Follow the Swallow

Two weeks in a row I've dedicated Wednesday to stitching on this WIP.  Once again good progress. Four more shamrocks and the word 'Luck'. If I can continue to use Wednesday this way, I'll get some of my larger WIPs finished after languishing for months.   

I haven't reported on my swallows for a while.

I do love the bright blue of the Tree Swallows and the liquid sounds they make.

The Tree Swallows used this house last year.

They occupied it again this year and built their nest.

Mama has been sitting on eggs for a while now, and as of Monday we heard the high chirping of babies!  Now both parents are busy flying in and out of the nest feeding the hungry hatchlings. 

I had a second pair of Tree Swallows looking at this hose, but I'm not sure that it has been 'rented'.

I think there are at least four pairs of Violet-Green Swallows.

This fellow is looking down at...

...his mate who was house-hunting.

This house has been 'taken' by a pair of birds.

This house also occupants.  

The nest is built - there are bits of straw sticking out from the bottom of the house. 

Violet-green Swallows are in the nest-building stage at this house. 

The Swallow had a wonderfully large white feather to add to the nest.

But had a heck of a time figuring out how to get the feather in the house.  He dropped it at least two times and had to battle other swallows to retain possession.

I was pleased and relieved when the bird, and the feather made it safely inside the bird house.

Memorial Monday

While many folks now celebrate Memorial weekend with a barbecue or a camping trip, we still take time to place flowers at the graves of family members.    

I hope that you are able to take a moment today to think of the friends and family members who are no longer part of your life except in fond memories. 

End of May Garden Efforts

Ah-oh!  Another flat of plants...

Make that two more flats of plants.

The good news is that I've already found homes for most of them.

I'm hoping to have a begonia display this year - using the old-fashioned begonias that the Victorians loved so much.

My sedum theater is almost done.  I still need to purchase 4 or five more plants.

This display is done.  The bottom shelf is reserved for sleeping, shade-seeking cats.

I have high hopes for this big blue pot.  Planted it with purple plants: Salvia 'Amistad',  Lavender "Spanish Eyes', Salvia 'Fairy Queen', and Angelenia augustifolia 'Angelface Blue'.  

Soon this penstemon is going to explode with color.

Peony - a traditional Memorial Day flower.

Volunteer sweetpeas.

Volunteer poppies.

Volunteer foxglove.

As the month ends, the mudroom flowerbed has some nice color.  The bumble bees are in love with the purple salvia on the left, while the hummingbirds like the pink saliva - something for everyone!

Chippies Rule

Some mornings there are just two, others there are as many as seven chipmunks on the Big Woodpile. 

No matter the numbers, they are all cute as can be.

Such tiny paws - so dainty.

My favorite pose - doing the splits.

Cute paws close up.

And those big brown eyes!

Blue Bird, Red and Black Birds

I'm making good progress in my Bluebird.

It's time once again to check up on my red and black birds.

I don't see the female Hairy Woodpecker all that often. 

My theory is that she is nesting.

When I do see her, it often seems to be late in the evening.

Perhaps she's getting a snack before returning to the nest.

The male Hairy Woodpecker is around 24/7.

See that long woodpecker tongue?

He runs off the Starlings when he comes to the feeder, and I admire that!

He is not the alpha woodpecker though, the male Acorn Woodpecker runs off the Hairy to eat at my cylinder feeder.

I think the female Acorn Woodpecker is nesting too. 

I've rarely seen her at the feeders the past couple of weeks. 

The male Acorn is a feeder hog.

He is extremely active at the feeders, I think he is bringing back food for his mate.

I found some acorns I'd collected in the fall, and I set out a few. The Acorn Woodpecker was delighted!

I've got both male and female Flickers eating peanuts...

...ants...

...and suet.

Here's a female Flicker.

I also was fortunate to see a couple of my 'irregular' woodpeckers.

Gotta' love the bright red head of a Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Thanks for stopping by!

And here's proof it was an extra-special Woodpecker Week. 

A Pileated Woodpecker stopped by!