My Everything Corner

American Avocet Spotted Sandpiper Moon on the evening of July 4th. Spreading Dogbane Anenome Female Red-Winged Blackbird It's not the greatest photo, but I finally got a shot of the baby  American Avocet. Such fancy plumage. A Wilson's Snipe- I think...

My daughter and I were out exploring and enjoying all the life that has returned to the area. The "pond" as we call it, is teeming with life. We spent some time just observing and entertaining ourselves by watching all the different birds. The little black and white ducks are called Buffleheads. We cracked up when we read that. As if ducks weren't goofy enough, someone had to give them a goofy name. Part of the description in our bird book said "tiny, chunky ducks." Again we had to chuckle. The photo of the three swimming is cutest - look at the center one. Chunky definitely describes that one, and I think they should be called "Blurbs." You can't tell by the photos, but these ducks are very small when compared to the mallards swimming nearby.  The last shot is of an American Avocet. They are not shy and are very easy to photograph.

I'm so glad to be nearing the end of February. Spring is so close, I can almost taste it! It's time to order seeds and get some babies started under those grow lights.   We've been making the most of the cold months in our home this year. We painted and upgraded the trim in the basement and then promptly attacked the upstairs which is currently in chaos.  Up there we are doing new paint, flooring, trim and a countertop.  It's all going to look very fresh for Easter and Spring. Also, we are planning a two week road/tenting trip to the Yukon. We plan to go in July and I can hardly wait to visit the North again. I've been visiting my feeders nearly daily all winter and those little chickadees are becoming quite tame. One even landed in the pail of seed I was still carrying.  The photo was taken with my phone and I was less than a foot away! The amaryllis is full bloom. It's an out of place beauty upstairs where everything is turned upside-down. ...

For those of us connected on Instagram, this will be a repeat performance in photos. How is December treating you thus far?  As per our family's tradition, we all get colds to varying degrees.  But so far, the illness has been mild as has the weather and so December has been mostly quite joyful.  After my daughter's 16th birthday this past weekend, I put the tree up and have worked my way through wrapping quite a few gifts, a job that continues today, along with decorating the rest of the house.  Then the baking begins. Now there, in the baking department, I must file a complaint. Why have the mint chocolate chips disappeared off the shelf?  I have a recipe of whipped shortbread with mint chips that we simply cannot live without! I haven't attempted it yet, but I intend to make my own.  If you have any experience at all in the art of making flavoured chocolate chips, please share your knowledge.  I would be most grateful. Besides the shortbrea...

Our devoted Mama bird is back!  How do I know it's the same bird? It's quite obvious she knows us as she is practically tame when are close, sometimes very close. We can't touch her, and wouldn't try, but we can sit within a few feet of her and have a pleasant little chat.  I like to think we are making her very difficult job of sitting there all day a little more interesting with our visits.  She has four precious eggs and we doing everything in our power to keep them safe.  We are so excited for hatching day!  Please send some good luck wishes her way...and have a great rest of your week.

It seems that our Spring has finally arrived.  I have plants coming up in the garden, more on that later, and I have spent a day or two outside in just a t-shirt (pants too, course).  My son and I went on a picnic this past weekend and got our first mosquito bite as well a bunch of wood ticks. I'll spare you those photos, but neighbors beware -they are back and they are plentiful! My dog loves to get his belly wet, and has been spending quite a bit of time in our temporary pond.  I'm afraid it is not going to be there for long though as we are far dryer than normal for this time of year. It is so wonderful to have all the songbirds back giving life to the outdoors again. Too bad about that twig obscuring her face, but otherwise a cute shot. A warm dog is a sleepy dog. Loving all the geese action!

July is flying by so fast, it is making me dizzy! I've been having fun learning about my new camera and enjoying Instagram a whole bunch. I like that I can use it from my phone which I almost always have on me and that it is super quick. Mostly though, I've been enjoying the weather, my gardens and having my kids at home. They're older now, and mostly prefer to do their own thing, but I love "dropping in" now and then to see what they're up to and just having their happy voices fill up our home makes me lighthearted. I do hope you're all having a fabulous July! Here are some photos, mostly from my morning walk with my dog. An America Coot in its nest. I get a kick out of these guys and the noises they make. A lovely pair I passed on my morning walk. Seemed like a sad little birdie. My black kitty Sooty, getting some love from Georgia. This is one of those shots I thought I didn't get. It's my current favourite and I wil...