I'm writing on a lovely day, with a temperature of 21Celsius and a southern breeze bringing the fragrance of freshly cut grass through the windows. I spent a few hours yesterday raking up grass after my dad mowed while I was away. He's almost eighty-one now, but likes to keep busy and can't stand seeing a job not done properly!
You may wonder why I'm not out enjoying the sunshine or the garden on such a fine day, instead of killing time on the computer. In a word, the answer is BLACKFLIES!!!! I wonder if God or the goddess (whoever we can blame) really had to put them in the mix when creation was underway. At least I suppose they provide something for the birds to eat, just wish they'd eat more of them and do it faster.
With the help of DeepWoods Off, I have ventured into the garden and been out birdwatching too. Every day now some new migrant arrives, and I'm seeing a few species that are new to me, always a delight. On a walk in the woods a few days ago, I saw a little grey blue bird with a bright yellow chest, one I'd never seen before. It took a while to locate him in the bird book, but I found out it's a northern parula. A pretty, tropical looking bird. (the picture shown here is a parula, but doesn't really show how brilliant the yellow chest is)
I put out my hummingbird feeder two days ago, and within a few hours a female rubythroated was checking it out. It's the only hummer in our area. Yesterday I saw a little male gorging himself until the female spotted him and ran him off. Last year a female took over and the battles were wild at times. For a tiny bird, it has big ideas!
A pair of northern flickers has been around for a while, though I haven't seen them since the courting stage. It was fun to watch. The male poses, fanning his tail and bobbing his head, and they are both very vocal about the affair. One of my favourite songbirds has turned up, just saw a male common yellowthroat this morning. With the black mask, it makes me think of Zorro. Makes noise worthy of twice its size.
The trees are leafing out now, with silver green hackmatacks, almost lime bright birches and now the white flowering wild pears. When the sun shines through at certain times of day, it makes me wish I were an artist. It is just so beautiful with the backlit leaves and blossoms. The apple trees are just beginning to show a tiny bit of pink blossom. Because the owners of this place used to have an orchard, there are apple trees scattered out in the meadow, by the front yard, and off in the woods. Gnarled and old, when they bloom they are still lovely.
Driving home a few days ago, we took the long way around the island, and between villages had to slow down for deer in the road. Two does leisurely made their way across while two others waited undecided on the other side. When you see one, you have to slow down as more are almost surely about to cross. At dusk and on foggy evenings they seem especially fond of wandering.
In spite of pesky insects, I have done some of my planting. I have summer squash, swiss chard, sugar snap peas and zinnias in to grow from seed. Yesterday I made a bamboo teepee and put Scarlet Runner beans, sweet peas and cardinal vine seeds around it. I'm hoping the deer don't decide to check out the raised bed as they have so far left it alone, unlike my tulips. I plan to pick up more annual flowers, some herbs and a few perennials at my sister's sale. She has a bookstore and in the spring brings in plants for several weeks. I've already set aside a heavenly fragrant white nemesia and a fragrant lemony herb to put in a window box near the front door.
With the Victoria Day weekend here, I've assembled a mini-greenhouse on my doorstep (one of those shelf units with a plastic cover). I'm not putting anything too delicate out just yet, as the full moon isn't until next Tuesday, and a frost often hits about that time. The days have been warm this week, but it still gets a lot colder at night, so I can wait. Looks like I'll have to buy a few tomato plants, as the ones I have under lights are pathetic little things. We have Tumbling Tom available locally, and it's nice in a hanging basket or container. I hope if I can cover them at night maybe I won't have to share with the deer.
A May verse:
In the blossoming hedge the robin cock
sings,
For the sun it is merry and bright,
And he joyfully hops and he flutters his
wings,
For his heart is all full of delight.
For the May bloometh fair,
And there's little of care,
And plenty to eat in the Maytime rare.
(from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, sung by Friar Tuck)
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