Flower Power!

I'm imagining each of these flowers as a satellite dish,

capturing and sending out Flower Power:

that undeniable, positive energy we feel

whenever we get close to a beautiful bloom!

Magically Mauve

Dreamy ruffles, iridescently fringed

A cloud of magical mauve

To fall into such softness

would be

Heaven

The Visitor

Last year

Last spring I returned from the country with a container of 20 toads (all different ages and sizes), and set them free in my garden...


The fine young toad, pictured above, hopped by our fish pond today, posed for a few photos and then continued on his way.


Prince Charming :)

Salad Days

Look at the weather and look at me,

We're both in a summery haze,

We're young and we're green as the leaf on a tree

For these are our Salad Days.

From the musical "Salad Days"

Lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds and Julian Slade

Peace

There is peace within a garden,

A peace so deep and calm

That when the heart is troubled

It's like a soothing balm.

~ Rosamund, Lady Langham

Gurgle, Gurgle

I love the sound of running water, so relaxing...


My daughter and I made these waterfall stones using cement and various leaves from my garden.


The topmost, largest stone was made from a rhubarb leaf!


Easy to do and so much fun!

Cardinal Beauty

What's a girl to do when she's caught with her mouth full?

Well, smile as best as you can,

And then present the photographer with your best side!

This female Cardinal has nothing to worry about.

She's beautiful, as always :)

The Salad Thief

Where oh where did my (newly planted) salad go?

And this is what's left

 of my parsley...

It appears we have a new gopher in the neighbourhood.


Hmmm, what to do?

The Green of Spring

The Green of Spring,

Bright, fresh and new

A Cup of Red

The colour red symbolizes passion

And up to the brim,

This cup is full.

Lilac Light

 The sky is coloured with lilac light.

I had to look up the name of this lilac (to the left) because the tag for the plant disappeared a long time ago.

It is a French Hybrid Lilac called Sensation.  I bought this little beauty as a rooting  five years ago and finally this Spring it has produced its very first flower.

My garden is like an eternal surprise party...  I walk around a corner and SURPRISE!

Here's the plant you forgot you ever planted...

Or thought had died...

Or thought would never bloom!

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This is the handsome guy who  is responsible for the recent bird photos on my blog.

  
To capture his dashing attire I ran for my zoom lens and it's been attached to my camera ever since.


"It sings a long phrase with a well-defined form like a pretty little poem, sung in the softest of tones full of delicacy and charm, a voice of syrupy sweetness like no other bird. 

It is the rose-breasted grosbeak, pleasing both to eye and ear."

Winsor M. Tyler

Click to hear the grosbeak's song

The General has Arrived

The Red-Winged Blackbirds remind me of army Generals when they fly into our yard.  This one does a quick perimeter check before proceeding to chase away every other bird!

Making himself as big as possible, he forces another bird out of the birdbath.  Notice how he makes sure to ruffle up his army stripes, so we're all aware of his superior rank.

Now he's on surveillance duty, making sure the intruder does not return.

Not. On. His. Watch.

It's a wonder he ever finds time to eat!

Click here for the red-winged blackbird's song.

My Summer Valentine

You're a bright red apple perching in a leafy tree.

You're a twirling

tango dancer

staring boldly

at me.

With a shift of light,
you're rosy-hued, divine.

The apple of my eye

You're my Summer Valentine

Wash, Rinse and Repeat

Dinner for Two

To get the full value of joy

you must have someone to divide it with.

~Mark Twain~

Majestic Magnolia

Like something beautiful

that quietly hides,

but shines when I want to look;

That's what you are.

Lily of the Valley

Unfurl the banners - Spring is here!

The Grapes of Mirth

Cobalt-blue grapes

hang suspended,

above an earthen

bed.

The Thirsty Crow

Water is the same to all living beings.

Queen of the Shade

Trillium graceful,
    Trillium white,
Star of the woodland
    Lady of Light,
Lo, how she proudly
    Stands in the glade,
Tri-sceptered sovereign,
    Queen of the shade.
Stately she rises
    Slender-stemmed, tall,
Gracious response to
    Spring's early call.




From:  The White Trillium
By:  Milena Matcska