Beauty and the...........Beast

Song - Beauty and the Beast - Celine Dion & Peabo Bryson (Cover by Poppert Bernadas & Gimbey dela Cruz)

 In the shade garden my Helleborus are so happy but you can't see their little faces as they tend to hang down so I picked one to show you their subtle beauty.

Yesterday I walked around my garden looking for some relief to staying indoors these last few months.  I have had some awful bronchial crud that has hung on forever so I have been trying to take it easy.  Finally I just had to get outside and breath some fresh air!

What actually brought me outside was this little wren that flew into our house and refused to leave.

I threw open the back doors hoping he would find his own way out and he finally did.

Besides the Helleborus several other plants were showing me that spring is just around the corner.  Above are some Forget-me-Not's.

And the Daphne bushes are ready to let me take in their heady fragrance.......

I have several plots of Daffodil's that I pick daily.

And the Grape Hyacinth's are coming up like pretty little weeds as every year they multiply!!!

So you have seen several beauties in my garden....

....are you ready for the BEAST?

Another face that only a mother could love.....

I think there may be something dead near the creek as there were five of them in the tree and have been there more than a week.

Since I feel compelled to leave you with a happy image....

 

We have been having the most amazing sunsets lately!

"Unlike many raptors, vultures are relatively social 

and often feed, fly or roost in large flocks. 

A group of vultures is called a committee, venue or volt. 

In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle, 

and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass, 

the group is called a wake."

Sanctuary

Song - Wish You Were Here by Sierra Eagleson (Pink Floyd Cover)


 So I went out in the garden this morning to feed the birds......

and to check on what needs tending in the yard.......lots! 

And then I spotted a red headed woodpecker on the suet feeder so I ran inside to grab my camera.  But by the time I got back the woodpecker was gone but this little Black Capped Chickadee was there.  So I sat down and watched the animals come and go.

Two ducks appeared in the creek and the female started a wild bathing routine while the male duck looked on. Finally she settled down and swam over to a little island where the male was waiting.

I picked some lemons.....some Grape Hyacinth......and some Camellia's.......

I picked a big bouquet of Daffodils.....both yellow and white.

 

The Quince bushes are blooming.

 And the white Primrose's are popping up from last year......

The Star Magnolia is sweet and frilly.

Here in California we have not had much rain and even worse - NO SNOW!

I worry that my beloved garden may not have any water this summer and then where will the songbirds play?

"A garden is a grand teacher.  

It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; 

it teaches industry and thrift; 

above all it teaches entire trust."  

--Gertrude Jeckyll