This blog is about my garden and the outdoors. I am new to photography but I am trying to show some of the pretty things that grow here in Michigan. I love the wild things who visit me and I dont mind if they eat a bit here and there. I like it more if they let me take their picture. As time goes on I think I will try to show you around the beautiful area that I live in as well as my garden. I try to use my own pictures as much as possible but will also use pictures from the web. If I inadvertently use your photo or work without permission please email me and I will remove it or give credit if you prefer. I will give credit when I know who the owner is. I would ask that anyone using my pictures do the same.
... I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.......Psalm23:6
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Monday, April 27, 2015

A few things to prove its Springtime..........

Yes it's here, it really is. I even went to the store to get garden stuff. i am so excited. I got some mulch and today I finished spreading that and raking the front garden. Now down to the nitty gritty. I must turn over some of the dirt and get things loosened up. Help the worms out airing out the soil. Maybe tomorrow.
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I have my fountains working. I moved them to new spots so I can see the birds enjoying them. I rearranged the bird feeders. I am happy to report the fish are doing fine. The young one who is black is now turning orange, you can see it now.
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The garden is looking good, as good as it can before anything begins to grow.
Another good sign of Spring around here are the babies, the Olson buffalo herd. Baby buffs.
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I just had to stop to take some pictures. I kept meaning to but things just kept on happening and so they are getting big already.
Well while we were watching two big boys were fighting. That was fun to watch, I guess they were not too serious like they may be in the wild but hey, it was fun to watch.
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Then there were the ones having a dust bath
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Then we saw a baby all on its own. We were a bit worried about it, then mum goes over and kicks it and up he gets and trots off just fine. There are a few small ones yet, but most are half grown now.
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Well, back to the garden. I have enjoyed the birds all winter and now not too many come to the feeders. I suppose they are busy with nests and families and are finding food just fine. The Chickadees still come, the Cardinal now and then and the yellow finches pop in now and then.
A couple of days ago I saw my first butterfly. WOW.....no butterfly last year and now one already. It came to the fountain I had moved. Maybe this is a good sign????
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Maybe they came last year and I just didn't see them? Well I will be watching close this year
I am linking up with The Dedicated House, Make it pretty Monday
also with Inspire Me Monday

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Finally.................

I think it's here, I really do....Spring that is. The Snowdrops are really showing off at the moment. It rained yesterday and today I see Hyacinth popping through.
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I spent today raking the front yard. What a mess it is out there at this time of year. The back we finished a few days ago. I don't like to leave the back when I am on a roll but the front had to get a start. I am pooped. It felt so good to get started though. Gerry said he had raked but I got about 4 wheel barrow loads out there to the curb today. I can now see what's coming up.
I moved the fountain from the front to the back. I like to make things look different. We seldom if ever sit out front so I will enjoy the fountain out the back now, I can see the birds making use of it.
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It needs a new pump. I moved the little boy fountain into a corner that we can see as well. I will redo his area this year, from where he used to be. I am enjoying getting outside and getting enthused at the changes.
The fish showed up. I was a bit worried but all 4 are there.
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I moved my small fences to encircle some of the flower beds, in the hope of keeping Tristen's feet off the gardens. We moved his play house. We cut down a Rose of Sharon bush, it was straggly and I was not fond of it. SO we put his house there and moved his sand box next to it. I am hoping to keep him contained in one area. Yeh like that will work.
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It's still looking a mess at the moment but we will be working on that. AT least it's confined to one area now. I have to figure out what I want to do in the back shade area now. Its nice to have it back with out all the toys and sand box.
That will probably be my summer project. Meanwhile I disturbed this guy.
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I was watching a small woodpecker across the road.
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The poodles are enjoying being able to get outside. They love just sitting on the deck if Tristen is not around. You can see in this picture the edging that I put around. I would like to find some more. I got that several years ago and have used it somewhere different every year. It's heavy and I have not found any more like it.
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The water Iris is growing back, its a pretty yellow plant and the fish love to hide in its roots
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Look at the leaves popping
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Every day they get bigger and open a little more. The other trees are tight buds, this a a type of Maple. I think a silver maple. I have been watching the birds. We must have a Cardinal nesting close by because he is up at the crack of dawn every day in the tree outside my bedroom. He hangs out in the back yard, I can hear him now. Noisy little beggar. Good to see them nice ad healthy though after such a cold winter.