A Calling Bird

 He called so often daily and finally he found a mate. It seems to be too cold for them to nest but I hope they stay in our territory. 

 She is actually larger than him but she has great subtle colors instead of the bright red. 

 They took turns sitting in out maple tree. He calls yet even though she is here right in the same tree. 

 

 

We do still have snow everywhere. It did melt off some yesterday, out in the open, where the snow was thin. I shoveled off the heaviest of snow off my deck and it help speed up things a bit. We didn't get too far below freezing last night. It still is not a warm day today. I went for meds and groceries this morning and I am glad I wore my winter coat. 

This is the last day of the month. I can't believe things went so quickly. Both of us spent a couple of weeks sick with the flu. I am now over it and my wife is a few days from being at the end of it. It last so many days and the sore throat is the last to go.

Thanks for stopping by today.  

 

 

No Snow Blowing

 We reached 62 degree F. today. Our snow is melting. It isnt such a quick melt but it is nice to see some of it going away.

 Looking down the hill I can see our brown grass. We caught up n our needed snowfall but we missed out on the last one all together.

 I dug out a path on my deck to get a path to the bird feeders. If is stays warm tomorrow I will do a better job of clearing it. The winds really pile up a lot of snow on the northeast side of the house. 

 Looking down the back stairs I was surprised to seed how much snow was still there. I don't have a need to shovel it out.  I am looking forward to spring to see what the tulips will look like along the railing there.

. Did I mention tulips in the last line. There they are coming up in the front yard. It isn't unusual for this time of the year.

 

The two garden spots in front of the garage have the first tulips showing up in the spring. I didn't plant new tulips last fall but I have plenty that will come up and bloom. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Thursday's Things

 It is suppose to warm up today enough for us to thaw a bit. The morning sunrise looked smudgy for some reason but we do now have clear sunshine. 

 The is a view of my hill in my backyard. It is a long story as to why I don't have a flat backyard but I get use to it and then take photos and see the strange lean of the land. I should plow out the land next to the fence and create a giant flower bed. 

 

 The birds leave their tracks as they search for fallen seed from above. The seem to be hungry today even though we just are not  that cold right now. Having been under the weather the past seven days for different reasons, it was fun to step out of the house and take photos while trying not to step into the snow with my stocking feet.

 The catalogue lays open from where I left it days ago. I did not buy new ones this year. I have three or four that I bought last year that I am counting on to be blooming in the late spring. 

 The photographer and editor of the catalogue do such a great job to get people to buy. The know their trade and know color is a big design element to catch people[s eye. I follow the reel of this company and it is fun to see the beds that are developing through the year. 

 I am feeling better and yet still have sore throat residue. I went for groceries yesterday as we were just out of everything.  I was strong enough to shop and yet it was a long job putting things away. My wife has caught what I just had. Each person gets different symptoms but she is sick. She is sleeping it off day and night. I never had this kind of cold that lasted for so long. Each day I developed a new different ailment. One night I had to sleep in an easy chair vertically as my throat was so swollen and my breathing was being impaired. Now I am keeping liquids going as often as possible to get the throat cleared up. My energy level is almost normal now but I am not going to do any brick laying today.

Thanks for checking in today. 

 

Middle of the Week

 The morning sun glowed through for a short time. Most of the day it has been gray and cloudy.

 Patterns are everywhere. The stairs and rafters give off a good pattern along with the railing. Repeated squares are always a winner. 

 

 I am the end of a long cold. I develop new things each day. The sore throat last night was a real winner but I am getting stronger. We missed our oldest grandson's 13th birthday. He will get his card and gifts but not on time. My one brother turned 83 years old yesterday. He lives in Yorba Linda, California. He is looking forward to the Santa Anna winds, to start blowing, to give him perfect weather. I am anxious for any southern wind to blow our way. 

Thans for checking in today. 

Red Returns

 

 I put more seed on the tray and the cardinal showed up this morning. I took many shots and kept three of them. He was in a tree outside earlier and I didn't get a shot as he didn't stick around for me. 

 I have been ill. I was set back from medical test last week and I am just now feeling a little better. I don't shoot new fresh stuff when sick but the birds have helped get me some visuals for the blog.Tomorrow will be the fourth day of being down. I think I will be better soon and then the crud develops into something else. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  

Rocking Raisin

 

Sunday Afternoon

 At a perfect moment I caught tthis guy in the blue spruce tree. I keep seeing him f rom a distance and just happened to look out with my cameraa.

 I do have a closer shot of him as he was just about to take off with a sunflower seed in  his beak. He looks like an acrobat. 

 

 Inside, I moved the new plant over to the window to give it some more light. It is a tropical plant and all I know don't know how to care for it. I just water it often but not too much.

 The fish are always moving so most of the time I just get a blur of guppies.  They are keeping warm in the heated tank, Outside we started out at 19 degrees F. again this morning. The warm up isn't much. We chose not to go outside anywhere. 

Thanks for stopping by today.