Beautiful Ducky Day

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day! It was sunny and got up to 70 degrees! I spent most of the day outside cleaning up in my own flower beds and doing some cleaning up and pruning at the neighborhood entrance.




We have a small island at our entrance with a cluster of seven burning bushes at each end. They were way too tall and desperately needed to be cut back and thinned out. I volunteered to do the job. I just hope they survive the massive pruning, but if they don't, we had talked of pulling them all out anyway. This was just a cost saving measure to see if we could keep them where they are for the time being. I can't imagine why anyone planted so many of them in such a small space to begin with. I clipped each branch individually to make sure that I got them all even. My hands have blisters and I am so sore, but it felt so wonderful to work outside. I loved every minute of it!



These flower pictures are not from the archives! No, they are blooming in my yard right now! I couldn't believe it when I went out today to look around. I thought I might have daffodils blooming by the weekend, but I was surprised to find so many already in bloom and many more are about to open. The cluster of little purple irises are so pretty. They were a delightful surprise today too!

Last year I had ducks coming to the bird feeder for several weeks. They would come right up to the patio door too. Today two of them showed up in the back yard to eat sunflower seeds. I wonder if it's the same couple.

I'm hoping that they do like they did last year, and find someplace else to nest. Between the possum (which is still making visits), the rabbits and now ducks, Lilly goes crazy when we let her out.



I hope all of my Midwestern friends had a chance to enjoy this lovely spring day too.

Hanging In There

I went to Cool Creek Park a few days ago to walk the trails and observe the birds and wild life from the nature center. They are having summer camp there and lots of little hand prints were on the glass, in fact, it was nearly impossible to get a picture from the windows due to the smudges. This was the only window shot that turned out even half-way decent. There was a hawk sitting in a nearby tree and the squirrels were laying low and the bird activity came to a screeching halt.


This squirrel picture reminds me of our situation right now, as we are just hanging in there waiting to see what happens next. Right now, things are looking very good. My husband has had two job interviews that have gone very well. He also has a couple of other interviews lined up for next week. We are hoping to hear something positive in the next week or two. Please continue praying.

(You can click on the pictures to enlarge them!)
I sat outside yesterday morning trying to get pictures of the hummingbirds. Every time I would lay my books aside and pick up the camera they would zip away. They were so fast! They are such curious creatures! As I sat on the swing one of them flew right up to my face to check me out. I wish I could have gotten that picture! Amy, From High And Dry commented a few days ago that one had done the same thing to her husband. She said, "Would you believe that tonight my husband had a hummingbird fly right up to him and hover in front of his face, about an inch from his nose? They looked at each other for a bit and then the bird flew away. Amazing! Wish I'd been there to see it." That is exactly what this one did to me, Amy.


The bumblebees are interesting to watch on the petunias; instead of going inside the flower, they go to the base and cut the flower.

When I stepped outside yesterday morning there were several ducks in my back yard. I guess it is the momma duck that frequented my yard early spring. She came back and brought her young with her.

Crossing the street and heading back to the pond.

The goldfinches are enjoying the sunflowers. They'll soon be feasting on the large sunflowers that are about to bloom. They were scarce for a while, so I'm very glad to have something during the summer that is drawing them to the yard. Usually in the fall they eat the seeds from the echinacea, cosmos and zinnias, so I rarely deadhead my flowers.

Duck Tales

The ducks came back yesterday and today. One female seems to be looking for a place to nest, she made herself quite comfortable in my back corner flower bed and stayed there for a long time yesterday. She blended right into the mulch and could barely be seen from the house. The only problem with her nesting here is our beloved golden retriever, Lilly. I had to let her out on the leash yesterday to make sure she didn't disturb the duck. I'm sure there are more suitable nesting places near the three ponds in our neighborhood.

They are so funny coming right up to the patio eating the sunflower seeds.

You can see in this picture that the grass is turning so green and needs to be mowed already.

The male mallard is a fine looking specimen, especially when the sun is shining on him.

Aren't they a cute couple?