Unfortunately there are plenty of weeds to feature in the weed showcase. They are the happiest of all from the ample rain we have gotten. But I don't have space this week for that. In the meantime...
Here are a few things I saw this week
during a Second Look.
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| The azaleas are in various stages of bloom. If you look closely, it looks like some pruning has been done on this bush. The deer have helped us with that. |
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| Star of Bethlehem |
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| Another woolly bear on the move. |
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| Black-capped chickadee |
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| The Japanese Iris continue to bloom, but the bearded iris are still just budding. |
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| Jack-in-the-Pulpit. I haven't seen this wildflower for a couple of years since it got accidentally cut down with the lawn mower. I was very happy to see that it had returned. |
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| All of the rain is bringing out some interesting fungus. |
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| Goldfinch |
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| Rhododendron |
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| Geranium, hosta, peris japonica |
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| House finch |
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| Baby bluebirds, 7 days old |
Oh the baby Bluebirds. Do the parents care when you take photos of their brood? Your Rhodies look great. Mine bloomed in terrific fashion too. Also purple. Love the chickadee photo too.
ReplyDeleteSo far, I haven't had any problems this year with the bluebird parents. However, other years they have dive bombed me when I got close to the box. Their methods worked because I found the dive bombing very unsettling. Soon the babies will be big enough that I won't open the box to take a picture. Because of the way this particular box opens, they could fall out.
DeleteI read recently that looking at pictures of nature, even if you can't be outdoors, has calming effects. I appreciate your weekly dose of happiness and mental health. :)
ReplyDeleteI certainly get mental health benefits from doing these posts. I would probably look around anyway, but knowing I am going to do a Second Look post gets me outside in inclement weather when I'd be just as happy to stay inside. And I'm always happy I did. So thanks to you and others who enjoy the pictures. It helps me too.
DeleteThank you for your beautiful pictures. I am missing all our spring blooms.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Spring blooms are gone for you, but what has taken their place?
DeleteIt is transitional right now. Everything is densely green and everyone's knock out roses are heavy with blooms. Magnolia trees have just begun to bloom, but it is a tad to early for hydrangeas. 2 more weeks should take care of that
DeleteThere are roses blooming here also, but not magnolias. It's a little far north for them, but there are a few varieties around.
DeleteYou take some great pictures..so close up. You show nature as beautiful as it actually is. Thank you for sharing your talent@
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I enjoy doing it and it's nice if others like it too.
DeleteEverything is so lovely, thanks for this post! What are the white seeds in your birdfeeder?
ReplyDeleteThose are safflower seeds. Squirrels are not supposed to like them so much. This is our first week trying them and we mixed them with the black oil sunflower seeds we usually use. I'm not sure about the squirrels yet, but the birds love them--especially the finches.
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