The Story of the Woodpecker and Finch

I know, I know…yes another bird picture from me.  I can’t help myself!

I was going to take a picture of the colorful woodpecker eating at the feeder and that’s where the story begins…….

The hungry woodpecker was happily enjoying his breakfast.  He didn’t have a care in the world even when he noticed me with a camera watching him in the window.   He was a relaxed woodpecker enjoying life on a cold snowy morning.

Along came the golden yellow, beautiful, small finch.  He eyed up the feeder and saw it held many treats for a hungry bird.  He did a fly by once and then again. Out of nowhere he appeared with wings spread and an angry look on his face.  He zeroed right in on the happy woodpecker and chased him away!

And he ate and ate until his heart was content

The End!!  For today that is…..

Mother Nature

If you look closely you will see this strange situation happening.  This sunflower is growing out of a crack in a dead tree by our garden.  It’s amazing how mother nature works!!

We fill a few of our bird feeders with sunflower seeds so a bird must have had a nest in this tree at some point.  But how it started and found it’s way out of a crack into the sunlight is amazing to me.

Amazing Clouds

These were the clouds over the soccer field tonight.

I am amazed at the skies sometimes.  It almost appears to be a heart displaying itself.

In the second picture the clouds seem to be sinking, rolling in and enveloping the houses in the distance.  You could actually feel the cold air from them.

Take the time every day to look up into the sky.  It’s worth every second!

Beauty at its best

This was the sky tonight between our Island and Canada.  It was a perfect “date” night to drift and reflect on our wonderful vacation rather than work on the yard!!

Long Beach

We spent this past week at Long Beach in Canada.  You can see by this picture taken our first early evening there EXACTLY why we love this place.

I am playing catch up but will post more about our stay with fun pictures, the wonderful book I finished reading (which could not have been more appropriate for this vacation) and the historical house that captivates me!

Rainy Day Gardens

We have had so much rain this season.  It’s not even fun to be outside as the bugs are overwhelming in the early morning and from dusk until late evening.

The gardens cheer me up with their happy little flowers.  This wildflower garden is a bit wild as I can’t get in there to thin it out even when raining as the mosquitoes attack!  I love the pink, orange, purple and yellow all blending together.

Along the garage the red and white impatiens compliment the red and white of our old farmhouse.

The entry way to the house is dotted with color.  However, there is one dark black thing that doesn’t belong.  She insists on cutting through this garden and hits a plant here and there!

In the mini rose garden I truly believe Mary is praying for some dry weather.

And while so many flowers are starting to bloom or in full bloom, others are losing their luster and filling their little sleeves with seeds to fly away in the wind when they are done and start little plants for next spring.

 

Summer Vacation

The past two weeks have been a blur.  The kids finished the school year with a spring concert and the graduation of the 8th grade class leaving the school for High School.  I am going to be one of those parents next year and I’m already getting Kleenex out!!  The kids kicked off the first day of summer vacation visiting with some of their cousins who live locally as well as some who were here visiting from Hawaii!

I was even able to sneak in a ride with my cousin who lives in Hawaii.  It was great!!

The daughter/step daughter is planning a HUGE move to Colorado next weekend.  It’s going to be very hard for all of us as we will miss her.  But this is the next step into another phase of her life and we are happy for her!  She was here to visit and made a batch of homemade ice cream with the teen.

The Teen has been working on her riding skills and enjoying her horse time with Bailey.

My niece even stopped by for a cousin ride.  I love how the “boys” love each other while the girls spend their bonding time.

A visit from the horse shoer (Farrier) for a trim to the horses hooves.

 

The boy had the opportunity to spend some time with his cousins from Hawaii again before they left.  He of course had to introduce them to all his chickens.

Our first batches of strawberry jam have been made and are stored in the cellar.

And a new homey touch with a small curtain has been added to the chicken coop.

It’s been a strange weather pattern so far this spring and kick off of summer.  It’s cold, wet, and overly buggy and the weeks forecast does not look like it will be improving much.  At least we are keeping busy 🙂

Evening Cruise

The Niagara River was beautiful the other night and made for the perfect “mom and dad” night out on the boat.

You can see more of the beautiful night here:  Evening Cruise

Sunday night Sunset

Even Disco was amazed by our sunset last night.  It was a true work of art!

Storm Clouds and a surprise

Beautiful storm clouds rolling in over the marina tonight.  The kids had just enough time to enjoy the surprise of our new boat, “Chasin’ Chances” before the storm hit.

Even Grandma had time to look it over

It was a race against clouds to get back home, close all the windows and tuck the animals in before the rain…and we won 🙂