Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Spring is in the Air

 Well, at least it was yesterday!!!!!  LOL
It changes daily.  Yesterday was gorgeous - and I worked outside until I could hardly move.  It was truly wonderful to be out and not needing a jacket.  Heck, yesterday afternoon, I even had flip-flops on!!
Temps the remainder of the week are to be more normal for this time of the year.  Highs in the 40's and 50's.  Got to enjoy those beautiful days when we can.

This happened from Sunday to Monday!  I have several bunches starting to bloom now.  Littles bits of sunshine!  I am always glad to see them, and find it fascinating that my first flowers of the year are always bright yellow jewels.  It just raises the spirits.

I thought I would like to show you some of the birds I see.  If I tried to capture a picture of each of them it would take forever - so I 'captured' some pics from on line!




Click on the pics to enlarge.
No hummingbirds yet - it will be May before they show.  But, they never disappoint.  

I do see all of these out my window!  I have an abundance of sparrow - all kinds of finches - nuthatches chickadees - and lots of Downey and Hairy woodpeckers.  I have a red bellied woodpecker that is so big and pretty.
This doesn't show the pigeons (ugh) - have those too.
The robins are plentiful now, a sure sign that spring is about here.
Blue jays and cardinals come early every morning and the cardinals serenade me every morning when I go out to feed Blackie.  They are out singing before the light of day. The cardinals are usually the last birds I see each day as well.  They feed early and late.
Crows and ravens come now and then and when they do - they come in mass!  The cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds are so pretty, and they are kind of like the robins for me.  They are a sign that warmer weather is near.
I have pairs and pairs of doves.  Love to hear them.


And my angel - she watches over all the yard.  The flowers beds have a lot of green popping up - but there is still so much brown.  Soon!!!!!!!
For all that are cold and in nasty weather - the promise of spring is such a wonder.  The re-birth of the land.  It will happen, it is promised, and it will be lovely.

Be patient and know that the world is slowly coming to life in different areas and at different times.  Kind of like people!  We are each awakened to our journey on earth at different times and through different experiences.

Have a wonderful day!

33 comments:

  1. I am very jealous of your warm weather. All I have is snow, snow, snow.

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    1. So sorry. SOON!!!!!!! You will get spring soon!

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    2. I hear you, Ellen. Hang in there! --Elise

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  2. We bought a new bird feeder Saturday and put it a bit closer to the patio so Binx could watch from inside. He spent hours watching them from the sliding glass door. He really keeps an eye on squirrels. It is so cute. Spring is coming!!

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    1. How cute! Our babies do get excited when they see nature.
      Yep, it won't be long.

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  3. We have been very blessed with decent weather this winter. I'm glad that we didn't have to dig the snow blower out of the shed. The daffies are blooming and a few crocus. I noticed that the climbing rose by my desk is budding out. Still lots of winter cleanup but we have had nice days to work outside.

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    1. It was glorious to work outside. Much needed sunshine, fresh air and exercise.
      Yes, we have been so lucky here. Thankful

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  4. Your daffodils are gorgeous, Cheryl! So glad you were able to spend some time in the yard, though I'm sure you're a little stiff and sore today. It will soon be worth it!

    Yes, now is the time to think about yards and gardens and plans for this growing season. Hubs and I were talking about those plans this morning, and the projects he's lining up for himself this spring. At this point we're just glad for clear weather + that most of the acre has dried out. The back 1/2 acre is evergreen trees and natural grasses. Thus our shift in plans to add grass to the front 1/2 acre over the septic field. He'll finish his paver walkway, take out two trees near the solar panels, finish rocking in the back along the house, add some French drains where we've had a lot of water run off, create a few walking paths (to keep Blue out of the mud), etc.

