Mr. and Mrs Tree Swallow and friends :0)

Male Tree Swallow checking out the new digs. To the right you
can see the female Tree Swallow flying. This is the second year
they have come to nest in our bird box.

The male Tree Swallow one of the most beautiful birds I've ever
seen. They're a joy to watch and to have around.

A male Tree Swallow perched on our shepherd's hook.
The yellow streak above him is a male Goldfinch.

The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Or in this case, the insect :0)

The Tufted Titmouse is one of many species of birds that have
been visiting our bird feeder. They love the safflower seed. We
had a problem with blackbirds and grackles chowing on our
sunflower seed and running the other birds off. I had heard that
if you put safflower seed in your feeders, they avoid it. So far it's
worked like a charm. Squirrels hate safflower seeds as well.

Beetle Bug

I have no idea what kind of bug this is. They are all over
our back porch at night and are attracted to light. Anyone
have a clue?

Our Fringe tree is in full bloom. The blooms are so pretty and
delicate. I wish it would look this way all year. Unfortunately
the little white fringes drop off and nothing but green leaves
are left.



Fringetree or Old Man's Beard is a beautiful, small tree when
it is in full Spring bloom. It can grow nearly anywhere in the
continental United States and it's white flower color kicks in
just as the dogwood blooms are fading.

The upright oval to rounded form of fringe tree adds dark
green color in summer, bright white flowers in spring. The
pure white, slightly fragrant flowers hang in long, spectacular
panicles which appear to cover the tree with cotton for two
weeks. As with other white flowered trees, they look best
when viewed against a dark background.

Iris Garden

The Birds & The Bees

Goldfinches enjoying a snack at our feeder.


One more shot of our bee colony from yesterday.

Swarm, Swarm!

I looked out our back door this morning and noticed a swarm of
hundreds of honey bees. I've never seen so many bees in one place
at one time in my life. They were swarming around an evergreen
bush near our garden and iris garden. I went in and grabbed my
camera. I took these shots with my long lens because I didn't want
to get any closer than I had to. I took this shot from our garage
door window. It was a pretty amazing sight!






Here's a close up of the colony. I sent these
pictures to my husband, Terry. He used to
work with a bee keeper, Bo Smith, at WWL
in Smyrna, TN. We used to buy honey from
him. Terry gave Bo a call and Bo said the
swarm will move on once the scout bees find
a new home for them. He suggested we call the
Smith County Extension office and they can
probably give us a name of a local beekeeper
who will come out and round them up for us
and set up a new hive. Terry is waiting to hear
back from them, so stayed tuned!

Update on our bee colony...Ronnie Bussell, a local
bee keeper here in Smith County came by the house
this afternoon with his bee keeping gear. By the time
he got here the colony had moved on. It was very
interesting talking to him about bee keeping and bees.
I was hoping the colony would still be here when he got
here so I could watch him work. Oh well, at least I can
mow now without fear of being stung :0)

Black Capped Chickadee perched in our Fringe tree

Dandelions And Your Health

Dandelions And Your Health

Interesting article about the benefits of dandelions. Check it out! They're not so bad after all.

“If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome
on any lawn.” ~ Andrew V. Mason

Japanese Maple

The leaves on our Japanese Maple tree look more like leaves you
would see in the fall. The red is absolutely gorgeous!

Pretty in Pink

The pink Dogwood tree near our backyard is in full bloom.


"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul
by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been
in bloom." ~ Terri Guillemets

Mr. Redbird

Chickadee enjoying some safflower seed yesterday afternoon :0)

"Faith without works is like a bird without wings; though she
may hop with her companions on earth, yet she will never fly
with them to heaven." ~ Francis Beaumont

Waxing Moon

Waxing moon, April 9, 2011.

Waxing is a word meaning "growing." A waxing moon
occurs between a new moon and a full moon. The
amount of the lit surface we can see is growing,
heading to the west side of the Moon.

A leaf from my rose bush up close and personal. It's going to be
beautiful this year :0) I love macro photography!

"In the glow of the dawn,
Welcome a new day,
Greet the golden sunlight or rain,
Nature in all its subtlety.
Whip of the wind,
Earth unfolds,
Softly falling rain,
Growing plants and buds blossoming.
Visions of the earth, with glories of nature,
Beauty of the daffodils,
Sunshine and rain from a rainbow,
Awe! Nature in full bloom."
~ Blanche Black, Springtime

Tulip Poplar fruit

The Color Purple

We have lots of these pretty little violets growing in our backyard!

Spring Beauty

Pear blossoms up close and personal~

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March."
~ Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926

I took this picture with my long lens, standing on our deck looking
up into our cherry tree. I love the pink blossoms against that
beautiful blue sky! After yesterday and last night's storms there
aren't many blooms left on the trees.

"The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze."
~ Julian Grenfell

Jessie cat napping on the deck covered with cherry blossoms. She
didn't seem to mind though :0)


She realized I was snapping pictures of her, so she got up and
started walking towards the camera.


Hello kitty! What a poser. She loves having her picture taken!

Nesting Time

I caught this little Black Capped Chickadee poking his head out
of our bird box Saturday morning. I wish I had had my long lens
on the camera when I took this shot!

April Fool's Sunrise

April Fool's Day 5:43am sunrise...photo courtesy of T :0)