Works Every Time

The sky this weekend was a little gray...but last

Thursday morning's sky was blue with clouds that

looked like pieces of fluffy pink cotton.

It was about 7:00am...sun not quite up...but

you could tell we were in for a sunny day.

.

Within minutes the sun was sending warm rays...

down through the branches of the bare trees...

creating ribbons of light in the field.

.

The nest box in the field was made
by our grandson Grant...
We've been keeping our distance...
hoping the Bluebirds would call it home...
...success.....it now holds 5 Bluebird eggs.




For now...here's a photo of the male Bluebird sitting
on the fence.....

-most photos enlarge-


Speaking of eggs...these plastic ones had to come down...
with help from Alivia...but before they did...




a Chickadee helped himself to some fibers from the
yarn...then flew over to a bird house a few feet away...
to line his nest.




Alivia always finds something to do...if only smelling the flowers...




but I have to be on my toes and think of things to do...
because not everything she thinks up is good
...for Gramma!
Here she wanted to lock me in the dog pen...I cooperated
a few minutes...but quickly suggested we bake a cake!




"Works every time!"

This is a 'Coffee Cup Cake' I found on Jennifer's Blog.

I thought Alivia might enjoy fixing it!

Alivia stirring an egg...


...adding some milk and oil...

...stirring in the flour, sugar, and cocoa...

...pouring it into 'coffee cups' !!!




After baking in the microwave...

Alivia poured melted icing over the top...




Alivia had already set up her tea party table...

it's a routine....she does it all..."works every time."




Afterwards...it's usually back outside...

Here she thinks she may possibly catch a bird

at the feeder.

.

Here I captured a Red-bellied Woodpecker...

with my camera...



Then I noticed he had a visitor...can you see?...
Make it easier.....enlarge the photo by clicking on it!



Then I caught three with the camera...in just the next moment!




Sometimes I just sit on my front porch with a camera...

...ready and waiting...for things to appear...

"Works every time!"

First there were two...

...and then...

there were three!

I went out to get closer photos...

on the way back I saw this sparrow with a moth...

the moth actually got away and flew off!

While in the area I took photos of the "Spring Beauties"

They are small wild flowers...

that attract bees...

-enlarge-

and are very very very plentiful!

I'll leave you with "Beauty and the Beast"...

Beauty = Double Daffodil !

...and...


The Beast = ???

Some type of fungus...I have yet to look up!!!

If you know what it is.....let me know!!!
~

After doing some research....it's a Brown Cup Mushroom!

Make the Day Better

Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, was a little hazy!

We were out early to do some yard work.

"Herhusband" managed to rake the drive with the tractor...

"Herhusband" is my husband!"

and I managed to rake some leaves...and

we both managed to place them in the trailer

and Herhusband hauled them to a compost pile.

.
By the afternoon the haze faded and some things


were looking a little greener...


like the grass in the field by the barn...

and the tree in which this Tufted Titmouse sat...

as he watched me ! Can you see him?
.

Our lunch had a little extra green in it too yesterday!
.

This morning however...started differently with a beautiful

"Golden Sunrise"
.

What could possibly make the day better?
.
Maybe...a clear blue sky with
.
wispy...feathery...white clouds... .

that were changing as fast as I could

snap the camera!

Maybe...the day could be made better...


with the yellow gold...


of the blooming daffodils...

.

you can see here very close up!

click most photos to enlarge


Maybe...these Canadian Geese in the bright blue sky

.

above these golden lit trees would make the day better...
.

But...what would really make my day "better".....

...is what I have been watching for.....

...the Bluebirds to return!

.
As you can see they did...and my day did get.....better!
click photos to enlarge



A Hazy Bluebird!!!
.

Bluebird Watch

The snow has melted, the sun is shinning

and I have Bluebirds on my mind.

On our property we have 5 bird houses that have been

home to a few Bluebird families in the past.

In February 2007, the Bluebirds returned a little too early and

we discovered two males huddled and frozen in one house.

Last year the Bluebirds failed to return here so

most of the houses were occupied by Carolina Wrens.

The wrens would often perch on this basket and sing .

Here's young wrens exploring the back porch-

a very young one alone on a tree-

and a young one hiding out under a shady bench.

Although Carolina Wrens are my favorite, with

their perky tail and beautiful song-

I would love to see Bluebirds here again.

So - I'm on a "Bluebird Watch" - starting today.

I would like to have the opportunity to take better photos of them !!!