Looking for Mr. Bluebird

 

I was excited about watching birds through the clear backed

Nest View Birdhouse I bought earlier this spring (read about it here).  

Although I moved it to a bedroom window

and kept the blinds drawn, so as not to frighten the birds, 

it sits quiet and empty. 

I was disappointed...but all was not lost.

Quite by coincidence a friend appeared, 

Bluebird house in hand. 

It turns out that he builds them and gives them as gifts, in memory of a friend. 

Visions of pretty Bluebirds filled my head.
The house is made with specific dimensions to attract Bluebirds,

with a hinged front door to allow monitoring of the nest. 

I absentmindedly listened to his instructions on

identifying the nest building habits of Sparrows, Wrens and Bluebirds 

and his warning that he sometimes has to clean

House Sparrow nests out of his Bluebird house 3 times a day.

Was I in for a surprise.

We held our breath for the first sign of activity. 

Within a week, there was nesting material in the house.

Identifying the nesting style wasn't necessary. 

The House Sparrows taking up residence made their presence abundantly clear.

 

They were all over the house when no one was around,

but once I stepped foot out of the house, they were nowhere to be found.  

I couldn't get a clear shot of them through the back door. 

So, I one sunny morning I went out to wait.

The first to come out from hiding was Mr. Cardinal,

ready to put on a show. 

Soon, friendly Robins joined in. 

Seemingly without fear, they hopped ever nearer.

 

Blue Jay made a brief appearance on high.

It was a cold morning and I underestimated the tenacity of those Sparrows. 

I gave up and went in without catching them on the house.

Their tenacity in claiming the birdhouse was unrelenting as well.

I did some research on House Sparrows and learned here that 

"House Sparrows are non-native invasive pests, and are not protected by law. 

They will attack and kill adult bluebirds (sometimes trapping them in the nest box),

and destroy eggs and young. 

House Sparrow nests, eggs, young, and adults may be legally removed or destroyed.  

It is better to have no box at all than to allow House Sparrows to reproduce in one."

Clearly, something had to be done. 

I learned about mounting fishing line on the house,

which scares House Sparrows, but apparently doesn't bother Bluebirds here.

Our Bluebird house now looks like this. 

The House Sparrows are gone...

we're still waiting for Bluebirds. 

New Life!

Wishing you a blessed Easter!

The Magic of Light

Gardening Gone Wild's Picture This Photo Contest theme for April is light. 

Light is such a critical element in photography,

and one that we usually can't control. 

We can only be in the right place at the right time and

use what we are given to its best advantage. 

I love how the interplay of light on the maple buds above enhances the detail.

But I struggle with lighting and am usually trying to make do with a less than ideal situation.

   

I was having issues with lighting that was too strong on my daffodils. 

I thought my problem was solved when a cloudy day provided even light. 

But the resulting photo seemed flat.

In the end, I chose the too bright version

which seems more dynamic than the flat values of this cloudy day version.

Every once in a while, magic happens.

Autumn light transformed this Cutleaf maple into a shimmering ball of fire.

Backlighting showcases this intricate branching, 

set off by the surrounding feathery glow.  

And so, I've chosen this Cutleaf Maple for my submission to the GGW photo contest.

Early Spring Blooms

 

It's begun!   

Forsythia and Daffodils are

hallmarks of the early spring show, but they're not alone.

Early spring blooms come

wrapped in many shapes and sizes. 
Here's a sampling of what's blooming in my area. 

Heath (Erica carnea), makes a colorful spring carpet, nicely set off by Boxwood.  This

low-growing evergreen shrub 

needs excellent drainage.

 Iris reticulata

(Dwarf Iris)

provides a

diminutive

punch of blue

in that

lovely, 

Iris form.

Primrose comes in many bright shades from white to shocking pink.

Pretty white blossoms cover Wall Rock Cress (Arabis caucasica) in early spring. 

The evergreen perennial spreads to form mats of gray-green foliage 

that cover the ground.

Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica) is one of my favorite spring bulbs.

Although quite small,

the clear blue flowers 

flaunt their beauty. 

I believe these pretty blue rays are Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa luciliae) - 

a visit to Carolyn's Shade Gardens helped identify them.

 Daffodil trumpets signal that spring is here.  Do you see the daylilies peeking out of the ground below the Daffodils?  Read why they're a great pair here.

 The fragrance of Hyacinth belongs to Easter, for me.  I like Hyacinth best indoors, but can never bring myself to throw them away.  I usually plant the bulbs outside after the holiday to enjoy in years to come. 

Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica), is a nice evergreen shrub with dainty drooping flower clusters.

Some cultivars, such as 'Valley Rose', have pink flowers.  A fronting plant would make a nice addition to conceal these exposed "legs." 

Forsythia is recognized by all...when it's in bloom. 

Afterwards, it fades unremarkably into the background. 

I think it's best sited where the branches can stretch out in 

all the glory of their unrestrained sprawl...

 

  

...rather than being clipped into a

forced civility. 

If you do prune Forsythia, 

do so in the spring

soon after bloom

to ensure flowering the next year.

Dwarf cultivars, such as Forsythia 'Arnold Dwarf', are more suited to smaller spaces.  

Did you know that

Red Maples (Acer rubrum) have flowers? 

Although vibrant fall foliage color is their

claim to fame, 

the modest spring show is a nice bonus. 

Don't forget to take the pest ALB into consideration when choosing trees (read about it here)  

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) is a wonderful small tree with lacy white flowers.



Star magnolia blossoms



"The day the Lord

created hope

was probably the same day

He created Spring." 

~Bern Williams

To see what's blooming in other areas, visit May Dreams Gardens for
Garden Blogger Bloom Day

See, also Spring Blooms II for more spring blooms.