Bluebird Celebration

Design - "Little Birds Calendar" - "Eastern Bluebird"

Designer - The Little Stitcher

Fabric - 32 count Vintage Mocha linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 18 May 2018

Completed - 21 May 2018

Well, I don't have Eastern Bluebirds, but upon occasion a Western Blue or two stops by.

Looking through my photos, I've had Bluebirds every year since 2011. 

I had high hopes that this year they'd use my nest box.

We'll try again next year.

2018 had a very handsome male...

...and a very young female bird.

Compare this male...

...with this one from a couple of years ago.

He looks to be very young.

And this one from 2012 looks like a mature male.  No matter, they are beautiful birds.

  

May's Last Walk

Things are still green and fresh; let's go outside.

The Columbia Lily is growing straight and true.

Columbine...

...just love them.

Horsetails

The Big Creek still has a bit of water flowing.

Corn Lilies

I think this is Meadow Rue.

The Indian Plum (Osoberry) has already set fruit.

The Serviceberry has done the same.

Chokecherry blooms do not last long. 

Dogwood

Bog Leaf Maple - oodles of seeds for the birds and critters.

Hawthorn - a symbol of May's fertility.

Really Truly

I'm really and truly stitching the Redwing Blackbird and am loving the deep rich colors used for this pattern.

The Cedar Waxwings have returned! Here they are...

...and off they go!

They are a seasonal bird for me - late spring through early autumn.

Something about that black-band across the eye, the crest on the head, the yellow-tipped tail feathers. 

What's not to like?

They normally appear in numbers and chat with one another, so I often hear them before I see them. Look at the wild crest feathers on the bird on the left!  He's rockin' it!

In this photo you can see the bird on the right is making the high pitched whistle that is unique to these birds.

In this photo you can see the red blobs on the wings that give the bird the name Waxwing.

I think the Prairie Schooler did a good job honoring the Cedar Waxwings in stitch.

Memorial Day

A day to honor those who served.  

I have extensive document military service my material grandmother's family including the Upton / Carter families beginning with Benjamin Upton.

He ran away from home (Maryland) as a teenager and enlisted for service in the War of 1812 in Ohio.  He was born about 1793 and after the war ended he moved to Pennsylvania where he married Ellen McCray and raised a family.  He died the 3rd of March 1877 and is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery near Garland, PA.

Benjamin's son, James Upton (1834-1877) served with Company I of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War.  He too is is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery near Garland, PA.

Lastly, Joseph Carter (1829-1889), father-in-law of James Monroe Upton (1863-1943) also served in the Civil War in Company B of the Pennsylvania 82nd.  He is buried Bear Lake Cemetery, Warren Township, PA.  

We are most fortunate as a family to have a privately publish manuscript with the Civil War letters Joseph wrote his wife Nellie (Ellen) Carter, and those she wrote to him in return.  Their love and respect for each other is omnipresent, as is the suffering and sacrifice which each made.

Sunday's Humming Along

Do you see that little dot atop the young green Douglas fir?

Here's a closer look.

After having a drink or two, the male Rufous Hummingbird likes to keep watch perch upon high.

Interestingly, he does not bother the female Anna's Hummingbirds... 

...and they eat in peace.

Cornell University now has an live web camera in Western Texas that features several different kinds of hummingbirds.  I encourage you to take a look here.

Sunny Saturday

We're supposed to have good weather over the three day weekend.

Parvati recommends a bit of time outside.

Dine al fresco...

...at an All You Can Eat Buffet.

Fresh greens are an important part of a balanced diet.

And expectant mothers should eat a healthy diet.

Do have any special craving - like dandelions perhaps?

Memorial Weekend

A reminder of the original purpose of Memorial Day. I like this vintage postcard was the proofing leaves something to be desired.  Can you spot the error?

Memorial Weekend is a serious holiday, so I'll leave you with a short photo essay that should bring a smile to your face.

I often have a chipmunk eating out of a small plastic container on my front bird feeder. While he is there, the bird activity continues unabated. 

It's a different story though when Big Gray takes over the feeders.

To put it bluntly, it infuriates my Acorn Woodpeckers!

This male bird is staring down at the feeders and the squirrel planning his strategy.  

Yell loudly and dive-bomb the rodent!

Again and again and again!

Oh it made me laugh.  The bird came at the squirrel from the left and the right well over a dozen times.  The squirrel paid him no mind.  I felt sorry for the bird and went outside.  The squirrel left and the Acorn Woodpecker was once again King of the Bird Feeders! I guess I need to buy a squirrel baffle to stay in the Acorns' good graces.