Inspiration

This is the month of garden dreams and plans, a month of creativity while waiting for May's plantings It's also the month of clean up, but for now .. I'm in full-on planning mode. I'm  trying to think of what I want to do to my pots this year.  I went cruising the aisles of my friendly neighborhood internet for DIY projects ... and I thought I'd share with you.

It would seem that I'm a fan of polka dots, especially in combination with other things. Good thing this isn't clothing - I won't be caught within a mile of polka dots.

 We'll see how things eventually work themselves out, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see some sort of dottish thing going on. As for colors, I think I've settled on a combination that is inspired by some dinner plates my Granny had when I was a kid. It'll be better on the pots, I  promise!

I'll post results as I have them.

I suspect shenanigans

Each time I park my car, I get to look at this amusing little vignette.  Tucked in amongst the peiris, our smug little sculpture waits for the birds to come visit from the suet holder Bruce has set up.  From the relative comfort of his office chair, he and the cats lolling on top of the file cabinet can watch the show.

Our local bird store has suggested filling a suet holder with bits of fur (lord knows we have enough cat fur around with both cats blowing their coats), lint, string and cotton bits to help the birds with their nesting needs.

Bruce's interest in the birds of our garden has certainly been mirrored by our own family felines, whom we often find crouched down by a window in 'hunting mode.'   Ours are no danger to the birds, not being allowed out, but we do have a neighbour who lets her cat wander about and he finds our yard quite delightful.  I wonder if it's the sun-warmed patio flagstones or if it's potential meals.  Call me suspicious, but I think there's funny business afoot.

... And the bees

My kitchen window, despite its spatters of washwater, collection of oddly shaped dusty bottles, and view of the neighbour's siding, is also one of the first to give us a glimpse of spring perspectives.

Jasmine blossoms

At the start of February, what looked to be spring was occurring here in Nanaimo.  Then we got snow and confused the plants that were ready to bud.  Eventually the snow melted, temperatures warmed up and the plants grew a bit, again ready to herald the season, only to be foiled again with more snow and then what seemed like weeks of grey soggy weather. Despite all of the spring nonsense that followed a relatively dry winter, this jasmine seems, like many of the plants in the garden who survived the crushing weight of snow that ripped down many of my shrubs and split tree trunks, ready to defy the odds and put on a spectacular spring greeting.

Like young men hovering about silver chased punch bowls and milling near the edges of dance floors hoping to catch the eye of the year's debutantes, this bumblebee flits among the spring's first jasmine blossoms. Gladly welcomed by the ladies in their ball finery, he's sure to break their hearts .. his has already been given to his queen.

The Birds ...

Spring has sprung,
The grass has riz.
I wonder where the birdies is.

Dorky poem perhaps, but a staple of my childhood.  I can still see my father's grin as he recited it.

Bruce asked Santa for, and received, a book on birds of the West Coast.  It's since sat handy to his telescope, coffee cup and comfy chair.  It turns out that we have quite a selection of birds in our yard, and Bruce has said that he'll do his best to capture some of them on film for me.

So, the answer to my father's perennial poetry query is ... the birdies is in our backyard.  ::grin::

Anna's Hummingbird

 I've misidentified this bird in my files, so I'll need t fix it .. this isn't a ruby-throated hummingbird - the rubies are on the other coast and like warmer climates than do Anna's.  This particular bird likes the very top of our arbutus tree; apparently he's set himself up as a sentry for the yard and he can certainly view the whole zone from this perch.  He's quite ferocious with that long beak and the other birds are very wary of the little guy.  He must be the chihuahua of the bird species.

Spotted Towhee

I've never even heard of towhees before last month. Now it appears that this bright little fella is one of many who visit our yard, along with assorted swallows, chickadees, finches, wrens and other sparrows.  Normally, the spotted towhees spend their time on the ground in the leaf litter, so catching him on a branch was a stroke of luck.  That, and the mating season when males grab a good vantage point to sing songs for their ladies.  After all, in spring a young bird's fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love ... if you'll allow me to shamelessly abuse Alfred Lord Tennyson for my own amusement.

Enjoy!

Also, the poem quoted at the start is known as "Spring in the Bronx" by Anonymous.  Isn't the internet wonderful?