Tulip Tree

For as long as we have lived here,

we have had Tulip Trees growing along the top of the ridge

behind our home.

However, it wasn't till several years ago

when we remodeled our kitchen  and had a better view

of the higher parts of the trees that we discovered

our Tulip Trees did actually bloom.

I guess we weren't looking up.

Tonight as we we were eating our supper

was the first time I saw them blooming this year.

The blossoms are fairly good sized;

but they blend in so well with the leaves,

they are very easy to miss.

The Tulip Tree is Indiana's state tree;

and while we have really hard clay soil here,

they seem to grow well.

Something a Little Lovey Dovey

A Couple of Sweethearts have been Visiting my Deck.

The Mourning Doves generally prefer to look for food on the ground,

but lately this couple has been getting brave

and checking out what the other birds

have left behind on the deck.

I was watering flowers today

and saw this spot of color flutter out of them.

Such fragile, irridescent beauty!

I think it is a Damselfly.

Of course, the following visitor

sometimes wears out its welcome.

So far this year the squirrels have

been better behaved than last year.

So far.....

Guests for Dinner

One evening about a month ago my husband and I were carrying our plates to sit down at our kitchen table, and this was what we saw:

I immediately said to Jack, "Take my plate and don't move."

This trio of Baltimore Orioles were originally

attracked to my Hummingbird feeder.

Before sitting down to eat, I quickly cut apart some oranges

and placed some on both of our decks.

For the next couple of weeks I could see them

eating out of two different windows.

In previous years I was lucky if I saw them on two days.

Such beautiful birds!  

However, some of my local birds and some visitors

were not at all impressed.

 

Taking turns didn't

seem to be in the

Oriole's vocabulary.

Even a few harsh words didn't help.

Finally the Rose-Breasted Grosebeak got a little creative.

And they ended the day as Friends!

Hope the Orioles come back next year...and bring their wives along.

Headache or Bad Hair Day?

"Could this be a headache

or has the thought of becoming a father

feaked me out?"

"Maybe it's just a "'bad hair' day."

"Hey look....I can hang upside down just like the Woodpeckers!"

It's Time to Build my Nest

In the branches of an old lilac bush that once belonged to my grandmother

hangs a little wrenhouse.  Every year some wren family builds a nest in it.

A couple of mornings ago I heard a very familiar song.

And there she was singing her heart out on some of the old bare branches.

However, there was much work to be done.

Just how can she get this big stick into that little hole?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

She finally got it in

 



So now she can sit and sing for Joy!