    I may do some raised bed gardening of veggies this year; that's still a question mark, as I need to schedule foot surgery (that I've been putting off). It's not the surgery itself that I'm afraid of. It's the recovery. All through my life I've had trouble healing, and have plenty of scars to prove it. There'll also be 6 weeks of no weight bearing on the foot. Both feet actually need the surgery, according to the x-rays, but we'll start with one and see how it goes. Anyway, produce growing may have to wait another year.

    Speaking of produce, my oldest son sent me a BBC video about the food--especially produce--shortages in the U.K. I imagine there will be many more home garden growing this year. Praying for all of you in the U.K.!! And a quick question; I've grown apple trees from seed before, but was never in one place long enough to see them bear fruit. I've saved apple seeds since moving in last summer. Should I give it a try? Or just toss them? --Elise

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    1. Sounds like you have many big plans - or at least your hubby does! He will be a busy man. It will sure look good when all done.
      Maybe you can have some boxes up by the house that can home lettuce, or carrots or other smaller items (salad stuff) that maybe you could reach being in a wheel chair or by using one of those walking stools. Have you seen those? One foot is up (bent at knee) and it is on rollers and allows you to walk with weight at all on the foot. Maybe you can do something small - it would sure help out!
      I hope you can get the surgery and have a good recovery.
      I have heard about the UK as well. So much I have seen is about fresh produce. Not much seasonal growing at this time. Hoping it improves.
      Why not plant the seeds? It is worth a try!

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  5. I'm pretty certain I saw my first Junco in the backyard the other day - that's a definite sign that spring is on the way. They actually migrate through here to spend the summer months further north so don't stick around very long.
    We're expecting more snow this week but not a lot, but temps are still a bit cool. I'm looking forward to the days when we get some melting. My street is an ice skating rink at the moment.
    Enjoy the bird watching!

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    1. Snow is one thing - ice is a different horse for sure. I hate ice!
      Well I hope you saw what you think you saw and that things are about to change. You deserve a little warmer weather! You have had a cold winter!

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  6. This weather has been absoutely crazy, hasn't it? We were mid-50s yesterday, significantly lower today, and show showers by the weekend, barely breaking 35. My hyacinths are up about 2 inches and starting to show their buds. Other garden plants are starting to show some green, but I'm hoping they don't bud out too much more. Robins and red-wing blackbirds have returned; the mourning doves never left (and I wish they were gone from under my deck). They are such a mess!

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    1. Yes it is crazy. We were 70's yesterday and beautiful. Today is sunny and breezy but 45. Feels cold out there. By Friday more rain - it has been happening every Friday!
      My plants made it through some really cold nights - I hope your do too. I noticed a couple flowers on the forsythia today. Yesh, I have tons of doves (my neighbor hates them as they roost in his trees). They never left here either.
      Same as here - once you see the robins and red wings - it will be getting warmer.
      However we have 20's and 30's at nights rest of week!!

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  7. I wish I had flowers popping up but I don't have that kind of garden anymore. I have to wait for my pots!

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    1. It does make the world seem a little brighter. I just love the first signs of spring. Those pots will be great when the time comes!

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  8. Debby in Kansas USAMarch 7, 2023 at 2:19 PM

    Cheryl, it looks like 75% of your state's birds hang out in Kansas, as well! We also get purple martins, brown thrashers, and red tailed Hawks. I can't remember if I saw those on your picture or not. The beautiful Cooper's hawk was the one that spent the morning in my bird bath last fall!

    I haven't seen any baby squirrel or rabbits yet. I know the squirrels are just a matter of time as they were quite randy over winter lol. I have to be careful to check before I let puppers out. Their parents know that a big hairy beast lives here, but the babies haven't learned. And Puppers does love a good chase.

    I can't believe that we're farther south and west and our daffodils are still only 6" of green and you have those beautiful blooms! I'd cut a few and bring them inside in case it freezes. One year I cut about 50 and gave jars of them to my neighbors. An ice storm was expected and I couldn't bear to see them wiped out. The tulips never did bloom that year.

    It's cold again. Hmph. Wind from the north.

