Thursday, May 08, 2008

gardeny things

ostrich fern - it comes up every year and the wind breaks its leaves to pieces before June...
bleeding heart - second year


violets - the quintessential self-sower


at least in terms of acceptable flowers - because of course the dandelion is without a doubt the best and most prolific self-sower.

dq told me today that the dandelion was named because someone looked at it and thought it was dandy and their friend thought it looked like a lion's mane and so it was a dandylion.



early this spring the chickadees had claimed the bluebird nesting box, however, a couple of weeks ago, I witnessed a three way battle for the box between two pairs of bluebirds and the chickadees - I think this is the male from the winning pair.

6 comments:

  1. I love the dandelion photo. You made something we often see as ugly into something beautiful.

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  2. Great bluebird shot!

    I have heard that about dandilions!

    Also, I rip violets out of my garden like they are weeds after they bloom in the spring. This is not because i don't like them, but for the reason you noted! They will be back next year!

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  3. I love, love, love the pictures of the birds...

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  4. Anonymous2:36 PM

    Gorgeous birdy. Oh my our English birds are so dowdy compared to all the brightly coloured birds you get around the States.

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  5. Our cardinals chased away our bluebirds. Now the mockingbirds are going to chase away the cardinals. Meanwhile the woodpecker just keeps tapping away. :o) Lovely shots!

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