WATERING YOUR GARDEN

 

The joy of having a garden is the daily walk of anticipation to check and see what's new and what's happening in your lovely oasis. Finding new growth, little flower buds ready to burst open and the beginnings of little fruits and vegetables.   It is all so satisfying. 

 I feel like all of my plants appreciate my presence, attention and care.  

I always feel positive vibrations. 

 Especially when I am watering. 

When watering one can feel the air surrounding you and the plants, cleaning and humidifying.  I think of the roots taking a big satisfying drink of water.  I always like to flip the sprinkler nozzle around to just watch the droplets dance everywhere, like it's raining - giving them and me, a cool shower and a bit of relief from the heat. Also, the beautiful reflection rainbow that appears as the light is reflected inside the droplet and finally reflected out again into the air.  Feels like magic...

I know that they advise you to water early in the morning so that the foliage will have a chance to dry before nightfall.  Because if the leaves are wet when it cools down at night the plant may have problems with fungus and disease.  

But, I have to say that I have watered - on more than one occasion, during the day - during the hottest time of the day because I felt sorry for the plants - sometimes they look stressed under really hot conditions.   I do however get down low and try and water under the plants - but I also do like to sprinkle the whole plant - thinking that I am cooling it off.  No fungal problems yet - fingers crossed.

While I'm sprinkling, I wash out and refill several containers that I have set out for the birds, squirrels and anyone passing through that needs a drink.  I have seen squirrels lying on their tummy's and drinking quite a bit.  Good to know that I'm providing water for them in hot weather.  I also enjoy birds taking baths in the containers I have set about.  They are not deep, and I put a brick in the middle so that no one will have a problem in the water.  

I even think of all of the bees, butterflies and bugs drinking off of the droplets on the leaves.  

There might also be Fairie folk in my gardens - loving a cool shower and filling their little buckets with fresh, cool water.  

I don't know if the watering does more for my garden plants or more for me - it always leaves me with a satisfying, full feeling. 

  

When I water in the morning - I tell everyone "Good Morning, it's going to be a beautiful day." And, if I water in the evening, I tell my plants "Good Night, sleep well, see you in the morning." 

We have had quite a bit of rain this spring/summer - and even though it appears that it has rained enough - sometimes it just hasn't.  It might rain hard and just kind of run off - or the 10-minute rain might only just touch the surface....so, I always scratch back the soil to see how much rain actually got down into the soil.  We have rather sandy soil...live near Lake Michigan/Bay...so, the water does tend to run off when the beds are mounded higher....so, I make sure that I take a lot of the compost from our chickens/leaves/and vegetable peelings and mix that into this sandy soil.  Hopefully building it up each year.  Apparently, it works...my gardens are always beautiful.  

I keep a big rain barrel and water my plants with the collected water when the barrel is getting too full...has to be the best for them.  I keep several goldfish in the barrel, and they seem to love living there in the warmer weather and then they go into a tank in the greenhouse in the colder months.  

Watering my gardens reminds me of the way I feel when I hang bed sheets on my clothesline.  Some people may think of it as a chore.  I think of it as a reason to slow down, enjoy my beautiful surroundings, feel blessed and be grateful.  While moving in this rhymical type movement - my mind and body float into a deep, relaxing state of mind.  

And that is a very good thing for my soul and spirit.

  

SPRING/SUMMER - A TIME OF BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS AND A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF POLLEN

 

We live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The UP, as it is called.  It is surrounded by three of the Great Lakes - Superior, Huron and Lake Michigan. 

 Living up north, we do have longer winters.  We moved here from Wisconsin a few years ago and initially thought that the further north you went, the colder it was, and the more it snowed.  We are always amazed at how mild winters really are here in the UP.  We live close to the Bay - Green Bay/Lake Michigan and it seems that most approaching storms either go north or south of us. We only have a few inches of accumulation each winter and the temps rarely go below zero.  Winter type weather and sudden dips in temperature does come and go on until May.  So, that basically makes the growing season from June/July until Oct/Nov.  Which is pretty much we are used to as Midwesterners.  

