First gardening day of spring

Oh my goodness, it was a gorgeous day today. The outdoor temperature rose to about 76F; there was a light breeze, and it was sunshiny and bright. I donned my shorts and short-sleeved shirt and dug, dug, dug, dug, dug in the dirt! I planted a new azalea, one of those that could get to be 6' across and '6 high, if in the right conditions. It is a "red" one, although the flower is actually a deep coral color. It really brightens up the area behind the bird feeder. Because it is going to be in a bit of shade, I don't hold hope that it will get too big, which is fine with me.

I then planted about half of the mini-gladiolus, and ran out of potting soil. I'll plant the rest of them tomorrow (on top of, and in front of the main stump, and in front of the secondary stump.) I kind of lost the label for the red ones, so I have no idea which bulbs they are because I put them in the same tray to overwinter in the basement with a different color (but I forgot which tray I put them in)...so "Surprise!" to me when they bloom...Ha!

Then, I fertilized all the azalea plants (which are all in different stages of flowering), the rhododendron, and the blueberry plants. I need to deadhead the daffodils, but will have to do that next weekend.

We'll have to make another trip back to The Home Depot tomorrow;-) I also forgot to buy cucumber seeds and zucchini seeds, and will get them as well. Oh yes, and maybe we'll get another City Pickers Patio Garden Kit, like we got last year. I would like to use the new one for the cukes and maybe a few tomato plants. I will set it on the deck and Drew will double the height of the cage around it so the cukes have lots of space to climb. The other Garden Kit will be used for my lettuce, spinach and arugula...Yummmmmyyyyy.....

I'll try to take a few photos tomorrow, if I have time. Geez, I haven't held the camera in my hands much lately, and the last time I did, it was with the video camera out on the pond, but I haven't had time to process any video, due to too much school work. Dang, I need a 3 day weekend so that I can get everything done that needs doing, and still have time to play. Although, I consider gardening and photography playing;-) But, I can never get enough of it!

Aaaaahhhhhh Chooooo......Pollen is flying!

Whoo! Aaaaacccccchhhhhoooo! The tree pollen levels (birch and maple especially...and maybe willow...) are high at the moment.

Baltimore Oriole and Catbird sightings near bird feeders

Yesterday, Drew put grape jelly out in a feeding dish and hung it from the hummingbird feeder pole. I saw a Baltimore Oriole fly toward the feeders this morning, but it then got spooked and flew elsewhere. At least we know they have arrived. I quickly changed lenses out on the camera, but was too late for any photos.

And, the catbirds have arrived as well. I saw one taking a bath this morning. I'll get photos soon.

This week's weather

It will be a cool week with even a few more nights reaching down into the 30's again. But, there is no snow in the forecast for us, just for the higher elevations. Whew!

First Hummingbird of the season

I didn't get a photo of it before it flew away, but Drew saw the first hummer of the season at one of our feeders!

This week's weather

Gee...every time I think we'll have warmer nights, we drop back down into the 30's. UGH! At least the daytime highs are rising, although I have to work late after school on the warmest days. Double UGH! I'd rather be boating... I have to remind myself that I'll have several weeks free this summer for pleasurable activities.

Cloudy, cold and sad day

I am not having the best of days. It is cloudy, cold, and damp out. And, I am having a difficult time finding just the right way to honor my sister, as this is the one year anniversary of her death. 

Lilac buds

Last year, our lilac bush bloomed for the first time ever on this sad day, and it brightened my spirits upon arrival home several days later. This year, the cold weather has delayed the bloom. But, the flower buds are such a pretty, deep purple and the anticipation of their opening is exciting...

Trout Lily

I wandered around the yard looking for other flowers to cheer my soul. The trout lilies are in full bloom and are absolute lovely. I spent a few moments admiring their yellow beauty. They are like a ray of sunshine on this dreary day.

Daffodil

And, there are some daffodils that have survived the hard frost and snow. They do wonders for bringing light into my heart as they are some of my favorite, hardy and dependable garden flowers.

Bleeding Heart

And, last but not least, are the bleeding hearts. They are usually in full bloom by now, but this year the flowers are still forming. I love their deep red beauty and delicate structure no matter what phase of flowering they are in.

To sister, Jane, I salute you! You were always the brightest ray of sunshine to penetrate my being as we traversed our sisterly life together. Your soul radiated the beauty of all the flowers on Earth bundled together. I miss you dearly...

Below freezing temp and ice on pond

The wind has died down, and with the morning temperature hovering at 27F, there is a thin film of ice on the south side of Caesar Pond. I am officially in the mood for temps. in the mid-60's, but that is at least 10 days away...And, we've got another couple of mornings, coming up, in the 20's as well.

Birds and flowers on a snowy day

Our poor springtime flowers. The alternating super cold nights and warm days wreaked havoc on the spring bulbs. I have had very few daffodils actually hold their flower stalks upright, and a vole has demolished lots of the bulbs in my main stump garden. Thus, it has been a very disappointing flower season. I was hoping that the later blooming daffodils would brighten the yard with strong stems, and that looked to be the case yesterday, but it all changed today. And, we are supposed to get temperatures dipping into the 20's overnight, so I don't hold much hope for my early spring bulbs anymore...

A group of gregarious grackles chowed down on bird seed today.

Drew took some time to shoot a few photos of birds visiting our bird feeder and bird bath! I actually had him set up the hummingbird feeder today, as well.

The grackles were cantankerous as usual. I love the splayed out tail of this bird. It is so pretty.

This grackle was searching for seeds that fell into the snow.

Drew also saw a few sparrows who flew in after the grackles.

White-throated sparrow, adult white striped individual.

This white-throated sparrow really shows off the beautiful, yellow lores between its beak and eyes. There are several different color patterns displayed by these sparrows.

White-throated sparrow, adult tan-striped individual.

This individual is more of a tan-striped individual. The yellow lores are not as prominent, and the head stripes are more tan than white. It's breast is more gray in color as well.

Snow Total for the 2015-2016 Winter

Snow Total: 50.5" of snow fell this season. At least I think we are done;-) This El Nino year brings us lots of surprises!