Wednesday's Walk

So far we've escaped the smoke from the large wildfire to the south, so let's take a walk.  

Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)

Ocean Spray (Holodiscus discolor)

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota)

Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana)

Ash

Blackberries

Canada Thistle

Horsetails (Equisetum arvense)

Cedar Waxwing atop a Douglas fir tree

Western Ninebark (Physocarpus)

Douglas Spiraea (Spiraea douglasii)

More photos of Cascara.  The berries are dark purple when ripe.  

Lots of birds consume the berries - I'm finding the hard seeds in my birdbaths.  

Vine Maple (Acer circinatum)

A vigorous young Cottonwood (Populus) with huge leaves!

This apple tree grows at the edge of my sister's dahlia garden.  It's set more fruit than usual this year.

Tuesday

Design - "Bluebirds"

Chart - "Prairie Birds"

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Fabric - 32 count Wichelt Ocean Kiss linen

Fibers - DMC over 2 strands

Started - 28 June 2019

Completed - 23 July 2019 

Many thanks to Vickie  at I-Stitch for the gift of the fabric need to complete the final two birds in the series. 

"Well done!", says the male Western Bluebird.

The female Western Bluebird is pleased too!

Now who is active in the backyard? 

The Lesser Goldfinches continue to fledge.

They are small birds, but very noisy and demanding! 

A Black-capped Chickadee.

Looks like a work of art inside the circle feeder.

Lots and lots and lots of young Black-headed Grosbeaks!

Five here... 

Seven here.

Back to five - I often count a dozen or more.

Papa Quail on the watch...

...baby quail below.

A Lighthouse

While I'm figuring out what I might stitch in the future, I picked out a quick little kit - a Heart in Hand lighthouse.

Now it's time for a Woodpecker Recap.

A little male Downy - I've seen two males at the same time.

Female Downy

Male Downy

Back to a female Downy - I like how her tail feathers are all on display. 

A larger female Hairy Woodpecker.

Male Hairy Woodpecker

A young Red-breasted Sapsucker,

Close up

And working further away.

Female Acorn Woodpecker

A young male Northern Flicker.

Having a look.

Perfect pose.

Sunday's Hummers

Lots of flowers... 

...lots of hummers.

They are partaking in all the natural nectar. 

Both Anna's and Rufous - though I seem to have mostly captured Rufous in action.

Noshing from a Salvia.

Hovering.

Eating.

Here's an Anna's eating at Salvia #1.

And Salvia #2.

Pondering what to eat next.

The male Anna's I see more often at the feeders.

He zips in for a drink.

And a short rest, before flying off again.

The Rufous are 'posers'...

...and 'perchers'!