Early Spring Walk-About

Hello, Sweet Friends! 

Wow, it is April already! I just love April........

Birds singing, trees budding, daffodils.....

It is staying light until almost 8 p.m., now. 

We had record-breaking rainfall in February and March, 

here in Western Washington State. 

A whopping 15.56 inches! 

I guess I don't feel so guilty for not 

getting out into the gardens until now :) 

We have seen very little of our beautiful Mt. Rainier, 

but this morning it peeped out between cloud banks

ever so shyly. 

You can see the wild plum tree blooming on the left. 

I know it is officially spring when the wild plum blooms.
You can see the scattered blossoms of the beautifully scented,
white viburnum on the right. 

We've had a few sunny days here and there, 

so I have taken advantage of the break in the rain

to get a few things done in the gardens. 

I've wanted to clip the hydrangea blooms forever......

I was head high in the papery blooms, clipping away

for nearly 3 hours, listening to the rustling and the songs

of the birds. 

Much better......you can see the new leaves. 

Now they look rather like my hair in the morning :)

Here is the pile I left for my Ramblin' Man. 

We are a true team - I make the messes outside
 and he cleans them up. 

He makes the messes inside and I clean them up. 

xoxo

Tarps are great for dragging big piles of garden refuse to 

the compost pile. 

Now that THAT is done, let's take a little walk-about! 

Whitey Bear, Kai and Weenie Baby lead the way. 

Weenie Baby did have a sweater on, but she undressed herself. 

She's absolutely shameless. 

It's hard to climb trees when you are hindered by 

clothing :)

She thinks she sees a squirrel up there. 

Whitey Bear is mean-mugging the neighbor dog. 

They get right up close to each other and then 

erupt in a very heated argument about 'boundaries'. 

I am grateful for the fence! 

The neighbor's horses think they are ridiculous. 

They are enjoying this rare sunshine.

Meanwhile, I am looking for wildflowers. 

I've found some trillium! 

My children called them 'Easter lilies' 

because they always bloomed near Easter. 

They were forbidden to pick these rare 

woodland beauties, but always took me 

by the hand to show me where they grew. 

Kai is king of the hill. 

The seasonal stream that runs through the property
has been running steady. 

Pendant blossoms of Oso Berry or 'Indian Plum', 

are a favorite early nectar source for hummingbirds.

The blossoms give way to tiny plum-like fruits
in early summer - a favorite of the birds.  

Hellebore blooming by the bench. 

The first daffodils. 

A beautiful Steller's Jay under the wild plum blossoms. 

These are large Jays - 11 inches - and year round residents 

that mate for life.

They have been scarce the last couple of years
due to a pair of crows that have nested here
for several springs, but this year I haven't seen the crows,
so the Jays are back. The crows raid the nests :(
I am glad to have the Jays back. 

The wild Band-Tailed Pigeons are also back this year. 

These are large birds - 14 inches - the size of a small chicken. 

They are also year-round residents, but very nomadic,
 moving around in search of food. 

Can you see the chipmunk?

They always return here in early spring for nesting,
except when the crows were here. 

It is wonderful to hear their coos, along with

the calls of the mourning doves, 

while I am outside working in the gardens. 

They are very nervous birds and any movement causes 

them to take flight in a great flapping of wings. 

I took these photos with a zoom lens from very far away. 

My camellia by the gate is starting to bloom, too.

xoo 

It's been a long day and it's time to go inside. 

One last look at the beautiful wild plum tree 

as the sun starts to set.

Thank you for coming along with me, 

dear friends! 

I hope you enjoyed our stroll in the early spring sunshine! 

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Viewing Nature with Eileen - Saturday's Critters

Floral Passions - Floral Bliss

Won't you join the fun?

oxo