Song - A River Runs Through It: Theme
Little Truckee River
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
I am haunted by waters"
--Norman Maclean - A River Runs Through It
Song - Fish and Whistle by John Prine
While gardening today I happened to look down at the creek and saw this Green Heron. She noticed me up on the bank but she was very interested in fishing right now.
She spotted something nearby.....
...and quick as you please she had a minnow in her beak....gobble, gobble and it was gone!
Not 10 minutes later I looked for her again but instead saw this Great White Egret fishing in a deeper part of the creek.
He noticed me as well but was hungry for lunch. Unfortunately he was so quick the photo is somewhat blurry but you can see his head underwater and the bubbles from the splash. And up he came....
Yesterday I was watering the veggie garden and I had an encounter with a Hummingbird. It was incredible how playful she was. As I was watering she came by to suck some nectar from the bright orange nasturtiums bordering the garden. She sat on the wire fence and watched me closely. Then observing the stream of water from my hose, she darted in & out of it. She stuck her long tongue out to drink the water and then landed on a Dahlia leaf as I sprayed near her. A dip in the Dahlia leaf collected a pool of water and she drank from that as well. Then she flew off only to come back several more times to play. I called her Betty....she liked that!
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life,
there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.”
– Doug Larson.
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!
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.....
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
Song - When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along by Bing Crosby
I get so much enjoyment from these two and am able to help teach my grandson Henry about birds and their nests.
It may be too late for the birds to use this spring but it will be ready for them next year.
We have been seeing this small little wren like birds and I found out that they are Bushtits. They love the suet feeder full of bugs and nuts! They also like the nesting balls I have hanging on our trees.
They work very hard at pulling the cotton out of the twig ball and just when you think they have too much to fly with, they go in for even more!
Even the hummingbirds go in for this nesting material. They have gone through two balls this month so I just purchased two more along with some refill for the first two!
Two days ago I woke up to find two beautiful deer in our backyard happily munching away on my roses. In 25 years they have never gotten into our backyard and when I walked out to see the damage they had done I almost cried. My new tender rose growth, the hydrangeas, new shoots from my sweet peas....gone....now I love deer but not in my garden! Mr. B and I went out that day with deer repellent and sprayed the yard.....I have two more bottles coming in the mail today! Yesterday I opened the front curtain and there was a big ol' turkey on my front porch. He didn't do much damage and I was glad that Henry got to see him and now walks around the house saying "gobble, gobble"!
One more beautiful troublemaker in my yard - hawks! Just while I was typing this post I saw him fly into a tree right outside my door. I see you Mr. Hawk trying to hide behind the wind chimes!!!
"Enjoy the little things in life for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things."
--Kurt Vonnegut
Song - Stuck In The Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
And hawks to the right.....here I am.....
I believe he is a Cooper's Hawk. Very small -- only about 10 inches from his head to the base of his tail.
But he sat so still as I snapped away. I think he might have been interested in this little Bushtit who was hanging out on the suet feeder.
After about 40 minutes he flew off with out any breakfast.....at least none from my backyard!
So now you know who was to the left of me and who was to the right but guess who was above me on my roof?
A marching Canadian Goose!
And his partner. They come every year about this time and call to their friends and lovers to join in the rooftop party!
After they are through waking up the whole neighborhood.....
off they go to party at some one else's place!
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
Song - You've Got A Friend covered by the cast of BEAUTIFUL
I know that Spring is around the corner as the Canadian Geese have been landing on our roof early in the morning doing their annual mating ritual.
The week started out pretty well as we had an intimate birthday dinner last weekend for Mr. B who turned 70 (yikes) and our middle son Jon who is turning 35 in a few days. I was worried that we would have to put up two easy-ups because rain was threatening. But all was well on Saturday morning and I was able to set up our large outdoor table with appropriate social distancing. Of course it was on the cold side so we had a great fire in our outdoor fireplace and lots of blanket and coats were worn. And with that behind me.....
I moved on to enjoying the birds in our backyard! Above is a White-breasted Nuthatch. They really love the new suet log I place out there. Actually it's not just tree climbers that use it but a variety of songbirds enjoy it as well.
The Downy Woodpecker comes several times each day so I try to keep the log full of suet for all of the visitors.
Early this week Mr. B read that songbirds are getting sick and dying in California. I quickly read up on what was happening. Apparently the Pine Siskin's are spreading salmonella across the state as they fly through from Canada. So the recommendation has been to take down all backyard feeders and bird baths where birds are likely to congregate. Oh no....I said out loud. They are my favorite company & entertainment during this pandemic. I then had a good talk with myself as to how selfish that is and the safety of the birds is much more important. Apparently it will only be for a month or so until the Pine Siskin moves on to other territory. Phew.....
There is another danger to my songbirds lurking out there.....
The Red Shouldered Hawk! Usually he is hanging out in the big Oak trees that surround our property but lately he has been dropping in a lot closer to keep an eye on my little friends. I'm not too sure what I can do about him other than throwing an ice cube at him occasionally. They are beautiful creatures but I love my songbirds more so I just try to make his presence around here a negative experience.
And when you have a happy, dedicated little helper like I do.....
"Education begins the moment we see children
as innately wise and capable beings.
Only then can we play along in their world."
--Vince Gowmon
