My backyard visitor

Another garden update

5/17

Still haven't gotten plants (seedlings) into the garden, but they are definitely ready to go into the ground.  My purchased plants (tomatoes, zucchini, green peppers) are really needing to get planted.  I was finally able to put them outside today as it warmed up above 65°F.

My rhubarb seems to have weathered the recent frost/snow.  I am not sure about the strawberries.   They look about the same.  I won't mind if a few of them die off as they spread a bit too far last year.

Ignore the grass and weeds.  Why does that stuff grow so FAST!

Rhubarb

 

Strawberries

 

The raspberries are doing good.  My sister is sending me some wild raspberry plants, about 6-7, so I have to figure out a good spot for them.  We plan to have the house resided so I need to take that into account.  I don't want to have to move them or have them damaged during the work.  Same goes for planting my roses. 

My son counted up my seedlings the other day and out of 62 started, we have 52 sprout.  Much better than I expected.

5/19

Seen at the bird feeders on Sunday.....how they got some time alone without the sparrows, I will never know :)

This was seen Monday at the humingbird feeder.  We've had a couple humingbird visitors as well, but my camera wasn't at hand :(

Camera Critters

Joining Camera Critters for the first time today :)

Thank you Carletta at Round the Bend for the recommendation to join.

As I have mentioned previously in my blog, we went to the MN Zoo while on vacation this past June.  I took over 2000 pictures while on vacation and have been slowly going through them.  I love having a digital camera just because I can take so many and not worry about cost.  All it costs me is time to sort after I'm home.  Here is a small sampling from the World of Birds Show at the MN Zoo. 

These are in order of the show.  I've linked the pages from the show list for anyone who wants a quick primer on a particular bird.  That exercise helped me remember what each one was called.  As you can see through some of the pictures, I moved closer to the stage to get better pictures.  If I had a camera with better zoom, I could have stayed in the cool shade up at the top of the seating area.  Obviously close-ups became more important than comfort that hot summer day.  

As usual you can click on a picture to enlarge it.  I hope you enjoy the pictures. 

I missed the doves flying around the arena at the very beginning as we arrived just as the show was starting. 

Ducks....

Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Nearly albino Red Tailed Hawk

Named Pink Floyd

 

 

King Vulture

Peregine Falcon

Red JungleFowl

  

East African Crowned Crane 

Hyacnith Macaw

 Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot

 

Rose-breasted Cockatoo

 Bald Eagle

 

 

I am a definite fan of the World of Birds Show and the MN Zoo.  It was well worth the money and time.  I think I may try for a cooler day next time.  That day was boiling.

To see more Camera Critters please click on badge at beginning of post or the right of your screen.  Thank you for stopping by today :)

Wordless Wednesday #6

Host and other participants located at http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/


Explanation:
The orange tag is to help keep a count and was applied by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of MN. This particular pair were released from MN zoo last year(?) and returned to nest there this Spring/Summer.

Work in progress.

I am working on the final letters of the Alphabet Project. I should have them posted in the next day or so. I apologize for the delay. I have been extremely busy with outside chores and studying.

Here are a couple of shots I snapped on Tues (5/27) in a crabapple tree in my front yard. Last year, I hardly had any finches; this year, I have had 4 regulars in less than 2 days of having up my feeders. They seem to love the new sock-type feeder. Maybe it's the different feed? These birds are amazing to watch as they dart all over my front and back yard playing.



Read about 'em

"P" is for...

These were taken last July 4th in Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, WI.

I thank all who have stopped by and left comments. I do appreciate it. Be sure to check out Quilldancer to find more participants of the Alphabet project.