiring the rest of it! Good call on the birds-- they should be black. I need to get a copy of this chart. It makes me smile.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh what a darling finish! Love that quail too! He is quite handsome :)

The Inspired Stitcher said...

What a sweet finish! I love that the "O" is a sunflower. It's so pretty.

I love the Red Breasted Sapsucker. I don't think I've ever seen one of those before.

Mindi said...

Sunflower sampler turned out beautiful. The male quail is so handsome, he looks like he should be in a coat with tails, tophat, and cravat.

Cath said...

A beautiful finish , and lovely pictures too .
I don't comment very often , but I do love to look at all of your gorgeous nature photos .
Thank you .XX

Siobhán said...

What a sweet finish! Great job! Love the bird photos, as always! I still remember the absolute delight that my FIL experienced the first time he saw a hummingbird at our house in Delaware--it was so neat. :)

Carol said...

I really like this finish, Beth! Beautiful stitching...Love the hummingbird, quail, and sapsuckers--amazing how many different varieties you spot each day!

CalamityJr said...

Great finish. Who doesn't love sunflowers?!!

Melanie said...

Very pretty!!! I see this being part of a blog header next year, for sure. :)

Unknown said...

Your Sunflower Sampler is terrific! I agree with you about switching to DMC 310. I prefer it over the handdyed ones.

Great bird pix. Our Hummers are still around, but probably not for long.