Field of Dreams

Song - In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins cover by Sierra Eagleson 

 

 The day after Thanksgiving Mr. B and I decided to take a little day trip to our Field of Dreams.  See all of those cut corn stalks in this field near Lodi?  Guess what they attract?

 

Birds....thousands and thousands of glorious birds.....

Great Blue Herons

Tundra Swans

 

 Great Egrets

And Sandhill Cranes.....

October through March these birds migrate to the Delta wetlands coming as far away as Siberia and Canada. They will spend the winter here before returning to their home.

Sandhill Cranes in flight with their long fingertips in the breeze.....

We spent several hours observing so many birds and as we were leaving I spotted something that didn't look like a bird.

 

 A coyote running under the Walnut trees near a levee. He worked his way around the levee and began to approach the birds in the water. I thought they might all fly off or at least move away from the shores.  

But nope they stayed put but kept an eye on him as he took a long drink of water then moved on.

 

We headed back to "civilization" just as the sun was setting.  It was a wonderful warm day with windows open while listening to the multitude of birdsong.

 

We spotted Mt. Diablo in the distance near Rio Vista heading home. 

 

"Life is a journey

I don't have a map for."

--Delta Goodrem

 

Keeping It Simple

 Song - Let it Go by James Bay cover by Sierra Eagleson

January 2, 2022

Winter apple left on the tree for the birds and squirrels....

“You don’t need more, 

you just need meaningful” 

 

--IG @ wonderingsoulcabin

Mother's Day 2021

Song -Tell Mama - Cover by Sierra Eagleson

This was the first year without celebrating Mother's Day with my mom.  I felt my sadness for weeks so I told myself that it was just a Hallmark day on the calendar......but my body & heart didn't listen.....  I could feel myself getting into a funk so I talked with my boys and let them know that I was spending the day in the garden - no fuss, no muss - just a call would do nicely..... thank you very much!

Henry didn't listen.... 

My two year old grandson knows how much I like birds and hand painted two miniature bird houses for me and painted a heart shape stepping stone for the veggie garden that he absolutely decided could NOT be stepped on by anyone!  So it is now leaning against the stone wall in the garden for all to admire!

 

 Of course it is a purple heart because that is his favorite color right now!!!

So just what did I do on Mother's Day.....

....I watched a Clematis unfurl......

                                                                                               .....I pinched back my Sweet Basil.....

I set up my grandmother's ravioli table as a potting table and a old wicker chair from my mom to sit and relax in the shade.

 

 ....I watched a Spotted Towhee trying to hide in the oak tree.....

 

 and I listened to the water flowing from our fountain that Mr. B had just cleaned out the day before.

I thought about dead heading some roses but they were all in the sun and it was 92 degrees!

I planted a Hosta and some Impatiens in the shade and added a water saucer for the birds.....

 

 

 Henry and I had planted some strawberries the week before so I watered them for him....

....I gave two of my large ball box woods a much needed trim.....

.......and Mr. B helped me dig up some volunteer Japanese Maple seedlings and I potted them up on my new table!

 

And as the warm day began to cool down a bit Mr. B brought us both down Gin & Tonic's to sip by the pool......the first since last summer....

 

 I watched a Black Phoebe capture a Damselfly and then he pondered what to do next....

As the day finally drew to an end I thanked my mom for all she has done for me and continues to bring to me daily - especially the joy of a garden.  Thank you mom.....

 

 "We are born of love; love is our mother."

--Rumi

 

 

Mounting Evidence

 Song - All the Pretty Girls - Kaleo cover by Sierra Eagleson

Mmmmm.....so do I see evidence here?

Yep......a little activity has been going on in Mr. B's birdhouse. Can you see the hair and twigs in the tree and on the railing?

Swee, swee, swee, swee.....the little Oak Titmouse calls to its mate as they both work on the nest.

I just love how they look after each other.  

If they decide to move in, this will be the fifth year that they have used this birdhouse!

And I really hope they decide to stay!

"The name titmouse is recorded from the 14th century, composed of the Old English name for the bird, mase (Proto-Germanic *maison, Dutch mezen, German Meise), and tit, denoting something small. The former spelling, "titmose", was influenced by mouse in the 16th century."

--Wikipedia

Look Up, Look Down

 Song - In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins cover by Sierra Eagleson

Several weeks ago it was Mr. B & my 41st Anniversary.  We decided to celebrate so he took me to a Tsunami Zone.......well no but yes.  We actually headed to Nick's Cove near Tomales for our first dining out experience in five months!

It was a cool day on the coast but so refreshing to sit outside at the waters edge and enjoy a delightful lunch together. Then we headed over to Bodega Bay to take a long walk on the beach.

And when I looked up......

I spotted lot's of Forster's Terns......

 

 

And Pelican's flying low over the water.

And several colorful kites drifting in the breeze.

When I looked down I saw.....

.....Wimbrel's looking for crabs with their long curved beaks.....

....an elaborate sand castle with a moat dug all around it and feather & pebble decorations.....

...and a blooming red bulb seaweed........

....bits of shells......

...interesting feathers.....

and this sweet little flowering plant that I have never seen before.

And when I looked up again....

...I spotted this sea monster looking at me!

Happy Anniversary Mr. B - And here is to many more.....

"Because of our routines 

we forget that life is 

an ongoing adventure."    

--Maya Angelou

Top Notch

Song - Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots cover by Sierra Eagleson

Hello little fellow.......

A quails top notch is actually not a "top notch" but a crest or plume and is designed to impress a potential mate. 

The plume isn't just one feather but six and the bushier it is, the more attractive he is.....Rogaine anyone?

A group of quail are known as a coveys.

This one I captured on a garden fence in Carmel.

"What if I fall? 

Oh but my darling, what if you fly?"

--Erin Hanson