I can't help but share more Springtime photos from around our home. It can be a very short season and I like to savor every moment.
The Bridal Wreath Spirea is blooming so lovely this year. I got this little shrub from my Mama years ago from my childhood home. It means the world to me to see it blooming.
The columbine continues to grow beautifully along with its other red companion.
These are the sweetest spring flowers that reseed themselves and enjoy their day in the sun/shade garden.
This female red bellied woodpecker is waiting her turn at the suet. If you can feed the birds, you are in for a treat. They will reward you with their antics and appearances near you.
The male goldfinch has been coming by for breakfast every morning.
We've been quite surprised to see the male pileated woodpecker this late in the season. We usually see them in winter, but he is welcome to chow down at our suet anytime! He really does consume an enormous amount of suet, though.
The Viburnum Snowball shrub is taller this year. It's blooming so lovely this year!
My cousin reminded me that our Grandmother had these on either side of her front steps. Her variety must have been different for I don't think she would have had twelve foot shrubs next to the steps.
Spring is so lovely this year in spite of the terrible storms we have experienced. I am sitting on our patio writing this post and watching a male wren go in and out of a birdhouse on a side table. He has been so attentive to his mate. I dare not disturb this process and hope I will have some baby wrens to photograph! While I was reading about their habits I learned that the male will build up to 12 nests and introduce them to his mate. She will choose the one to her liking. Now, if that isn't amazing, I don't know what is! Happy Springtime!
Twelve homes from which to choose! Lucky gal! 😉 My childhood home is being rented to a friend. There are bridal wreath, snowball whatevers, and quince. I should see about getting some rootings from each while I can. Everything in your corner looks great. This has been a spring for the record books.
ReplyDeleteI think it would mean a lot to you to get plants from your childhood home, Vee. I'm sentimental, if you haven't noticed, and it really means a lot to me. Hopefully Spring will come and stay for you soon!
DeleteDear Martha Ellen ... How lovely to sit on the patio with you today ... The scenery is heavenly and I’m particularly interested in the red Bellied Wood pecker as I have never seen one. We have lots of the piliated woodpeckers and I do love to hear him tap tap tapping outside the window in the woods. Your pictures are fabulous!!! My father had a beautiful Bridal Wreath Spirea which I always admired ... I do love all blossoms and flowers but must admit to my passion for the sweet columbines ... We have some darling wild columbines growing around the yard under a wooded cathedral bough. ... They are so very delicate but, I do enjoy pressing them into books and making clay impressions for my artwork. ... Your snowball brough tears to my eyes because, again, my father had one of either side of the steps too and they were enormous, with blossoms as big as your head ... How charming to have that wren house in view ... These little darlings sure do brighten a day don't they!!! ...Thank You for sharing this happy little corner of your porch. It was absolutely delightful, my Friend... Hugs
ReplyDeleteZaa, I'm so glad you joined me today. It's quite warm and sunny so I do hope you have your sunglasses on. I'll bring out the tea for us to enjoy. It sounds like your father enjoyed gardening. Isn't it wonderful to remember these special flowers from our family home? Praying for a successful surgery and easy recovery, sweet friend. Take care of yourself.
DeleteHow wonderful that you have wrens taking up residence in that beautiful bird house. Love all your flowers and birds. I agree, they are very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteWe are excited to have the wrens and hope we don't disturb their special time. It's humbling to observe. Thank you for your sweet comments, Denise.
DeleteYou obviously take very good care of your gardens to be rewarded with such prolific blooms! You also much be johnny on the spot filling your bird feeders. You have wonderful birds there. We rarely see a pileated woodpecker at our house but when we do I get very excited. Enjoy your lovely garden flowers.. I am looking forward to seeing my lilacs tomorrow. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I love gardening. You can find me outside tending to something frequently. We get excited when a pileated woodpecker comes to the suet--they are so elusive and we feel honored when they visit. I hope to see photos of your lilacs! Have safe travels on your return home.
DeleteGood Morning Dear Friend! Well, I love your columbine flowers, so pretty with their colouring, and full of the bobbing demure nature of this traditional cottage garden plant. However, it's your woodpecker photos I admire most. They are such flighty, fast moving feathery friends that are almost impossible to capture, yet you have done so brilliantly with both to get lovely, clear images.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is a reward for all your hard work and effort, so sit back and enjoy it, before the searing heat of summer comes! I will join you for a refreshing cup of tea and some cake, and if it's after 6:00 p.m. maybe even a refreshing G&T!
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Deb, I am usually lucky to capture the woodpeckers while they are eating. It's one of the reasons I so enjoy feeding the birds.
DeleteIt would be such a joy to have you anytime, my friend. You are right, please come before the heat and humidity cranks up in Virginia! ♥ xoxo
Your snowball viburnum looks wonderful and so does your bridal wreath spirea! How nice that you got that from your mother’s home. I love columbines and yours look so pretty. Mine are up but a ways from blooming. I do love bird watching too. Right now we’re visited by at least a dozen goldfinches and many more. I saw a pileated woodpecker try to get on my suet the other day. They are very elusive and can be hard to photograph because of it. The wren looks so cute. I didn’t know about the male’s nest building habit. How interesting!
ReplyDeleteLiz, I know you are excited for Spring to come in all of her glory. Our peak is over, but still a lot going on here. I have great windows that enable me to hide and photograph the birds at our feeders. Nature never ceases to amaze and entice me.
DeleteThat's a resourceful bird for sure. I wonder how the mama bird decides. Looks like Spring is lovely in your corner of the world!
ReplyDeleteI wonder the same thing, Ellen. Maybe she has the instinct to choose the safest abode to raise her offspring. I hope you are enjoying a lovely Spring.
DeleteThe Bridal Wreath plant is so pretty. And it's still alive from your childhood home? The Gold Finch is beautiful. The Woodpecker is so funny to watch. That was interesting about the Wrens and their nests. You can never show too many flowers or plants on your blog, Martha Ellen. I enjoy seeing them all, and I learn a few things along the way. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWishing you wonderful May days.
~Sheri
Sheri, the bridal wreath spirea was a shoot that came up next to my Mama's plant. I bought it home and planted it and it has bloomed here for many years. Most shrubs live for hundreds of years. I'm so glad this one is still going strong. Have a happy weekend.
DeleteSuch fun to be able to enjoy such a beautiful spring from your patio! You sure do have some loveliness there in your yard. (The birds know it too!) How wonderful to have the bridal veil spirea from your own mama's bush. That is so special!
ReplyDeleteMay Spring continue to delight!
I'm so sentimental, Cheryl, even about plants. I can now hear the little wrens chirping each time one of the parents comes with a morsel to eat. Things are happening quickly in the birdhouse. I wish I could get the baby wren's photo, but I don't want to keep mama and daddy from tending to them. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteLoving those flowers. So pretty. I love spring of course cause of all the blooms and the pretty colors. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePam, so many changes happen so quickly in Spring in the garden. Thank you for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteLove all the pretty flowers and lovely to see the birds too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about wrens nests, so many thanks for this information.
All the best Jan