Birds of Spring

It's amazing how, in just one week, the weather can change the look of the garden drastically. From snow and ice coating the trees and shrubs on Winter wonderland Monday, to what feels like searing Summer heat for "let's clean out the potting shed" Sunday.

The Robins, chirpy harbingers of Spring, cover the lawn looking left and right, then fly to the bird baths for a refreshing dip - they love to bathe family style.

Madame Towhee is cautious, she and her mate backscratch in the dry oak leaves still waiting to be raked from the flowers beds, and then, one at a time, take a quick drink but don't stop long enough to shower.

But the really special sighting was of this favorite, the Eastern Bluebird, who stopped by the porch railing for a couple of minutes as I passed by the dining room window, camera in hand fortunately. I had to stifle shrieks of joy, steady my hand and snap quickly through the glass. How I love these birds whose numbers were depleting for many years in North Carolina. A push to hang the type of nesting boxes they require has been hugely successful and they are back. The family that visits our garden has been coming for three years now ~ it's a good feeling. But, I must be honest ~ they've yet to actually nest in the lovely handcrafted bluebird box I hung ~ maybe this will be the Spring they realize it's a little house waiting just for them, no mortgage required!

................and yes, I do plan to clean out the potting shed this morning, so must away. Hope Spring is on its way to your garden.