So, when the tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths and all of the other bulbs you planted pop up, color begins to fill the ground where snow laid not long ago. Even when the temps still drop down at night, I'm always amazed and happy that these beautiful bulbs survive and thrive. 

Slowly but surely the daytime and nighttime temps start leveling out and all kinds of other plants start making their way out of the soil.  Reaching out for the warm sun.  

Not due to any expertise on my part - but it seems like when one blooming plant has lived out it's blossom life, another one kicks in...first tulips, then lilacs and fruit tree blossoms.  Then the big orange happy faces of the Poppies and the beautiful delicate purple Trillium.  The sturdy but short lived (little flowers) of the Lily of the Valley are up and smelling wonderful alongside the Iris.  All of the buds on the rose bushes are plumping up and starting to open revealing so many beautiful variations of color and size.  The Stella D'Oro's are getting ready and opening everywhere.  Next the Asian Lilies and fragrant Stargazer Lilies. And this year we were treated, for the first time, with Columbine flowers that made it through the winter and also a first, Fox Glove, and their beautiful purple and apricot bells.  I have quite a few Rudbeckias and they are all growing tall from under the Hosta and soon there will be their most amazing flowers.  Rudbeckias are pretty sturdy and last for weeks...in all kinds of orange, yellow and brown combinations. 

 I always plant a lot of seeds - how could you not?  When there is still snow on the ground all of these beautiful little packets of joy start appearing at all of the stores.  They give us all the joyful anticipation that spring and summer months will bring.   Lastly, all of the seeds that I planted are starting to make an appearance, Zinnias, Cosmos, Moon Flowers and beautiful, tall Hollyhocks.   Mixed into the seed plants are the sunflowers that the birds plant.  We have many bird feeders hanging from hooks above our perennial gardens - so, there are going to be sunflowers...I don't care, they are cheery little faces of sun.  

 Well, there are blooms popping out every day - but day by day there is a feeling that we're getting closer to the end of so many beautiful flowers and closer to fall.  

That's why I plant marigolds, mums, zinnias and decorative grasses - so that fall won't be all green and that there will still be color and flowers...

I have learned that it is okay to cut flowers and bring them inside to admire.  I do go outside each morning to see what is new - and I take a lot of pictures.  But, I wasn't the person that was cutting flowers at the peak of their beauty - until now.

We've had quite a rainy spring/summer this year and one day the blossoms would be beautiful and after the rain - they were so beat up...so, I started bringing in some of my beautiful flowers so that I could admire them every time I walked past them in the dining room.  

I love my gardens and all that they bring - bugs, butterflies, birds and the opportunity to take beautiful pictures to capture some of summer's color....

I HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN THIS AGE.....

I Haven't Always Been This Age......

Now that I am a recently retired woman, 

 I find myself paying much more attention as to how others around my age, conduct themselves in public.  And also, how they are treated by others when they are out traversing about in this

 fast-paced world.  

 I am a writer and general overall ' people watcher' so this daily activity is not new to me.   I have one published book under my belt and another that is currently going through the publishing process with a Literary Agent.  In my various professions and my love of a good story - I glean voices, facial expressions and stories from everyone I meet or have known.  I watch strangers that are interesting to me in some way, on my daily travels. I am very observant of others, (without starring I hope) and I often watch people's faces as they speak.  I listen to the tone of their voices and especially what kind of laugh they have.  I love a good hearty laugh. I watch the many...many...types of gaits and how people hold themselves. All of these various characteristics will many times inspire me to start writing a new story and/or add a character or event to my many stories that are 'in the process'.    

