Exploring Our Backyard~

It is fun to 'meet' other bloggers and see what they have to share! I was recently inspired by Mary's blog Red Shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove.  She takes beautiful photos of nature in all its splendor - in the last few visits to her blog I've enjoyed seeing frogs, owls and insects. Taking a page from her book, I went outside  today and sat quietly with my camera. College Girl had joined me on the patio to get a bit of sun on her legs when she suddenly said, "Look over your shoulder...on the fence!" There perched a little yellow bird watching us with curiosity.  

Once she decided we were trustworthy, she lifted her wings...

...then alighted on the edge of the birdbath nearest us. We also have a footed birdbath and small fountain elsewhere in the yard that the birds enjoy. Sometimes all three baths will be occupied with splashing birds at the same time!

This was the first time that I used my zoom lens. I took the photos quickly, lest Yellow Bird proved shy. 

 
It wasn't until I was editing the photos that I realized Yellow Bird had a perfect reflection in the water~

Does anyone know what kind of bird this is? We have a hunch that it may be a Lesser Goldfinch.

Once the bird was gone I looked around the yard and saw a Skipper~

Next, I noticed two different spiderwebs in our Cherry tree. One was a regular spiderweb and the other I call a 'hammock' spiderweb, as it is spun horizontally to the ground like a cradle or hammock.

 You can see the 'hammock' web behind the big circular web in the upper left and lower right pictures above and in the photo below.

As you can see, leaves had fallen into the 'hammock'.


I also took some photos of hummingbirds which I will share later. Thanks, Mary, for giving me a push to take photos in my backyard!




sharing this post with~
Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Anything Goes

Pink, Planting & Pets..well, sort of!

My husband is the best...he is always thinking a step ahead to do little things for me, such as print out directions, or wash my car windshield, or get everything ready for me to do a bit of gardening.

Like today...he set the plants we recently purchased, a trowel, a kneeling pad with gloves and some mulch out near the front planter. All I had to do was go outside and get the plants into the soil! Did I mention he's the best? There is a birdbath in the center of the front planter where I was working today. The planter is near the entrance of our home, and we like to keep it blooming and welcoming. I planted some Lobelia in front because it is low growing.

There are three Carnation plants already established and they grow to about ten inches tall, but the neighborhood rabbits won't stop nibbling the blossoms, so they are devoid of flowers just now....except for the few blooms too tall for bunnies to reach!lol~ 
I also planted Coneflower (echinacea purpurea). It is such a pretty shade of pink and I love how its petals bend back.

The information tag that was stuck in the pot with the Coneflower says it is deer resistant...we have no deer, but I hope it is bunny resistant!

Next, I planted an Arizona Sun Blanket Flower (Gaillardia). It is an unusual new perrenial with striking pink, red & yellow flowers. It is supposed to be easy to grow, drought tolerant and attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Look at that rich pink color!

When I finished  planting, I noticed a little lizard on the low wall watching me. He did not run away!

In fact, he studied me and proceeded to come closer. He climbed down the wall, hopped onto the soil and trotted just 10 inches from my knees... I was still kneeling, then he cocked his head to look up at me like dogs do when they are curious!! I was amazed! After a brief look at me, he ran across the soil and back up the wall into the sun.

The plants need to grow and spread out, but soon the small planter will be full of blooms. And when Fall arrives the Chrysanthemums will really take off~ 1 Peter 4: 9-10

                        
Gardens are a form of autobiography.  ~Sydney Eddison,
                          Horticulture magazine, August/September 1993

Sharing this post with  Pink Saturday~
Please visit Miss Char and see her pitcher of lemonade!