Brown-Headed Nuthatches

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Yesterday while I was out in the yard I though I heard the telltale chirp/squeak of a bunch of nuthatches.  Next thing I knew, brown-headed nuthatches had taken over my suet cakes.  I saw at least 5 at one time. I think some of them are juveniles and some are the parents.  Very cute to watch!

Dahlia at the Garden Hut

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It's sortof become tradition to go to The Garden Hut on Mother's Day.   The flowers are just totally gorgeous there in May.  Check out the dahlia I've posted as my daily and all the other wonderful flowers in the collage below.

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 Here's a picture of Johnny and I there on Mother's Day 2010.

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And here's one from yesterday. Johnny took great pleasure in finding that tiny flower on the ground and placing it in my hair:-)

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I really appreciate how good a sport Johnny is about walking around there with me.  And I really appreciate that the staff lets me take pictures.  I treated myself to a perennial type of saliva and a new patriotic mini flag.

Q

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Taken at Whole Foods in the produce section.  Here's the color version.

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Wishing all the mom's out there a very Happy Mother's Day!

Iris Up Close

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About a year ago, I met a lady in the Wal-Mart garden center.  She saw me taking photos, and she invited me to her house/garden to take more pics.  Unfortunately, I didn't write down her address and I didn't remember all the details on how to get to her house.  On Friday, I decided to look or her again.  And, this time, I saw a sign at the entrance of a neighborhood near where I knew she was located saying, "Plants for Sale".  I took a chance, and I'm very glad that I did.  Her name is Marsada (I hope I got that right).  She's a retired woman who loves gardening and tries to share her plants with others while making a small amount of money.  She has a lovely front and backyard filled with interesting blooming plants, and on one side of her house a potting shed and the plants she has for sale.

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She has a lovely selection of hosta.

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And roses.

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And allium.

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And as you can see by my daily irises.  She'll have hydrangea blooming in June.  She welcomed me back, and I intend to go.

Bearded Iris and Vignette

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I did it again.  I stopped to take pictures at someone's mailbox:-)  Above detail enhanced and a vignette.  Below, a similar shot with no pp'ing.  I think everyone should plant iris' at their mailbox!

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Mr. Bluebird

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Taking photos of birds can be addictive;-)  I was back at Yates Mill, yes again, today.  I watched the bluebird nest, the brown-headed nuthatch nest, a hummingbird up high, a cormorant off in the distance, and a pair of cardinals whose nest was probably nearby.  There were also goslings and mallard duck babies to enjoy.  And tons of turtles too!  However, the first thing I saw on my visit of note was the black racer snake floating down the creek and then stopping on the side.  Pretty neat.

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Peony

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 A shot taken in my yard today.  I moved this peony over from the old yard, and it's doing great:-)