Spring soon please............

I need to see some pictures of Springtime in England because I know its started there and we are still under a deep blanket of snow



Bluebells are my favourite, after all I did name my blog for them.



My Uncle Harold lived on the Isle of White and every bluebell season I think of him



I can imagine Uncle Harold walking through the woods on his way to the village. He would tell me about it, he took a short cut through the copse into the village to buy groceries, listen to the birds and just relax. How I envied that.


One final picture




I am linking up with these parties. The Dedicated House, Make it Pretty Monday

Cold Birdies............

My poor poor feathered friends. It was so cold today. The wind was blowing and it was snowing most of the day, it was raining first thing so they had to be cold. My granddaughter Evie says that she sees little birds that have frozen on the lines and fallen to the ground dead, I feel so bad for them. I wish they could all come into my house.


The Mourning Doves were huddled up in the tree waiting for the squirrels to go away. I chase them off (the squirrels) once they have had their share so the small birds can come in. The Doves sit on the feeder and stuff thmselves, they take a peck at anyone who trys to move them on. They are not shy.


The Cardinals are still around, both Mr and Mrs came today.





The Chickadees and small birds love the grapevines. It shelters them while they eat and chat with each other.


The Tufted Titmouse is just so cute..... I take so many pictures of them and, well all the small ones. I want to take them all in and keep them warm.



Feed the wild things and help them through the winter. Don't throw food away, Crows will eat meat so will Starlings. They all deserve our help. stale bread and just about anything that is edible, some creature out there will eat it. We have a Possom who is bunking under our deck we think, and I thought the Skunk was hibernating there, hope they don't meet when he wakes up or Pooofff..........phew!!! I do smell the little stinker walking under the bedroom window. My neighbour is not an animal lover, he wants to get rid of everything. Why????? They do no harm and even help out in the garden. So live and let live.

Why We Dont Trim our Pine Trees

I once read a story about all the little creatures that seek protection from the weather under the branches of the pine trees.
We have several in our garden the sweep the ground.



The Blue Spruce is the smallest one but it hugs the ground. Birds love to nest in it. Where it touches the ground it gives a warm place for rabbits and any other creature to snuggle up and sleep in away from the wind. I hate to see Pines trimmed half way up the trunk. These are so sad trees.



Pine trees should sweep the ground......here is a Bobcat who has been sheltering under the pines



Think of the Rabbits and other small creatures out looking for food. They need places to hide. These are happy pine trees, doing their job.

Shadows................

There are some really pretty shadows out in the garden.........The snow looks like meringue.





Tristens forgotten bucket left in the back yard........lovely blue shadows



Shadows through my friend Nancy's window...........looking through the screen on her glass door. Look at the sun shining through those Spider Plants




The bird house casts a nice shadow. I saw some Chickadees checking it out a couple of weeks ago.



It was such a sunny day that the shadows were deep. It was crisp and cold...........the Squirrel is mad that I am out there taking pictures. I have kept them fat this winter.



Roll on Spring.......................

Look who came to dinner............

Now it makes sense. The bird food just seems to disappear overnight. I knew the skunk was hibernating and usually Racoons are not out and about either. Well Last night Gabby had gone to the bathroom and called me all excited. She said come and see this............. So I did and then grabbed my camera. We turned off the lights and opened the window.



Quite a nice looking chap



Well lookie here..........and not at all scared. Maybe not good eyesight? I don't know. Do Possoms have good eyes? Must have been hungry because she/he did not seem to mind even the flash of the camera.







Finally got tired of having the paparazzi on her/his tail



Maybe living under the deck with the skunk........

Celtic Spring..........

February 1st Saint Brigids Day........... one of the four quarter days of the pagan year, which marked the beginning of spring and lambing.
In England (unlike Michigan) the Spring comes early. This is the time of Snowdrops and early Spring flowers.



I miss England the most in the Springtime. Its the best time of the year. I even love the rain. We don't really get "showers" here either. You know, those bursts of rain that lasts a few moments and then the sun comes out again. Ours lasts for days it seems.

Violets are one of my favourite flowers. I have a lot of memories tied up in Violets. My Grandmothers name was Violet and my Mothers middle name. I don't think that had much to do with it though. They have a wonderful scent and are just plain pretty.


St Brigid Born in Ireland in the year 450 to parents who had been baptized by Saint Patrick, Brigid even as a child showed interest in the religious life. Brigid was the daughter of an Irish chieftan; her mother, Brocca, had been a slave at his court.
She was known for her kindness and strength. Read about her in the link.
Celtic Spring.....the Druids, the Henges......Pagan Britain. You have a feel of that in Springtime




The Spring time a new beginning.




How cheerful those Spring flowers, a hope for things to come............

Linking with

A Crow came today............

I always leave my bathroom window slightly open so that I can take pictures of my birds. Today I had made Split Pea and Ham soup. The ham had a rind on it and so after I cut that off I put it out so the birds could have a go at the fat. Well, it was a great success. The Starlings were all over it. My husband came home and SHUT the bloody window.............I went and looked out and low and behold a Crow.......sitting on the path. Of course I could not open the window without scaring the birds, and of course the Crow went up in the tree. Darn it. I took one shot through the window.


I did at least manage to get a picture of him in the tree. I hope he comes back. I will have to rememeber to throw out some meat now and then and get those Crows down. The Starlings love it too.


My little friend was back



What a pest the squirrela are, but they are cute arn't they. So is this little chap. The Tuffted Titmouse.






Here is a new little guy today



Someone has a mouth full



Not much else is interesting today......the snow is still coming down and its still really cold. Poor things, I am going to buy extra bread because they get through quite a bit every day, dont just put out scraps now. So will have to start buying specials for the birds.

New Bird pictures..............

Lets begin with a view of the deck.....the grapevine to the left is the haven of Chickdees who wait in there for bigger birds to get out of the way. There is a certain amount of shelter too when its snowing or raining. I stand at the window with it open to take the pictures and hear them nattering to each other in there. They often don't see me, but dont seem to mind in any case. Unlike the bigger birds who seem more cautious.


The bird feeders are far enough away that they dont mind me too much. This guy was hiding in the burning bush, and I did not see who it was.



The Chickadees were very happy with the selection of food. Notice the one with the seed in the air?? He looks as though he tossed it and was in the midst of catching his treat


The Mourning Dove was not going to give up her spot to the Starlings.



The Red Bellied Woodpecker would not stay while I was at the window. He sulked in the tree no doubt coming back when I left.




This Chickadee would have rubbed his hands in glee had he had some......was delighted with his find



We get the same old visitors, I would love it if some of the transient birds would stop in on their way back north. Don't suppose that will be any time soon. I have not seen any Waxwings in ages, we used to get those quite often. Instead the Nuthatch came today.



This BlueJay was looking like a cat got him. Didn't stop him tucking in though.




Only one Squirrel today, they are supposed to semi hibernate but they come about every day and really deplete the stash.



meanwhile I went out the front to take pictures and was followed by Tristen in his Granddads slippers. His feet were covered in snow. I turned around to see him behind me. I only had shoes on and no socks so could not say much as we were mid calf in snow...........

On his way back he could not turn with Granddads slippers on and lost them by the time he got to the steps........he said his feet were "fweezin"


Granddad asked why his slippers were full of snow..................

I am joining this post with Mosaic Monday at Little red house with thanks