Despite fewer blossoms to nourish the visiting hummers now, they still visit daily. I watch them sip nectar and defend their territory against other birds and me. The butterfly bushes, a hummingbird favorite, will continue to flower until the first frost. Once the last flowers wilt, these […]
The flicker kept munching away … … when suddenly a rare visitor to our garden peeked out from the beautyberry bush. A Western Scrub Jay hopped out of the bushes … … looked around … … and then jumped over onto the suet feeder pole. […]
The Northern Flicker checking out the backyard before coming down from the tree … … where he encounters a Stellar’s Jay at the suet feeder. They thoroughly check each other out … … when the jay starts to clown around and then hops onto the […]
This magical moment lasted at most about a minute or two! I was sitting near the dahlias thinking “wouldn’t it be nice if the hummingbird would come by these beautiful flowers before they fade. Suddenly this male Anna’s Hummingbird appeared and fulfilled my wish! These […]
There’s been a seemingly endless stream of bird parents bringing their fledglings to our garden this summer, teaching them how to feed themselves. Northern Flickers are in the tree climber/woodpecker family. They are shy birds and easily spooked by people. They also always announce their […]
It’s been a while since I saw a pileated woodpecker in the garden! Well technically he landed high up on one of the Doug firs just behind the fence. I look at the forest as an extension, a space that attracts an enormous number of […]
Years ago I planted a “Cotton Candy” white butterfly bush right outside our bedroom window. During the summer months we leave the windows open and many mornings I wake up to the sound of hummingbird wings whirring by. I open my eyes and am treated […]
Every time I think of pulling out this bright pink vetch one of my hummingbird friends comes along to let me know how much they love this beautiful invasive weed. 🙂
Imagine my surprise when I got another visit from the Cooper’s hawk Saturday afternoon! He came swooshing through the shrubs and landed right in front of me on the birdbath. There he sat still for a few moments, then hopped onto the ground behind the […]
Open hearts and minds trump ignorance, hatred, fear. One’s character matters! When I discovered these incredible pieces of art on display in an office I’ve been to a number of times, it surprised even me that I had never noticed them before. I came […]
Summer is here and so are the hummingbirds! Hummers rarely sit still. This one however just sat and sipped nectar for a few moments. Crocosmia is a favorite hummingbird flower! “Lecker!” Delicious! Check out the tongue down below! I never get tired of watching hummingbirds! And […]
While sitting outside one morning last week, the Zendog and I suddenly felt a swoosh of air moving past our heads. For a moment all I could see was a bright blur heading straight for the lilac bush. Once this brightly colored bird landed, I […]
While running a bunch of errands on Wednesday I decided to take a break and visit this rose garden nearby. The Sara Hite Rose Garden sits on about an acre of land. There are so many spectacular roses in bloom right now and most of them are delightfully fragrant! […]
How do you spell potato? 😉 Late Sunday afternoon I I noticed a rather large creature rustling through the bushes around my wildflower corner. I looked up and couldn’t believe my eyes! Right there in front of me I saw this beautiful California quail. He […]
There are several birdbaths in my garden, but this song sparrow took a dip in a puddle that formed on a black plastic tarp. Last spring I covered a large part of a flowerbed with it, in hope of taming some out of control alstroemeria. […]
The arrival of spring always brings with it the Townsend’s Chipmunk. These adorable tiny rodents are related to squirrels and every bit as agile and acrobatic as their much larger relatives. They mostly scavenge on the ground, picking up sunflower seeds and bits of suet […]
Rainbow planet wearing a belt? Potholders created from worsted felt? Gutter ball rolling down the lane? Colorful art work ready for a frame? Bright yellow, green, purple and blue What are you looking at? Do you have a clue? At the bottom of the post […]
Pineapple Express recycled sky-cloud river rushing back to sea. If you live along the Pacific Ocean along the West-coast of the US, you are probably familiar with the term “Pineapple Express”. This tropical atmospheric river originates in the Hawaiian Islands where it gathers massive […]
The Art of Photography
Less is not enough.
Exploring my world with pictures and words.
To See a World in a Grain of Sand...
My Journey Towards Retirement by the Sea
And then I stop and sit and eat.
Professional Wildlife, Landscape and Seascape Photography
Following the Path to the Past
Strolling around SE Michigan & sending joy in the journey.
Life is in the Details
Mindfulness, Philosophy, Spirituality, Meditation, Awareness, Religion, Nature Photography
Still learning after all these years.....
Exceptional moments are right there in the many ordinary moments. I depend on this to be true.
by Lize Bard