Thinking back to when I was a younger, I remember feeling impatient with older folks and telling myself, 'That will never ever be me'.  Older folks still occasionally irritate me even though I am now joining their ranks.  They tend to move more slowly, block the aisles in the store while looking through the many choices, and seem to take a lot of time to check out with cards/check or cash.  I often wonder if they've always been like this and are now just an exaggerated version of themselves.  Or, if they just aren't as aware of other people's need to 'get going". I try to remember that probably they are just doing their best to keep up with their changing life in this always, hard to keep up with, changing world. 

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this inevitable transition time in everyone's life.  Not everyone has been fortunate enough to live this long to actually experience it.  I'm used to being a mom, wife, student, businesswoman and person who worked my entire life. Thinking about retiring always seemed like the dream.  So, I did it three times. When I retired from my main profession (Social Services), I immediately went back into the nursing field and then when we relocated, I worked at a busy, great deli/catering business.  Now I think I am really retired (although I do a lot of volunteering for local organizations, and I am getting ready to open up a shoppe on the internet selling crafts that I love to make). Anyway....

 When I was feeling impatient with older folks, I don't think I had ever shown that impatience outwardly.  I have always held doors and assisted in any way that I could for parents with little kids/babies and also for older people.  I have always made eye contact, smiled and said 'Hello", "How are You?" or "Nice day".  I am now starting to understand the whole process of getting older and it's not quite as delightful as I used to think it would be.  Sure, there are always really nice people that notice that you are older and hold doors, ask if they can help you load lumber into your truck and kindly grab your cart in the parking lot and either use it or take it back to the cart corral.  But unfortunately, there are also people that just look through you as though you are invisible. Eventually it might make you feel like you don't matter as much as you used to, or even at all. But we do all matter, and we must never forget that....

 My wish would be for all people to view each other as someone that loves, is loved, has a life, a past, enjoys hobbies, has or had a career and is busy figuring out this new life of aging on an everyday basis.   And, that we are all just doing the best that we can in this quickly changing stage of our life.  I would wish that everyone would know that 'a gentle recognition', a nod, a 'Hello' or a short conversation can make a difference in a person's day and quite possibly in their life. Any small act of kindness makes an older person feel visible again.      

I think about the fact that they - everyone - is going to be this older age eventually.  I know this is not something that you think about when you are younger, but you will age, your life will change, and you will be treated differently.  

Does one ever get used to this treatment, just accept it as part of the cycle of life?  And how does it affect you, mentally, emotionally and possibly physically?  Do you fight it, get used to it, just go with the flow?  Do you allow it to make you sad and thus feel unimportant?  Fortunately, this is not true in all cultures - and/or with all people.  It is hard to understand why this same person, only an older version, is being treated differently.  You are still you and you still matter as much as you ever did.... 

How do you learn to 'fit in'?  You cannot force others to act any different than you did, when you were their age.  I think that by just recognizing that the world is really moving quickly and that we are moving slower as we age, helps you to better understand this change   And, that we need to just make more age-appropriate choices for ourselves. Choices that feel more comfortable for us at this stage of our life.  Acknowledging that we are older and have changed is not a bad thing to admit to oneself.  Love that your life has slowed down and that you can now take the time to 'smell the roses' so to speak.   Be careful, be safe and try to move with the flow when you have to...but all other times, enjoy the place that you have reached.  A place to slow down enough to really think about wonderful times and memories.  And, purposefully in an uninterrupted fashion, continue to create those memories for oneself and for our loved ones.  

 Recognize that your children, grandchildren are still in a busy stage of their life.  They are not ignoring you. You can't always have it both ways...doing all of the things that you hoped that they would do and also have all of the time in the world to talk to you and to spend with you.  Enjoy creating memories for them in whatever way you find most fulfilling.  Whether it be through writing stories, poems, journaling about the past and present, exploring your family's genealogy, learning or doing crafts to make things that they will love.   Because whatever you are creating at this time will be very important to them one day when their life slows down and they too will wonder where all of those years went.  You wish that you could adequately convey this whole aging process to them, but you really can't.  They will have to find out for themselves.  Your hope is that you were a good example of a parent, grandparent and older person and that they will have learned from your example. Being a good example will also help you live up to the very best you.... 

