Last Walk in May

It is a truly lovely day. Perfect for a walk.

The Iris tenex have almost finished, but there are still a few spots of purple in the fields if one looks closely.

Now the meadows are taken over with Pale Flax (Linum bienne).

The flowers are a very light blue.

Also in the meadow, no surprise, Meadow Checkermallow (Sidalcea campestris).

Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) considered to be a noxious non-native.

Purple Vetch.

The Thimbleberries (Rubus parviflorus) are now in bloom.

Cat's Ears or Tolmie's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus tolmiei).

One of my favorite wildflowers - so glad we have a couple of large, healthy patches. 

The Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) has just about finished blooming...

...while the Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) has just come into full bloom.

The Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) is covered in white flowers.

The hedgerows are a pale pink now with the flowers of the Nootka Rose (Rosa Nutkana)

Here's a new bud.

TErrible name - Blue Dick ( Brodiaea)- for a lovely wildflower.

The Western Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) provides pops of bright orange color among all the shades of green. I hope this walk has put a 'spring' in your step.

Swainson's Thrush and Parvati Patel Hufflepuff

Parvati is 16 years old today.

While she sleeps more than she used to, she is still very active.

She spends 60-90 minutes each morning patrolling her outdoor world.

Midday is nap time, then in the evening she enjoys being outside and hunting for mice in the twilight.

Chart - "The Bird Collection - Part II"

Design - "Swainson's Thrush"

Designer - Heartstrings Samplery

Fabric - 32 count Picture This Plus Wren linen

Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 27 September 2016

Completed - 30 October 2016

I thought I'd feature this stitch today because I finally saw one and was able to photograph it!

I walked down to our oak grove in the mid-afternoon to bird watch.

I saw a Junco...

and House Finches.

But this was the prize!  A Swainson's Thrush!

There were lots of Cedar Waxwings...

And a Robin with nesting material.

At the edge of the Big Creek, Black-Headed Grosbeaks flitted in and out of the greenery.

Memorial Monday

In Oregon, Memorial weekend is often the start of camping adventures and other outdoor activities for many families.

I hope that however you've spent the long weekend, that you've taken a moment to think of those who have served our country.

  

Only Anna's

Suddenly I no longer am seeing any Rufous Hummingbirds - just Anna's.

The absence of my male Rufous is especially concerning - why, suddenly is he no longer haunting the backyard? 

On the other hand, there has been no shortage of chipmunks - five in this photo.

And six, including a couple of blurs, in this photo.

Here's a few close-ups.

Yes, I'm hungry.

Chubby cheeks.

They've been getting into the garage, so I've set out a bowl across the driveway in hope of discouraging foraging in the garage.

After breakfast, a couple of chippies come up to the back patio to have a drink of water.  The stand on their hind legs and drink the water that cascades down the sides of our fountain. 

Let's not forget our bunnies...

...and deer.

That's the wildlife wrap up for this week.

Starling Saturday

The Starlings have fledged and are everywhere.

They are polishing off a suet cake in a day's time.

Not my favorite bird by any means as they croak and squawk.

The adults are black, the youngsters are light brown.

They are rather comical looking.

I am ready for them to grow up and find new homes far, far away!

Early Morning Birds

Design - "Roster with a Quilted Tail"

Chart - "Roxie and Rooster"

Designer - Meme's Quilts

Fabric - 32 count R & R 18th Century Brown linen

Fibers - DMC- 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 18 August 2012

Completed - 20 August 2012

Though this is a small piece, it is dense with 14 different colors and serious back-stitching!

Chickens are early morning birds...

Let's see what else is going on as the sun rises over the hills.

Wednesday morning I was greeted with the "Quick! Three beers!" call of an Olive-sided Flycatcher.  While I never saw the bird, I was happy to hear him.  That call is one of the signatures of summer here, and something that I missed hearing last year.

The Evening Grosbeaks are early morning birds.

The Violet-green Swallows also get off to an early start.

A small group of Cedar Waxwings gather in the morning before flying off for the day.

I heard and then found a couple of male Purple Martins - they visit but have not nested in the area in several years.

Such pretty glossy, purple birds.  I have houses that are still open for occupancy if you are interested.

Steller's Jays begin squawking bright and early - thirsty business. 

The Hammond's Flycatcher came back for a second visit.

I was able to get several nice photos this time.

Perhaps he will nest nearby.