    I'm almost done cleaning out the office closet! Yahoo!!!

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    1. We have martins - just not here at my place. I think the hawks are pretty - but I am not a fan.
      I see smaller squirrels - but they sure don't seem like babies. Yep, they have spent a lot of time getting frisky!!!! No b aby rabbits yet to be seen. I see a couple bigger ones a lot.
      I love cutting daffodils - I will this week. They actually smell pretty too!
      YAY on the cleaning

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  9. Oh warm weather would be just lovely. We have more snow on the way.

    God bless.

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    1. :( - sad face for you! Hopefully soon, you will get that big break and start having warmer weather.

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  10. Doves do sound lovely, it’s such a comforting sound. I have had to bring in all my bird feeders due to rats. My neighbour had his house and yard cleaned up and of course all the homeless rats moved over to my property. It’s a pain ( and a costly one at that) but hopefully most of them have been eradicated or moved on, and then the feeders can go back out. Louise

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    1. Oh my goodness - that would be awful. I have seen mice - but never rats. YIKES! Hopefully they have all been 'removed' to greater places - if you know what I mean!! I would be sad if I couldn't feed the birds. Good luck!

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    2. Cheryl between you and I let’s hope there are such a thing as rat angels, but I doubt it. After months of asking for a clean up it finally happened, so I can’t complain about the rats. I knew they were there because I could see them, and really it’s only to be expected that they would move to my place for shelter. It was sad to have to fish them out of my swimming pool though after they had eaten baits laid by the exterminator. Definitely a case of being careful what you pray for.

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    3. Oh my goodness. I do understand messy neighbors!!!! My outdoor kitties were mousing a lot, after the kids next door moved. They just stacked tons of trash and stuff outside and it had mice and God knows what else! So I understand.
      How awful that they fell in the pool!

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  11. Doves, that is so peaceful. I love birds too, I especially have a special fondness for cardinals. Once there was a bright yellow bird and a bright red cardinal singing their hearts out at my window...

    The angel is so pretty, I love things like that.

    I was thinking about our country here...We wonder as a nation so many times what happened and then I see a wonderful person like you posting precious prayers and verses and I would think you would receive great encouragement.

    Have a sweet evening, may we hold our country up in prayer. : ) Bless you, Cheryl!

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    1. Doves do make the prettiest soothing sound. I love hearing the birds. So many songs.
      I pray for our country and our people (and the world) every single day - multiple times. We all NEED to! I think that will be what saves us all.
      You are very kind - just doing what I believe I am led to do.

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    2. You are doing the right thing, it's the only answer so many are looking for and do not even realize it. : )

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  12. Our office has moved and although I hate the building and the journey I did see a group of deer on Saturday night! They were so close, only about 12 feet away and I had no idea roe deer were so tiny. It was a real privilege to see.
    I haven't been in a supermarket in weeks so I have no idea how bad the veg situation is. I can always grow some microgreens or sprout some seeds if I need to, I certainly ain't paying ridiculous prices.

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    1. How sweet. I love deer. They are so pretty. How neat to be so close up.
      Thank you!!! I think if more people decided to stop paying the exorbitant prices on some things - prices may come down. I know they keep calling shortages - but I am not sure I totally believe them. I think it is control and greed - just my opinion. Yes, we can all grow something that will 'replace' some other things - we can do sprouts and microgreens in the kitchen! I love your make so attitude.

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  13. Great post Cheryl! Spring is my favorite time of year. We're having crazy weather in AZ too. Had a little snow last week and this weekend it will be 85 degrees! Loved the pics of all the birds too! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks! It is a definite mixed up year! Old mother nature just can't make up her mind!!!!! LOL Enjoy the warm.
      Have a good one.

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  14. It was 80 here today and yesterday. I am claiming Spring. The angel is precious and the iron seat.

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    1. I would too! I am so ready for steady warmer temperatures. Thank you!

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