New Backyard Design ~ Jim's Handi-work

Over the previous few days I've been posting

cut-down, clean-up, rebuild photos

just leading up to being able to show

these photos of the changes in our little world.

Just to the left of this path the ground

is greening up from the rye grass we planted.

We shall add some wildflower seeds to this area

and hope to have a profusion of color in spring.

The grass is pretty well trod down here

but hopefully once we finish working in

the backyard it will green up.

Jim has been designing and building

pathways and small patios on

the various levels out back.

He built a small patio in front of

my potting shed and today added

another patio near the bird feeder.

(I'll have photos of that in a few days.)

Isidro built the retaining wall out of treated lumber.

It runs across the back of the yard 

and a ways down the north side of the house.

The pathway is bordered with white rock

and laid with medium sized gravel.

Above are the remains of the stand of 5 trees

that were on the property line.

Two of the trees were twins and one stood alone.

We decided to leave the stumps to use as a

"table" to feed the birds and other critters.

The large fig tree has been trimmed

and is showing new growth. 

It should be lovely in spring.

The birds love this area where they can

get food and water.

This photo is the southeast of our property.

Almost all the trees have been removed.

On Arbor Day I got 10 little trees and planted

them around the area and the G-man

bought 4 larger trees & planted.

We have 2 Bradford pear trees, one Ash,

and one Oak.

It's difficult to point them out.

Two Bradford pears to the right.

In the middle of thi photo is a scorched

Yaupon tree.

We are leaving it and a couple more

to see if they'll show signs of life in spring.

Right now it isn't looking promising for new growth.

One of our neighbors has parked his RV

in the driveway of the burned-out property

of the neighbor between us.

It may be temporary, but I'm not sure.

We'll see what happens.

My little potting and tool shed.

Cute.. and is part of the new landscape.
When all in back is finished we'll move to the front
and then the north side of the house.
I envision the south side property to be
covered in native grasses and wildflowers
come spring.

Changing Writing Spaces

It seems I have lost my inspiration to write. Normally I have my laptop set up in a quiet little nook in my little room, but today I decided to move it in front of a double window that reaches almost from ceiling to floor. This way I can look out into our green backyard and watch the birds, squirrels, and occasional rabbit. I think it helps with the "creative process" and I don't feel so closed in.
In our yard I have 3 areas set up where the birds & other animals can get water and splash around. Just a few minutes ago a squirrel was getting water at the "watering hole" in the photo below. Then a Blue Jay flew onto the Shepard's Hook on his way to have a snack. Now I can see cardinals flitting around one of the feeders in the distance.

Just the other day Blue Jay dove into one of the containers filled with water, splashed around, jumped out then back in, and finally had a sip of water before hopping down the wooden retaining wall & into the shrubs. It is so fun to watch. This morning an adult woodpecker was getting seeds and carrying them to the little fledgling who was perched on the trunk of the pine tree. And very early, before the woodpeckers arrived, a large rabbit munched on our abundant grass (which needs mowing & edges need clipping AGAIN).

Yes, I'm happy sitting here watching the wildlife pass through this little piece of heaven that we call our backyard. I was about to get rid of the chairs in the distance because they have rusted and the legs are no longer the same length, but they have become a perch for cardinals, wrens, and sparrows, so I suspect the chairs will remain where they are for a while. The activity in the yard is truly amazing. Oh look, a cardinal is chasing a grasshopper... he almost caught it, but it managed to flit away.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Everyone loves to watch birds
even if it is just in your own backyard.
Well, we're in luck
'cause on February 12 through February 15
everyone can help with the bird count!

This year Audubon and the Cornell Lab
welcome Bird Studies Canada
as the first international partner
for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

As you know the G-man & I
are always watching the birds
in our own backyard
so this is right up our alley!

Join us in Counting Birds!
I'll run a post of the birds
we see in our backyard.
Why don't you join in
and post what you have seen
on those dates?

I'll check with all who would like to participate
and list your birds and your blog
for all to see.

Happy birding!!!

Red-breasted Robins and Cedar Waxwings Came Visiting!

Today the beautiful Red-breasted Robins and Cedar Waxwings
came to our Yaupon tree to eat berries.
Is this an indication that spring is near?


The Robin is the One
Emily Dickenson

The Robin is the One
That interrupt the Morn
With hurried -- few -- express Reports
When March is scarcely on --

The Robin is the One
That overflow the Noon
With her cherubic quantity --
An April but begun --


The Robin is the One
That speechless from her Nest
Submit that Home -- and Certainty
And Sanctity, are best

**********************************************

Waxwings
Robert Francis

Four Tao philosophers as cedar waxwings
chat on a February berry bush
in sun, and I am one.

Such merriment and such sobriety--
the small wild fruit on the tall stalk--
was this not always my true style?



Above an elegance of snow, beneath
a silk-blue sky a brotherhood of four
birds. Can you mistake us?

To sun, to feast, and to converse
and all together--for this I have abandoned
all my other lives.

Friday's Wildlife

As I sat working my crossword puzzle this morning,
two deer appeared in the back yard.

First they were munching on the leaves of berry trees,
then they found the cracked corn I put out for the squirrels & turkeys.

The deer stayed around for quite a while...
with Miss Kitty lying under a chair watching them.

When I opened the draperies in the bedroom
to take photos of the ruby-throat hummingbirds
the deer decided to leave...
any little movement & they are gone.

One little hummer

...then two

...now 3, no 4 have arrived.

At times (and as I write this) there are 10 flying around this one favorite feeder.
We have 3 feeders hanging,
but they seem to prefer the one where they can perch
rather than hover to drink the nectar.

Now as I was writing about the deer & hummers
something bright caught my eye.
Not a cardinal,
but an Oriole!


I had to use a smaller camera that would sort of focus through a window.
But because of this I couldn't get a good close-up that I could
achieve with my better camera.


Orioles migrate through here which is what this one is doing.
It is a male and from the photos looks
and the information provided in my
Birds of North America handbook,
I have concluded it is an Orchard Oriole.


Above are the berry bushes are where the oriole was when I first spotted him.
Our area is in its migratory path on its way to Mexico & points south.


Last, but not least is a squirrel.
He ran when I went outside to try to photograph the oriole.
The G-man is going to be disappointed that he missed the oriole...
maybe tomorrow.