May 14, 2010 - 1
Bunches of backyard flowers have come into bloom in the past couple of weeks. Columbine pink now borders the flowerbeds outside the sunroom. The chives are flowering next to the sundial table, along with the purple salvia plants at the top of the pond. I've been enjoying the subdued color and exquisite fragrance of the lavender now in bloom in the garden. An interesting disparity, I wonder if the intense fragrance is somehow meant to make up for the flower's pale color. And, like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, the precious little buttercups which grow in the lawn this time of year are blooming as well. I don't mind that they grow in the lawn, I'll just cut around them for a few weeks until they go to seed.Meanwhile, sunrise occurred in the backyard this morning at 5:44. Sunset will arrive at 8:09 this evening. Adding 15 minutes this week, we're up to 14 hours, 25 minutes of golden delicious sunlight today. And we're just 38 days away from the beginning of summer!
Backyard Tip of the week:
Just a reminder to keep an eye on the ground under your bird feeders through the spring and summer. If you can take a few minutes periodically to thin out any tall growing weeds or grasses from around the feeders, you'll be providing an easy additional feeding area that is attractive to many different types of birds. Do feel free to leave a few scattered tall growing plants or shrubs for the birds to land on as they fly to and fro. Fallen bird seed is a matter of fact when it comes to bird feeders, so why not take advantage of an opportunity that may otherwise lie hidden beneath the overgrowth. Try it, you're sure to love it!
Backyard sightings for last week:
Including northern cardinals, rose-breasted grosbeaks, blue-jays, brown creepers, chipping sparrows, song sparrows, tree sparrows, white-throated sparrows, house finches and goldfinches. American robins, Carolina wrens and Carolina chickadees, catbirds, mockingbirds. Red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, northern flickers, white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmice, mourning doves. Red-winged blackbirds, crows, grackles, starlings, chipmunks, skunks, bunnies, red squirrels and grey squirrels.
Continued on next page...
May 14, 2010 - Part 2 - Cool Sightings
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