gardens
More ripe strawberries
More strawberries are growing on our plants. It is fun watching them grow, and even more fun when we benefit from eating them.
Wet bunny and other critters
Wet bunny sitting in a heavy rain shower
Baltimore oriole enjoying the nectar feeder
Red-winged blackbird This is the first season we have seen this species in our yard
This squirrel loves a crunchy kernel of corn
We really enjoy the menagerie that shows up in our backyard. At one point yesterday we counted at least nine (9) squirrels romping around. They were having fun chasing each other up and down and around the tree, and it looked like total pandemonium. We are very fortunate to have a nice yard that gives us our own little slice of nature.
Some plants around our yard
Here’s a little photo tour of some of the foliage in our yard.
The trees are now fully in leaf. The roses are beginning to bloom, herbs are growing very nicely and the honeysuckle is in full bloom and hopefully will help the hummingbirds. Seems like the grass needs mowed every third day. Spring is here, summer is on the way.
First of the season
The first strawberry of the season! It’s always fun to spot the first, even though this one is rather small. We’re hopeful that we’ll see lots more.
Hopefully the final frost
According to historic Indiana weather records, the final frost of the year is normally no later than April 26th. We’ve had a couple of days near 80, breezy and great for working outside. Then this alert came in the e-mail:
Hope this beauty makes it ok.
Gonna be cold in the morning for sure. Hopefully the flowers and plants will be ok. Some of the baby birds and other baby critters are in for a cold night!
Phlox, hostas and a new leaf
Scene from the front of our place
Hosta getting the squeeze: soon to be moved
Our phlox has really bloomed this spring. One of our two hostas is being challenged by the phlox for space! We’ll probably move this hosta to the flower garden and let the phlox run.
Even the new growth has the typical “tulip shaped” leaf
Our young Tulip trees are beginning to put on their leaves this spring. Also known as yellow poplar, the Tulip is actually a member of the Magnolia family. They are one of the finest hardwood lumber producers. This is the third season for the two we have in the front yard.
Warm sunny day with flowers and whirligigs
We finally had a wonderful day, suitable for enjoying the outdoors in our backyard. Even though it was rather breezy, the sunshine and temperatures near 80 made for a most comfortable session on our canopy covered swing.
Our son surprised us with another colorful and striking cut flower arrangement. This time we were treated with some multi-colored daffodils in addition to the beautiful yellow blooms. It was a treat to look upon them while we enjoyed some bird watching and squirrel watching too.
While looking at birds on the feeder, I felt something hit my arm. Looking down I saw a cluster of “whirligigs” or “helicopters”, in other words maple tree seeds. Our maple tree literally covers our yard each spring with these fun adaptions to Nature’s procreations. We’ve already noticed many new maple seedlings sprouting from last years crop of fliers.
Surprise post-Easter snowfall
We woke up this Monday after Easter to a surprise scene out the windows. This late snow, rare in Indiana in April, was a wet and heavy type. A few of the daffodils could not take the weight of the accumulated ‘slush’ and suffered collapse.
Flower arrangement and angelic painting
Roadtirement 