   The Grandeur of Age is the Richness of Wisdom that No Youth Can Claim

 Aging Gracefully Means Dancing in the Rhythm of Time, 

 Yet Keeping the Music of Youth Alive

GRAY RAINY DAYS.....HOW THE BIRDS, PLANTS, BUGS AND WEE FOLK DEAL WITH IT...

As I awakened this morning, I could instantly feel the grayness of the day. Lifting the shade and looking out the window right behind the head of our bed, this gray feeling was confirmed. I could see that the sky was so many different shades of gray as far as one could see.  I already knew that the weather prediction for today was to be mostly cloudy with a very good chance of rain. I suppose it is to be expected - it is the end of the winter season transitioning into the beginning of the spring season.  Tulips are beginning to push up through the soil everywhere in my flower beds. Also in places that I don't even remember planting them.  The busy squirrels dug up some of the bulbs I planted, to store for winter food and then they also always feel the need to redesign my landscape plan. I can see a wisp of green here and there where fresh new buds are popping out on the trees and bushes in anticipation of another wonderful year of growth.   I always feel a great amount of hope and joy when I see that nature is performing normally despite whatever else might be going on in this world.  The thought of spring and all of its possibilities always warms my heart.  It's been a long winter and it had to have been hard on all the plants, the birds, the Wee Folk and all of the little bugs.  I'm sure that they are just as happy and anxious as I am for the daily signs of the upcoming spring/summer.  Warmer weather, many days of sunshine interspersed with sprinkles of welcome rain.   

Sitting comfortably in my warm and cozy window seat, I pull my soft afghan up around me. I brewed a cup of my favorite coffee and am enjoying that while I sit and watch and wonder about what goes on outside on these gray days. This all seems so wonderful when I name all of the reasons to feel good, but gray days still always make me feel kind of blah!  I often wonder how wildlife feels about it being gray and hazy with the feel of the coming rain hanging heavy in the air.    Do the birds stay closer to their houses rounding up their family members and then tending to their long overdue, neglected chores....do the bugs line their children up and have everyone doing their share of picking up and tidying their warm, dry space.....and do the wee folk stay in their quarters, keeping a kettle of hot water on the ready for a cup of tea and also a big pot of hot hearty soup for those visitors that don't have anywhere to go during these storms.  While they are waiting to see if a wet young bird who got caught off guard or a scared bug who got separated from their family stops by, do they tend to their never-ending basket of clothes to mend while welcoming and warming their visitors with a cup of hot chamomile tea 

or a bowl of acorn soup?    

Or, am I just projecting onto them the things that I might do on a day such as this? 

I spot a few birds flying through in a hurry for a seed or two from our full feeders, but not very many of them on cloudy days.  On beautiful sunny days birds visit all of our feeders all day long until the last seed is gone. On these bright sunny days, the birds tend to mill around the feeders, cracking sunflower seeds open for the tasty treat and just generally hanging around until a bird friend of theirs wants a place at the table also. Then they fly to a nearby branch or fence picket and wait their turn to go in again.  Occasionally, they cock their heads to be able to look up at the sky both enjoying the warmth of the sun and possibly looking for predators.

 I crack the window a little bit and can hear low rolling thunder in the distance.

