Backyard Bliss

I was out enjoying my backyard again the last couple of evenings.  Yesterday, it wasn't so much enjoying it as sweating over it - mowing was overdue by several days!  But, it looks so much nicer, especially with the new bird feeder and new clematis.

I had seen on Pinterest how easy it was to take a globe lighting fixture and turn it into a bird feeder, but I didn't like it being all white, so I added strips of Duck Tape (I know you are all agape that I use Duck Tape).  I'm beginning to wonder if I used the wrong pattern because the birds don't seem to like the feeder . . . I've seen a cardinal at it a few times, but that's been it.  The squirrels haven't bothered it either; it's still almost full of feed.

I bought a new clematis plant this year, only because the one I planted last year seemed to have had a problem with a late frost or freeze.  I'm hoping it comes back next year, and I'll have two twining around the post.

The sunny daisies are blooming, bringing memories and smiles every time I look at them.  I have other daisies planted, but they haven't started blooming yet.

One of the trumpet vines blooming away.  It has a TON of blooms on it, and I've cut it back a couple of times.  The one I cut back more severely hasn't started blooming yet, but it sure has some LONG vines.  I'm trying to "train" it over the top of the clothesline, so we'll see how that goes.  If I'm successful, I'll post a picture; if I'm not, I'll be doing some more major pruning!

I'm not quite sure what flower this is; could be a coneflower, or it could be any number of perennial wildflowers . . . I planted a mix of seeds last summer, but it was so hot and dry that none of them came up.  It's been nice enough so far this season that a few of them have started.

Trying to keep these guys hanging around - keep one feeder for peanuts just to lure them and the woodpeckers.  I also have a couple of the suet feeders with woodpecker suet, but haven't seen the woodpeckers for a couple of days.

Haven't seen much of the hummingbird lately.  I've been changing the feeders every other day, making sure they get a good cleaning.  The little thingamajig I bought to keep the ants away has worked wonders, but it doesn't help with the bees.

I'm hoping in the next few days to be able to take a little time and relax in the back yard.  So much to do lately that I feel like I'm always on the go.  I may end up taking a day or two to just veg out.  It's so nice to be able to walk out the back door and feel like I can soak up the atmosphere and relax.  I'm trying to be out back reading, with the camera handy, to catch Bella for her evening visit to the hummingbird feeder.  The time spent out there has been wonderful, regardless of which feathered visitors there are (or aren't).  I like having this little piece of backyard bliss.

Avians, Take Me Away

So relaxed at this point that I almost forgot to write up a post!  ALMOST.


I got to spend more time than usual outside today with all of the neighborhood birds.  Sitting in the yard, watching and listening to them always lifts my spirits and relaxes me.


I had two relaxation sessions today, which is highly unusual.  I'm very glad to have had it though!  I'd been pretty tense, and I can feel a definite difference in my neck and shoulders.

It certainly helped that I got to see quite a few of my Blue Jay friends!  This one started out on the telephone wire, but he didn't stay there!

Most of the birds used the top of the fence to roost; I thought this was much more individualistic, which means high approval marks!  You can also see in the bottom right hand corner my re-blooming lilac, which is close to re-blooming!

Another appearance by the beautiful Blue Jay, beak filled with peanut.  Yes, I try to keep the one feeder with peanuts in it to tempt them and the woodpeckers to the yard. 

I liked how I managed to catch one bird coming in to land, one leaving, and two just hanging out.  

Imagine that!  Another shot of a Blue Jay.  There were several times 2-3 of them were chasing each other away from the feeder; I'd not seen them do that  here before.  I guess they're feeling comfortable and at home?

This little one was just a couple of feet from me, and showed no fear at all!  All of this seed was in a feeder that the squirrels have learned to tip and dump the seed.  One of these days I will learn not to refill that feeder completely . . . 

Mr. Cardinal stopped by to pose - right profile . . . 

 . . . and left profile.

I think this is a cow bird; I'm pretty sure when I see one of the males, but I'm not too sure about the females.

Caught another one coming . . . 

  . . . and another one going.

I had to be VERY patient to get this pic.  This little guy, I believe is a chickadee.  He normally doesn't spend long enough at any one feeder for me to get a shot!


Oh, and on top of it all, Bella (the hummingbird) showed up tonight, too.  I was outside, and she flew up to the feeder, and I got to talk to her for a few seconds before she flew off again.  She zoomed by again later, but didn't stop.


And if that wasn't enough to make my day, I bought 4 more (different) rolls of Duck Tape tonight!  Oh, the creative juices are flowing!!

Hmmmm . . .

It's been the kind of day that has had me going "hmmmm" an awful lot.  Phone calls from people I've never heard of and who won't leave a message.  People saying they're going to stop and drop something off, then don't show up.  Stopping at WalMart for a few things for Mom and checking the Duck Brand Duct Tape selection find they have a whole slew I don't have, but limit myself to two (polka dot and a different Hello Kitty print).  Wondering what the heck I did w/ that 5 gallon bucket.  Eating some more of that delicious Bailey's Irish Cream Fudge I made yesterday.

For all of that "Hmmmm-ing" I did today (and yes, there was some "Hawing" along with it, but that's not germane right now), I of course, thought of my favorite little bird, the hummingbird.  I've already put 3 of the feeders and the nesting material out, hoping to see them soon.  According to the migration maps, they are in the area, but I still haven't seen one this year.  Maybe if I weren't looking for them so closely they'd be here already.

Last year was the first time I'd seen regular hummingbird visitors in the back yard.  It only took two sightings to have me hooked and jumping through hoops to attract more of them to the yard.  One of my high school friends who lives in North Carolina had shared videos of at least half a dozen hummingbirds at his feeder at any given time; I was jealous, but at least I had a source for useful information!  He did share his tips with me, and I learned to already be outside around the time the little girl usually dropped in for her libations.  The first couple of times she came up from behind me scared me - those wings beating furiously make a lot more noise than I thought they would!

I talked to the little beauty every day, and she let me get within a couple of feet of her before taking off.  I think a few of these pictures she was posing for!  I only saw two females off and on for sure, sometimes not wanting to share the feeder with each other.  It was amazing and humbling to watch them rest for short periods of time on the vines or the feeder - they must have felt safe enough to do so.

I loved the contrast of the green behind her on the shot above.  I almost looks as if she's falling back into the leaves.  I would have loved to have gotten her shadow.

Love the way the wings were captured in this shot.  And notice the tiny little feet up next to the body.  I'm waiting for the day she trusts me enough to land on my hand.

My little Bella had apparently had her fill for the time being, and decided to rest.  She's SO tiny, and yet so FAST.  I'm really anxious for her to return this year.  It does look like the nesting material has been "bothered" but who knows if it was by a hummingbird, or another bird looking for nesting materials.  I hope it was Bella though, and also hope she has her family nearby so I can watch them grow and we can enjoy each other's company for many summers to come.

I don't know how much longer it will be before I catch sight of Bella or any of the other hummingbirds.  I hope it's soon though.  The butterfly bushes, re-blooming lilacs, and honeysuckle bush help attract them, so I'm doing my part to make the back yard a hummingbird haven.  C'mon ladies, have pity on the human and show your beauty to her, and get those lazy males to show up once in a while!  She promises to feed you and only get close enough for pictures.  What do you say?  Hmmmmm?