Larkspur & Hummingbird

Little Bird & Spent Flowers

The little bird is likely a juvenile Junco.

Summertime

We are having fun listening to and watching the hummingbirds.   They are the most amazing little birds and give us much joy during the summer months.  Last week some of the babies must have fledged because all of a sudden one morning, amid immense excitement, we saw a great deal of activity at the feeders, more than we've seen for several weeks.

Larkspur (a favourite flower of the hummingbirds)

On the Wild Side

Male Northern Flicker

One of the bird species living here year round.  This handsome fellow came into the garden area one evening to search for grubs or ants in the soil. 

  

Cottonwood Seed Fluff

There is a large cottonwood tree growing just a short walk from the house, and this past week it released its seed fluff into the air.  Some of it settled on the ground directly below the tree making it seem as if it had snowed. This is a beautiful deciduous tree of the genus: populus that is native to this region of the province, and it can usually be found growing near lakes and rivers. 

Saskatoon berries developing

Paintbrush

Wild Rabbit

We see the wild rabbit every second day or so when he comes out of the forest to have a meal of clover.  I'm happy to say that he hasn't tried the lettuce yet.  He is very cautious, preferring to remain near the trees where he can easily dash to safety. 

In the Garden

Lilies and Rhubarb

 Rhubarb

common to many people worldwide

Rhubarb grows here as a perennial, and I eagerly anticipate its emergence every spring.  As soon as  I see a hint of new growth, I can almost taste its delicious, tart flavour.  Yesterday I made another batch of rhubarb jam to store away for those times during the winter when we are in need of something to remind us of spring. 

 

Front garden where the Wild Columbine bloom

Robin near the Ornamental Hops

Strawberry plant

Morning sun on a petunia flower

Petunias in a pot

Birds in the Garden

The birds enjoy the garden as much as I do. The hummingbirds are preoccupied with establishing their territories (fighting over the feeders) at the moment, and Mrs. Crow can be seen daily walking to and fro looking for juicy worms.  Sparrows and juncos come into the garden several times a day searching the ground for tasty tidbits while they stamp their little feet.  It has been very warm for a couple of days now (18C yesterday), and it feels wonderful to be outdoors in short sleeves again.  Many of the shrubs and flowers are in bud.

American Crow

Dark-eyed Junco

Rufous Hummingbird

White-crowned Sparrow

Wild Clematis

Lilac

Rainy Days

In between the showers today, I went out to the garden and took a few pictures.   These are the results.  While I was puttering here and there I saw something that I've never seen before - a young chickadee being fed by its mother.  Although I got just the one picture (and not a great one at that), I feel lucky all the same to have been standing where I was able to observe this lovely scene. 

Blue Flax

Mystery flower (scented, tall stalk, attracts the Swallowtail butterfly)

Raindrops collecting on a spider's web

Wild Rose

Strawberry plant

Yellow Poppy drooping

Lilac bush

Wild Rose

Young chickadee being fed by its mother

only 17C  today

Today's Flowers

In the Garden

Last Monday:

It had been a hectic morning for this young bird, first observed fast asleep beside the forget-me-not flowers, seemingly abandoned. Poor thing. Fortunately, Mama Crow soon arrived to check on the situation, but left quickly, presumably to hunt up some food for her hungry baby.  In the meantime, Baby walked with slow and timid steps through the garden and onto the grass. Mama Crow returned with a worm, fed her baby and then left again. After further exploration, the youngster eventually came back to the garden and found a nice, sunny, sheltered spot amongst the shrubbery (photo below). 

 

Sometimes, the baby crows "fall to the earth where they spend several days on the ground in low vegetation" before they are able to fly. (source: Life History of the Crows)

Cheerful poppies loved by bees and all.

The Lilac (Syringa) is in bloom.

Today's Flowers

Spring Time

Redpoll

    We've changed the clocks to daylight savings time.  The snow is melting, and 

My indoor garden

yesterday I saw an eagle in the  river, perched on a ridge of gravel or a log.  Had he caught his supper?  I'd like to think he had. Waterfowl are migrating north, stopping to rest awhile in our local streams, crows are starting to build their nests, and woodpeckers can be heard drumming on old wood.  Spring is returning.

Update on the Smoky Conditions

It is not as bad as yesterday, but the sky is hazy, and there's a slight pungent smell in the air.

Earlier the sun looked eerie in a white-gray sky.

Unlike the previous day, I can see the outline of the hills and mountain this morning.

The birds don't seem to be too bothered by the smoke. They were twittering and flitting through the bushes in their usual morning pursuit of food. The chickadees were especially vocal. I'm amazed I got even one picture, as they don't sit for very long in one spot. It's much easier to take their picture in the winter when they are at the feeders.

There were also some yellow birds together with the chickadees in the Saskatoon bushes. This is not a very good picture. They perch for barely a second or two, and then they are gone. I'm posting it in case someone can confirm if this is a warbler (Common Yellowthroat). For better viewing, please click on the image.

Cedar Waxwing

The Cedar Waxwings come through our region of British Columbia every year at about the same time as the Saskatoon berries (also known as Serviceberry) are ripening. I always look for them in the latter part of July. This year they arrived before all the berries were ripe, and it seemed they were here for only a short while before they moved on again.

Little Bird

This morning, as I was pinching back some of the drooping flowers in my hanging planters near the garden shed, I heard a flapping noise coming from inside. Opening the door I saw a poor little bird up against the back wall trying its best to find a way out. It must have gotten in through one of the small windows; we keep the door closed so the butterflies, bees and birds won't get trapped.

Now, you wouldn't think that this is much of a story, but it does have its interesting bits and, more importantly, a happy ending. I opened the door wide, stood away and carried on with what I had been doing. At the same time I watched to see what was happening inside the shed.

Well, the little bird saw an opportunity - from the window he jumped to a pail, studied his surroundings for several minutes, flew to a bicycle rim, then looked around once more and eventually proceeded to the bicycle seat. The way to the door was clear, and out he flew. This clever little bird had worked out how to free himself from a very distressing situation.

Birds in the Garden

My prizes - (I took these photos in the evening when the birds venture into the garden one more time before the close of day.)

This young robin has found his own prize, and a juicy one at that.

Who'd a thought these nails would come in handy as a perch for a wee bird.

Even the chickadees can't keep away from the Saskatoon berries.

May Days

On a glorious Spring morning...

Poplar trees sparkle in the sunshine

Cottonwood leaves unfold, smelling wonderful

Wild Clematis are in bud

Happiness is a Rufous Hummingbird perched at the feeder.
The first one arrived on April 30th.

White-crowned Sparrow forages in the grass

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MOTHER'S DAY!