  Perhaps all of the bugs, birds, Wee Folk and plants have been preparing for the rain and are taking advantage of this gray day by tending to their indoor activities.  Restacking their gathered supply of food, making sure that the walls and roof of their area are secure and then just settling down for a rest and to wait out the coming rains. Bugs always seem to be busy but I'm sure when they feel the winds change and hear the thunder rolling, they start to think about going to their safe spaces. Whether it be under a big protective leaf or up into the knot in their favorite tree.  Under the garage or barn door and into where it is dry is always a good place to wait out the wind and rain.   I never actually see the birds flying to and fro when it is raining. I picture them huddled together on a branch with their family and friends under a big thick pine bough to stay as warm and dry as possible.  With the younger and older ones under their spread-out wings, further protecting these dear ones.  It is early spring, so the birds have been busy making their nests, or cleaning up one that they use year after year to make ready for egg laying and spring babies. As I peek out the window, I do see the Robins fly up under the eaves to sit in their as yet empty nests to just wait out the rain.   I think that the Wee Folk are always busy, no matter the weather - busy with the jobs that are assigned to them in their world of taking care of nature. I picture them taking stock of their supply of food that they so willingly share with the birds and bugs when necessary and stacking and restacking all of their collected sticks, rocks and items to help repair or build protection for their friends in nature.  I think that they would occasionally sit down with a cup of hot tea and pick up the mending that needs to be done on their handmade blankets and pillows. Also, with mortar and pestle they continue blending the various herbs that they had hung and dried from last summer's crop to make into delicious tea blends to brew cups of hot tea for anyone that comes to visit.  I think that they also dedicate some of their time to weaving the many pine needles that lay beneath our tall pines into baskets to hold berries, herbs and collected items that may be useful to them or to one of their friends in nature.   

 The slow long low rumbles of thunder sound like music to the dry soil I'm sure - a big drink of fresh rainwater is coming.    And then, all of a sudden, here it comes.  First slow falling, big splatting heavy drops of rain that you can hear individually hitting on the window and on the metal roof.  And then, after the beautiful prelude, the clouds open up further and the symphony begins with all of the drops falling down from the clouds all at once, hitting every plastic, metal and any other surface that will add to the beautiful musical concert.   It is raining so hard at the moment that I cannot even see my garden very well.  I do hope that everyone is safe and warm out there.... 

I do worry about all of the little ones out there - will they be okay?  This is their daily life - all they've ever known and I'm sure they are much more prepared than we are.  We can just dash into the house out of the elements and go to the refrigerator when we're in need of a snack.  They have to be much more prepared for challenging days like today. They always need to stock up on food supplies and regularly continue to reinforce their space that will keep them safely out of the wind, rain & snow.  It doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon.  Afterall, April showers will bring all of the beautiful May flowers.... I hope that they are all tucked into their warm, dry spaces on this rainy, rather cool day.  Tomorrow the sun will come out and dry up the puddles and once again all will be able to come and go as they please, doing what they need to do to thrive and survive.  But, for today, rest, relax and know we need both kinds of days - gray slower days that allow us to be lazy and bright sunny days that energize us.  

Stay safe little ones - see you out and about tomorrow.... 

 

MY NEWEST CRAFT - MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF ALL OF MY CRAFT MATERIALS.....

 

I have years' worth of parts and pieces of the many crafts that I have made and sold over approximately 40 years.... floral pieces (3 lg. bins), materials/fabrics (three tall industrial shelving units stuffed high and full), - and many totes with all of the material cut offs, two bins of glitter, paints of all kinds, glue, glue guns, brushes, markers & inks.  Many giant bags of poly stuffing, vintage magazines/sheets of old music for piano, buttons, pipe cleaners, tons of beads and all of the findings.... On and on.... I could probably open up as a craft shoppe.... I've got all of the bases covered.  BECAUSE, when you like to create, ideas just come to you either through (in my case - dreams and thoughts just as I wake up each morning) *my mind creates constantly* or from Pinterest and Facebook groups.  Also, a walk into a Craft Shoppe starts generating all kinds of ideas swirling in my already busy head.  Thrift shoppes are also a window to a million creative possibilities.  It never ends when you love to create. Everything I see is a possibility, an idea generator.  A walk in the woods is inspiration, music, reading, photography, etc. all start the creative process for me....to create.... I just need to continue creating - as long as I possibly can.

