My cameras are working overtime at this time of year. Every day brings forth new joys and gifts of unexpected bird sightings, a wonderful downtown festival, volunteering and gardening. Last night we joined folks at Mountain Vale for an American Idol watch party that did not end the way we had hoped for as Braden was not one of the top three. That said, it was probably for the best because ABC insisted on the town having a parade and concert should he be in the top three which sounded pretty neat until you checked the weather forecast. 95% chance of rain would have been pretty miserable should it actually happen! Early last week heavy rain was predicted for Saturday and the day turned out to be picture perfect, so there you go.
I just came in from a garden survey and much to my surprise, the celery was completely gone. While it didn't seem to be growing as much as I would have liked it to, I never expected it to vanish. Perhaps this fellow is responsible?
. Of course there is more than enough clover, the little white flowers, to eat but maybe the celery looked tastier? If you like me had always heard the word clover but never really knew what it looked like, now you do! Having just looked it up there is a crimson version as well.
The intensity of color that is our Japanese maple tree right now is really something. Some of the inside leaves are beginning to put on their summer green color but seemingly, there is a long way to go before it is all green again.
This will be our third Spring here in Murphy and I still cannot get over how dramatic the changes are during the seasons. What once was so barren looking is now so lush it is hard to imagine, even though I am seeing it with my own two eyes. The brilliant yellow flowers are beginning to diminish somewha,t but continue to amaze in whatever stage they are. The scene below has changed so dramatically I hardly recognize it.
Should you walk the other way it is lush with green foliage.
The above is where the river runs through the park where the American Idol concert was to be held should he have made the top five. I was thinking last week that people love visiting in the fall when all this begins to change from intense green to a multi-colored landscape and while that is super great, this is darn good as well. Plus the birds right now are abundant, and as I mentioned in the first paragraph present themselves as little gifts to me when I spot one like this Yellow-Rumped Warbler.
Isn't it so cute??? I also came across some Brown Thrashers that I am pretty confident are a parent and baby.
While we are still in the park here is a mama bluebird with a goodie for her brood.
A tree swallow guarding her box.
Look at this little Carolina Chickadee! So cute.
Perhaps you are wondering why, if I have already photographed a species of bird many times, why I continue to do so and my answer is because each one is unique even though I may not recognize any difference; not to mention who doesn't love a gift which I consider each bird sighting? There were several years when my gifts consisted of seeing owl and their owlets, as well as eagles and their eaglets, and believe you me, my long-time readers probably grew weary of my obsession, but they seemed to have stuck with me. This past week Cliff Swallows, a new bird to me, are having a hey-day under the pedestrian bridge beside the playground and pickleball courts. It is quite the spectacle seeing dozens of birds flying around like little missiles, seemingly never stopping in their quest to catch flying insects for their young who they are raising in nests made of mud. It is hard for me to stay away even though I've already taken countless pictures in my quest to get a good one!
Picture this: a dozen or so fly every which way, round and round, finally one drops down to the riverbank to gather mud and others swoop down joining in their quest to build their nests. Should you be interested, here's
a link with more details. For me their behavior is nothing short of amazing, however, lots of folks walk over the bridge and never even seem to notice them zipping around overhead. While studying them from my perch on the bridge, first off I am so grateful to have a zoom lens, and secondly with said zoom lens I see things that are sometimes hard to notice.
My phone tells me this is a Solitary Sandpiper and most of the time, the phone is correct. But not every time, so don't quote me on this one.
This is the entry closest to our home. Everything basically was brown a month ago.
We are so fortunate to have this free resource in our town and I am
so grateful for the folks who continue to maintain it. I was walking along the other day and the word that came to mind to describe the experience is "wild". Yes, there is a boardwalk or paths, but aside from that, it's nothing like we were accustomed to and that's a good thing! Before too much longer, they will open the dam and the level of the river will rise, meaning no longer will there be little rapids or the sight of big rocks on the river bed. I like it better low, but for those folks who love kayaking, the high level is ideal. I love seeing all the wild plants at this time of year including maidenhair ferns.
Raindrops on a cedar tree branch that was bare sticks but a month ago. The fresh green is so lush.
One day as I was standing on the bridge I noticed pink blossoms floating in the water. Here's why....
Let's turn our attention to the home front where exciting outdoor things are happening. It was so funny one day last week, well at least to me, but anyway, I opened the front door and saw a bird on the feeder that was a first time visitor, a female Rose Breasted Grosbeak, a bird we once had at the cottage feeders but I've never seen since. Naturally I was freaking out and called out to Bruce to bring me my camera PLEASE! Looking everywhere he brought me two cameras, neither of which have good zoom capabilities so I had to bite the bullet and instead of a nice close up, see if you see said bird in the photo below.
Yup, I figured as much. No can do. Once our lady friend flew away I went in search of the bigger camera and I'd left it downstairs on the garden potting bench! Yeesh! When you see a bird, one must act with expediency. She has not returned. :(
A closer look at the beautiful double petunia. Having the right camera lens makes a big difference.
One afternoon Bruce tied up the abundance of peonie blooms and buds that were weighing the plant down; so far none have opened yet but any day now. There are fifty, yes you read that correctly, fifty! (actually I started this post yesterday and my garden tour just now showed several opening up)
Very close to this amazing plant, I kept hearing a bird call from the giant plants, over and over like a youngster. Sure enough, here's a young Song Sparrow. Cheep, cheep, cheep and the beat goes on.
Gosh, just so much to show you...I hope you are interested!
One day we drove to Young Harris, a small nearby town, for Bruce's regular medical check up. Remember I told you how green the mountains were? Well, here's the evidence.
We spent some time last week preparing for my role in providing refreshments for the dedication service at the grand re-opening of the Harshaw Chapel. Built in 1869 as the first church for the early Methodists in this region it was in dis-repair but after the new roof went on and other improvements because Pastor Wil is leaving soon, the weekend had three separate events to commemorate the occasion. A highlight was when Demi and her brother Hoyt sand, "I Wander as I Wander", a beloved song composed here in Murphy.
Lori and I at the refreshment table graced with our neighbor Sandy's gorgeous peonies. And yes, I saw this dress in my closet and said, "this will do."
Friends, I have a feeling you've had enough so I will leave you with a few items perhaps I can cover in my next post.
* Someone is arriving soon from Asheville to determine once and for all the viability of the fireplace working again.
*The Spring Fling was a great success this year. Perfect weather and good crowds.
*We finally bought a painting to replace the one over the fireplace that came with the house!
*Bruce is in his shop making a frame.
*I am entering two photographs in the Silver Arts again. Due on Thrusday this week, we shall see.
*Jonathan flew to Japan for the month for work and he arrived safe and sound.
*Mr. Christian, aka our grandson is now wearing little shoes that are so cute.
I do so hope you've enjoyed this week in our little slice of heaven here. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
your friend,
Gail
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