PEONIES, IRIS AND ONIONS !!!!

May 17, 2017

The peonies, iris and my new favorite onion – the ornamental  Allium Pink Jewel are all in bloom at the Missouri Botanical Gardens!

The onions are  not edible – just in case you wondered.

Peony

Peony

Iris

Iris

Iris

Last of the Azaleas

I am guessing these are chrysanthemums ?

ornamental onions

as it buds out

Allium Pink Jewel

Lots of bees!!!!

Who ever thought an onion  plant could be so beautiful?

Mountain Laurel bush

Mountain Laurel bush

Bird of the day – I found a  fountain I have never seen before hidden near the ornamental onions!

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

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MORE BACKYARD BIRDER SURPRISES

White Crowned Sparrow

May 11, 2017

The newest of my  backyard  feathered  visitors are  the White Crowned Sparrow.  They  are  usually a ground feeder, but after foraging at the bottom of my feeders,  they have  caught on that the food supply is more plentiful  at  a higher altitude.   I have counted as many as 7 at one time feasting and perching about the yard.

The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak ( male)  is  still a daily  visitor, along with his female counterpart………

The female grosbeak.

Lucky shot to  have caught  her during take off.

This robin fledgling was perched on my patio chair and chirping loudly for mom or dad to bring food.

In the clearing after a rain shower, this tufted titmouse came in for a moment of rest and seed.

The Downey Woodpeckers  frequently  quench their thirst  with hummingbird nectar.

Not sure who this little disheveled fellow is but he sure won my heart.

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading!

 

TOUCH OF SPRING 2017 – MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS

As winter changes to spring….

May 7, 2017

Here is a glimpse of  the beginning of spring at the Missouri Botanical Gardens  from this past April…

 

Hope you enjoyed!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

WREN- TERTAINMENT 2017

House Wren

May 6, 2017

A house wren  has  brought me  days of entertainment  this spring by his  endless  activity  and  joyous song as he  searches for a  mate.   The male  begins the nest building,  sometimes in several places and the female picks which one she likes.   Sadly, I don’t think they  found suitable housing in my yard but the  breeding season is still  young and hope is never ending.

Singing for his mate

Remodeling of potential  nesting sight.

More singing

On the lookout

Followed by more singing.

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

MY NEWEST VISITOR – A ROSE CRESTED GROSBEAK

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

The  newest visitor to my own backyard – a  male rose-crested grosbeak !   I first spotted  him yesterday late afternoon and since then,  he has made  numerous  lingering trips to my black-oiled sunflower seed feeder.   Reading a bit more about my visitor,  I learned he is in the cardinal family,  generally spends his winters in South America but spends his summer breeding season in the north eastern half of the USA, of which, St. Louis, Missouri is at the bottom tip.   The female is  brownish  in color, so I will have to keep an optimist  watch for her visits. 

 

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading!!

 

 

 

 

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