Flags and Flutters

Design - "Flag"

Chart - "Patriotic Times"

Designer - Homespun Elegance

Fabric - 32 count Dirty Belfast linen

Fibers - WDW& GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 28 July 2017

Completed - 5 August 2017

I changed one of the colors from GAST "Harvest Basket"
to GAST "Oatmeal". 

I was pleased to see a young Red-breasted Sapsucker.

The bird hung around for 20 minutes or so.

Finally, I'm seeing some sizable groups of California Quail. 

This is the largest group so far.

Two adult males, an adult female, and 16 youngsters. 

I love the colors - chocolate brown and gray.

The Lesser Goldfinches continue to delight.

The poor father (3rd from the left) has all he can handle with three begging, fluttering youngsters.

Swallow Families

Design - "13 Stars"

Designer - Subrosa

Fabric - 28 count Lakeside Basketweave linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 1 July 2017

Completed - 15 July 2017

Every day I expect the occupants of this Violet-green Swallow house to fly the coop.

I check morning and evening and still the two baby birds are staying put.

They've got a good thing going and they know it!

The pair of Barn Swallows are actively nesting.  The female is spending most of her time on the nest.

I was delighted to hear and then see a family of Purple Martins.

For the past 5 years or so, a family comes by for a couple of weeks after their youngsters have fledged.

They hang out atop some of our tallest snags and thus are a challenge to photograph with any clarity.

I enjoy watching them fly and listening to their gurgling chatter.

A Walk Around the House

It's too hot to walk very far today.

So let's just stroll around the house and look at the flowers planted in the beds.

Morning Glory

Tiger Lily

Coreopsis and Rudbeckia

Dahlia

Echinacea

Penstemon

Kniphofia

Fuchsia

Looking the length of one of the flowerbeds

Rudbeckia and Penstemon

Clematis 

Agapanthus

Dahlia

Helenium

Swallows in the Air and on a Nest

Design - "Liberty"
Chart - "Liberty Angel"
Designer - Heart in Hand
Fabric - 32 count Natural Light linen
Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 22 July 2014
Completed 23 July 2014

The Barn Swallows have settled in. 

One watching...

...and one nesting.

Sunday and Monday were hot with temps in the 80's, but the garage should have been a bit cooler.

  

Sunday morning the Violet-green Swallows were swooping around looking at the nesting box the House Wrens used.

I don't know what was up with that behavior.

I did not get any sense that they were seriously considering taking occupation. 

Nonetheless, it was fun to watch.

They have some serious aerial skills.

Little Birds Mostly

Design - "Uncle Sam"

Chart - "Seasonal Mementos III"

Designer - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

Fabric - 32 count Sandstone linen

Fibers - GAST & DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 24July 2014

Completed - 27 July 2014

I changed GAST "Mulberry" to "Cranberry" as I found the original color far too orange/brown for my tastes. 

My email server did an update recently and I lost a couple of day's worth of emails.  I think someone asked about my camera - it's a Canon SX540HS.  It has a very powerful zoom lens - you can Google it if you want more information.

Generally I'm pretty pleased with the shots it allows me to take of birds - like this young Cowbird.

Having a drink.

Male American Goldfinch

Here's a young Junco.

It was attempting to eat the leaf from a sedum.

I had a large group of little Bushtits come to the suet.

They chattered and flitted and ate.

They always lift my spirits.

Nine birds in this photo.

Close-up of a female.