I'm creating and creating for me and also so that my children don't have to contend with my two full rooms of craft materials, two big closets and two smaller rooms, (all on the 2nd floor of our Victorian home which I only use - no husband's allowed unless I need his help with something). I'm going to do my best to create all kinds of useful and fun types of items to give away or keep for myself to enjoy.  I bought all of the stuff to make something or another and it is now that time....no more shuffling it all around, putting in bags, bins and moving from place to place - we are now living where we will live out our days, so, no more thinking, someday - the day is now.    

I am now retired and we are now in our forever home (we've moved many times - purchased, renovated and sold many homes).  But, this is it.  I love our Victorian Home - so much room for my craft stuff - and it's all out of the way - on the 2nd floor - me and my craft stuff floor.  So, no work excuses, etc. It's time to create all of the things I've thought about for so many years.  I have been creating for many years, sold many items and have made many items for friends/family even while I was working.   Now I have all of the time I want to create and write/blog....so, that's how I am going to spend my days....

So, Happy Crafting....Happy Writing....Happy Blogging to all that share my joy in these endeavors....

WE'VE BECOME ROCK HUNTERS/HOUNDS AND WE ARE ADDICTED.....

 

My husband and I live in the UP Michigan.  And, as Facebook does, you mention a word and then you get all kinds of groups, pictures, advertisements on your feed regarding anything possibly associated with that word.  Sometimes all of the information coming at you is great, and in our case it definitely was.

All kinds of pictures of the beautiful rock beaches around Lake Superior, rock hunter groups, pictures of amazing found rocks, rock cutting/polishing equipment...on and on...We're in....Traveled up to Grand Marais MI and stopped all along the way in Au Train, Munising. Christmas and then further to White Fish Point.  And then all of the way back through and onto Marquette.  We love living in the UP but after going to the northern most tip of the Up, we realized that Michigan has everything anyone could want all in one beautiful state.  

We spent a lot of time on the beaches of Grand Marais.  We met some of the nicest, most knowledgeable people who were so willing to share all of their experience and knowledge about anything to do with rock hunting.  We were newbies and they were patient with us as we asked questions, and they were even so kind as to share some of their finds with us. Who could ask for a more wonderful way to spend any day, walking along beautiful Lake Superior, on a sunny, not too hot, day, shifting and digging through and finding one beautiful rock after the other. 

We immediately wanted to move to the area so that we could spend every day out on the beaches looking for rocks.  But, after talking about it in the cabin rental that night, we decided we really were not up for moving again - we've moved and renovated many homes in the past 30 years.  So, we vowed to make at least three trips up to the area each year.  Hopefully bringing along our son and grandson so that they could also discover the joy of the find.

When we got home, we immediately ordered equipment to do the cutting and polishing of our finds.  We also set up a spot in the basement to house the rocks and the equipment so that this new hobby could be done during the long winters.  

We are hooked...what a great hobby and so fun to find out what all of these rocks are and how and when they were formed...endless learning and endless fun...Can't wait for our next trip further up north...

   

BIRD TELEVISION - THE OTHER CHANNEL WE LOVE TO WATCH....

 So, we have been looking into cable, internet, etc. and it is either not available out where we live or the cost is much more than we want to pay to sit on our butts and watch something that turns your brain to mush - except documentary's, history channel, shows like that.  Someone did tell us about a service available from the University of Northern Michigan - they send you the equipment and directions and you install it yourself - with a much lower monthly cost.  We are going to start checking into that. But, we are not in a giant hurry - it is still winter and we're really not missing television or the internet very much! We have phones - for an emergency - but that's about it.  And getting service is always 'iffy'.  We generally have to walk out onto the deck and move our head from side to side to even hear.  We deal with it to talk to our family every week.  But, if we need to make a call where we can have better service - we drive down to the end of our driveway and try there or drive further out onto the town road to get a clearer, stronger signal. 

The pictures that I am posting are from all seasons during the year - I just tried to pick out the best ones.  

The birds out here in the Northwoods are really something. In the winter, we see pretty much the same ones every day, but fall into winter showed us a variety of birds as they were gathering up to migrate - and winter into spring brought us a whole colorful show of birds returning to the area or passing through going further north.  

