Sunday, April 30, 2017

Sunday Hummers

Though it's been rainy, I managed a few more photos this week.

Gotta' love the male Rufous Hummingbirds.

They 'own' the trees and brush that line the backyard.

They watch over the feeders too.

I'm just glad the light was 'right' to show off their copper colors.

A male Rufous and female Anna's.

Here's the only photo I managed of a female Rufous.

And only one of a male Anna's.

There are also a couple of female Anna's.

They are the easiest to photograph as they are the calmest.

And they like to bath in my small fountain.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

100% Bunnies

Bunny breakfast

I think the dewy grass must taste like cold iceberg lettuce.

Bunny duo

Bunny grooming

Clean and tidy bunny

Nibbling

Watching

Chocolate brown eyes

Friday, April 28, 2017

Finally Friday

Chart - "Spring Things"
Design - "Peep"
Designer - Lizzie Kate
Fabric - 28 count Light Mocha Cashel
Fibers - WDW & GAST & DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 4 May 2014
Completed - 7 May 2014

We've had a record-breaking number of rainy days.

I think even the birds are getting tired of it!
Look at this poor soaking wet Flicker.

Here's a California Scrub Jay.

And I am happy to see a female Black-head Grosbeak to go with the male I saw a couple of days ago.

They'll hang around and raise their family here.

I'm hoping an Evening Grosbeak couple or two will chose to do the same thing.

Can you be persuaded?

I counted a flock of 20 birds flying overhead yesterday.

Such a handsome bird.

You are forgiven for not having a pretty courting song.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Birds Birds Birds

Design - "R is for Robin"
Design - Sam Sarah Designs
Fabric - 28 count Newport Red / Natural Zweigart linen
Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 9 May 2014
Completed - 10 May 2014


I am thrilled to have so many Black-capped Chickadees.

They like the small Japanese Maple in the front flowerbed.

And they are also active in the back. 
I saw a Chestnut-back Chickadee yesterday as well as a White-throated Sparrow.

There are two or three White-crowned Sparrows most days.

I think the clean zebra stripes on their head.

The Golden-crowned Sparrows' markings are blurrier.

For a pop of color, the male American Goldfinches place well!
Top left and right are male Lesser Goldfinches.

This guy needs to get darker and brighter color to interest the females.

As for bigger pests birds, the Band-tailed Pigeons are daily visitors.

The flock numbers in the high teens.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Wednesday's Walk - A Neighbor's Front Yard

Each April I have to document the amazing wildflowers that reside under an oak grove in a neighbor's front yard.  

This winter wrecked havoc on the oaks. They are but shadows of their former selves.  I am hoping that two or three manage to hang on and recover. 

The oaks provide the dappled shade beloved by many of our native wildflowers including  Small Flowered Trilliums.


I have never seen more Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon hendersonii).

They thrive here.

Some folks call them rooster bills based on the shape of the flower.

She also has many Oregon Fawn Lilies (Erythronium oregonum).

Shooting Stars

Fawn Lilies, Trout Lilies, or as my family has always called them - Lambs' Tongues. 

Nature is the best gardener!

We should appreciate her work.