Late April's Gift

Design - "Black-headed Grosbeak"

Chart - "The Bird Collection - Part 1"

Designer - Heartstring Samplery

Fabric - 32 count Picture This Plus Wren linen

Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 24 April 2016

Completed - 14 May 2016

The Black-headed Grosbeaks have a wonderfully pretty and cheerful song.

The males have been back for a few days now.

They like sunflower seeds, but also gorge on suet.

Isn't that a pretty feather pattern?

I've seen females too and will post photos of them shortly.

Last Walk in April

A combination of sunny days and showers has may for a green, green April.

The Big leaf Maples have bloomed and are now starting to leaf out.

Mild temperatures have prolonged the blooming period for Iris tenax.

I think I could do an entire blog post of iris photos.

Darker purple...

...lighter violet blooms.

Shhhh!  Someone is watching us!

Our native ceanothus is budding up.

It should be awash in white in a few weeks. 

And so should the Hawthorn.

House Finches and new cones on a Douglas fir tree.

A clump of dandelions.

Someone has been shredding the blossoms.  I think it is a chipmunk.

Birds Big and Small

Design - "Hens at Work"

Chart - "Spring Bunnies I" #182

Designer - The Cricket Collection

Fabric - Don't remember

Started - Don't remember - maybe in 1999

Completed - Don't remember

I thought that my hawks had moved on...

I was wrong.

A couple of Cooper's Hawks are still hanging around. I saw one fly off with lunch.  I don't think it was a bird...maybe a chipmunk or bunny.

In small bird land I'm not seeing much of the Bushtits any longer.  They've paired up and are nesting.

The Lesser Goldfinches are beginning to nest.

And look who has returned!

Right on time - a male Black-headed Grosbeak.  They sing a very pretty song.

Also pairing up now...

...the California Quail.

Adding to the Rotation

This is "Chester" by The Goode Huswife.  I kitted this up clear back in 2013 and began stitching in September 2015 when I promptly quit and it has languished for five years.  Maybe I should pick it up again.  Thoughts?

Here are some photos from my reliable woodpeckers. 

Cute little male Downy.

He's all business.

A larger female Hairy Woodpecker.

A soaking wet female Flicker.

It was a cold rainy day and she did not look happy.

The Acorn Woodpeckers continue to dart in and out of the nesting cavity in the large Douglas fir snag.

Both birds come to the front of the house...

...but thus far, only the male ventures into the backyard.

Suet is a woodpecker magnet.

Sunday's Mixed Bag

A mixed bag today.

Tell me that's not beyond cute!

This bunny has rather tattered ears.

The left one has quite the notch. 

But the grass is green...

...and so the bunny is happy.

Am still seeing hummingbirds gathering nesting material.

This Anna's has snagged a nice sized bit.

Busy busy busy.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday.

Saturday's Critters

It's another rainy day.

Earlier this week on yet another rainy day, I spied five deer bedded down. 

Everyone was calm but watchful.

See all five?

The closest one.

And the two on the left.

A good day for hermitting.