Bluebird 1, car 0

 On this Easter Sunday, we obviously parked in the wrong place as far as this bluebird was concerned. The reflective glass and shiny chrome made it appear there was another bluebird encroaching on his territory and he obviously was having none of it. As we watched from the window inside the house, he repeatedly flew to the nest, then back to our car to peck at his reflection in the chrome, then back to the nest, then back to the car ... on and on and on.

 Peck, peck, peck.

It was obvious he wasn't going to give up. Could a little bluebird damage our car? We gave up and moved it. Bluebird 1, car 0.

Update: H/t Susan and Jeff Sili for informing this was the daddy bird (instead of my earlier reference to a female), something I have corrected in the text. Thanks also to Donald Williams for adding more detail about the male bluebirds.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Easter 2014
April 20, 2014

Winter day activity at the bird bath/feeder

The heated bird bath is on the deck outside the dining room so there's a great view of our feathered friends as they visit on this snowy day. Photos were taken through the glass door so apologies for the lack of sharpness.

We have an abundance of bluebirds who live along the fence line and enjoy the variety of berries.

 This little junco was sitting on the deck railing.

 The doves were hunkered down in the trees ...

 ... while cardinals flitted from branch to branch before landing on the feeder.

This robin was quenching his thirst as the snow fell....

Earlier this month I was concerned about the robins because they were hopping around the yard but discovered it's not uncommon for them to stick around for winter and not fly south. At our house they have found a full feeder and water so maybe they're staying until spring.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 21, 2014

Let it snow ... Valley sees first significant snowfall of 2014

 Snow started around 7:30 Tuesday morning, a well-publicized, expected event that promised the first significant snowfall of the winter in the Shenandoah Valley and most of Virginia. An arctic front was in the forecast to move in throughout the day causing below-freezing temperatures for the remainder of the week.

 The heated bird bath is popular with our feathered friends.

 

Enjoy the snowy day!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 21, 2014

Spring gardening in the Valley

 Spring means hands in the dirt, blooming perennials and trees, and planting bountiful pots of annuals that will grow and bloom into the fall. This purple salvia perennial has been especially pretty this year.

The plants in this flower box will grow and fill in the empty spaces until it is overflowing and draping over the sides.

 The rhododendron bloomed while we were on vacation so we're catching the last of the fading blossoms.

 Throughout the yard the sweet-smelling peonies are showing off in a way only peonies can.

A tender, colorful Columbine.

 Tools of the trade ... new potting soil each year helps grow gorgeous flowers.

 All these plants were transferred into terra cotta pots and window boxes, and will now spread their roots and flourish with watering and fertilizing through the growing season.

 Besides perennials that are already growing in the yard, the new crop of annuals includes white impatiens and red geraniums for the back yard/porch and for the front yard/porch/deck there's pink and purple dianthus, purple alyssum, white alyssum, violet petunias, and yellow zinnias. As scraggly plants are marked down in garden centers, I'll add some new varieties and nourish them from ugly ducklings into beautiful swans.

 More tools of the trade: planting pots. I love the texture and Old World look of terra cotta.

These two were ready to be placed on the porch. As the alyssum grows and spreads, it will fill in under the dianthus.

Sadly, we lost our bluebird babies Tuesday when a five-foot black snake crawled up the post and got into the house. The parents had been busy all morning flying back and forth feeding their little ones but the snake had wiped them out by the time SWAC Husband found him. He won't be back.

We're back into the mowing-gardening routine, and ready to begin outdoor entertaining. It's spring in the Shenandoah Valley....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 28, 2013