This mama Robin has a nest in our eaves, and we have left the nest untouched after her last clutch - it is in a protected area from rain and wind and close to our bird feeders- so hopefully she can return to lay more eggs and make more pretty Robins next spring. The only problem is that she doesn't understand that we are 'friends' as she dive bombs us when we walk in the area - her natural defense - we just cover our heads - they get close by have not hit us yet - just their natural protection of their little ones.  

This is a Flicker - the first one I have ever seen - it stopped and rested for a while by the pond.  It is called a Northern Flicker and is a member of the Woodpecker family.  

We have so many woodpeckers around.  We can hear them clearly rapping on so many dead trees in the woods.  The Piliated is the largest woodpecker and the loudest.  They have come to our feeder, but I was so excited seeing them and watching them, that I didn't go for my camera for a picture.  This is a male Hairy Woodpecker.  The look just like Downy Woodpeckers - they are just larger.  The females don't have a red spot on their head.  

Mr. BlueJay with his pretty little feathers fluffing out in the wind and showing so nicely in the bright sunshine.  He loves this basket - and is a daily visitor.  We put his favorites, peanuts and black sunflower seeds in the basket, and he is there grabbing foods many times per day.... It is hard to tell the difference between females and males.  Blue Jays are loud and aggressive towards smaller birds or really anyone that comes around them - so - this basket is theirs.  

These little Juncos...they are just always quietly around...they 'over-winter' in Michigan.  They are generally ground feeders, but will pick seeds out of flat feeders.  They roost in evergreens.  It is said that they have 30% more feathers in the winter than in the summer.  

We love our Mourning Doves.  They usually come to the feeders in a flock in the morning and in the afternoon.   They are basically ground feeders but will come up and into the feeders.  Love their gentle, soft sounds. 

Finches and a female Grossbeak.  There are Gold Finches and Purple Finches all together in the feeder.

This is a Nuthatch - they love suet and will hang however they need to get to the tasty treat.  They will hide seeds in crevices for a snack later.  

This is a Red Bellied Woodpecker.  They look a lot like a  Red headed Woodpecker - but they only have half a red head.  Despite their name they only have a tinge of red on their 'belly'. 

 

Birds will tolerate each other if they are on a large enough spot - for seed...

We put up Bird Houses and a Blue Bird decided to call this one its own.  

The Best Part of Winter - you can see their  beautiful colors so well against the white backdrop.  But some of the birds are prettier in the spring/summer - like the Gold Finches...

Although Female Cardinals are not bright red - their subtle colors are so soft and beautiful...

The Ruffed Grouse.  Such a great sighting.  They are usually in the underbrush - this one landed on our apple tree and gave me a few minutes to catch a picture.  When I first heard their 'drumming' - I thought someone - somewhere - was trying to start an engine. It starts out slow and works up to a much faster thumping sound and then stops.  It was our amazing Grouse doing what they do...drumming.  

We see Turkeys pretty much every day - males and females and their chicks.  The males make big thumping chest noises and puff up as large as they can to show dominance....

A beautiful Blue Indigo - so special because we don't get to see them that often.

And our sweet Chickadees - they are here year-round and at the feeders every day.

Gold Finches female and male - of course he's the bright one - moms need to be more subtle in color.

Our beautiful Orioles - they love oranges and grape jelly.

This is a beautiful Green Heron that landed near our pond - for a fish snack...

One of my favorites - a Rose Breasted Grossbeak - I love to see them every spring.  This is a male - the female of course has more subtle coloring...

We love to sit in our comfy chairs that can see right out to our feeders - we eat lunch right there, in hopes of spotting a new variety...and find comfort and joy in seeing our regulars.  They say that birds 'talk' to each other in the early evening - just making sure that everyone is okay and settled for the night.  So as the sun goes down and the birds aren't coming to the feeders - it's lovely to step outside and listen to them talking to each other and wishing each other a good night's rest.