Don't you love how the berry grows out of the center of the flower? I do.
I'm very glad my neighbor Rosie gardens -- and does it well. Her yard is already abloom and more is coming! I get a great garden, just looking out of the window!
Speaking of lovely things, does honeysuckle make you smile? On a recent walk to the ditch I was assailed by one of my favorite fragrances, honeysuckle. On closer look I found it.
I didn't know honeysuckle could grow into a tree. But as you can see from near the top of this one, it almost hits the power lines.
I have strong sense memory of honeysuckle -- a lovely day traveling with a friend in New England decades ago. (It also reminds me of taking the fire exit door from the stairway in the building where I used to work!) It was a treat and I hope it sticks around a bit.
I can't say I'm all that fond of three paintings I did in my sketchbook as part of Este MacLeod's ColoriCombo challenge. The challenge "requires" that you used several specific colors and a neutral (black/white/gray, etc.) and work with a theme. Here were several greens and a neutral Payne's Gray. The theme for this challenge was "plants."
I had the most marvelous experience on my recent Ditch walk. It was a perfect blue-sky day and my Merlin app was picking up all kinds of birds, the most vocal of which was the red-winged blackbird. I paused and noticed some action in the grasses between two of the ponds and a closer look with a zoom showed me this.
Well, that was cute enough. Curious, I decided to wait and it wasn't too long before they were joined by another.
And soon the feeding began.
I'm guessing this is a female red-winged blackbird, based on my Merlin and the wee bit of red on her wing area -- but I'm waiting for confirmation! (And I got it from David! Thanks!)
She came back a couple times, then disappeared for a long while. The kids were getting antsy, starting to move around in their nest, sitting tall. Finally, one decided to check out the buffet for himself. (The photo is a little dark, but the flying bird is on the right.)
The other was slower. He couldn't seem to get the wing action right, flapping but not quite getting anywhere.
Finally, he made it to another branch -- and then he was off! It was quite an experience to watch. I don't know that it was their first fledge, but it was still lovely.
A quick check in on the goslings -- as you can see, they are getting darker every day -- and slightly bigger.
On this warm day, everyone was taking a rest. I was worried that the parents wouldn't let me pass -- they were close to the sidewalk and both were on guard. But they didn't seemed concerned. I suspect they are relatively used to passersby.
They just crack me up when they sprawl out! You never see the adults sit that way.
I leave you with a bit of beauty.
I might have to try to paint this. No rules.
Sharing with: Talking About It Tuesday / Rain's Art Date / Share Your Style / Friday Face-Off / Saturday's Critters
67 comments:
You got some wonderful shots of the little birds.
All the flowers are also so pretty.. your strawberries are coming along beautifully as well.
Oh, the last picture is like a Monet painting. What fun it would be to paint.
Love the little ducklings and little blackbirds too. What a treat to see. I am always amazed that we have arrived to another year at the lake and Rick is up there opening up the cabin. How time does fly. I love, love your owl picture and it would indeed be great for Halloween. I remember honeysuckle as a kid and sipping the sweet syrup in the flowers. Your neighbor must love allium. I don't think I have seen a garden with so many. Hope you get some yummy strawberries. Enjoy!!!
I like your three paintings. You've got talent, no doubt of that.
Hopefully, you grow some small, tasty strawberries in your garden!
Nice, pink colored bench!
Love the water lilies. Such cute fledglings and goslings. Do keep taking photos of those little ones. Adorable. Yes, you should paint!
...no, honeysuckle doesn't make me smile, it's invasive!!!
I can almost get the scent of your flowers. Honeysuckle is a beautiful plant, altho it can take over anything in its way.
Wow, that last photo is especially gorgeous!!
I wish I could have teleported you to the art show at Paul's school last week. We did have to abruptly leave because the toddler was not cooperating... but they had art on display for all of the classes (K-5) and I was so impressed. I am hoping to take pictures of the 2 other pieces of Paul's that I wasn't able to see since we left before touring the last room - I'll email them over to you as I think you'll appreciate them! His art teacher is retiring this year and is leaving HUGE shoes to fill! She has taught at that school for over 30 years and was so very good at what she did!
What a great photo of the red-winged blackbird feeding her wee ones. Your sketches are delightful, and I really like the bunny one. I've never smelled honeysuckle. I'm sure it has such a pretty scent. And I love the view in your neighbor, Rosie's, garden. Sometimes these simple, nothing extraordinary happening, are the best posts. I enjoyed this one very much, Jeanie.
~Sheri
Your bird photography is blessing me so much!
Fun bird-watching! That yellow honeysuckle is invasive here, but I love the native red honeysuckle ☺️We had some in my yard when I was a child.
A quiet week can be a nice thing, if you enjoy one that is. Your neighbor's garden is gorgeous. But gardening is not for everyone. But honeysuckle...it reminds me of a spring trip in Virginia when we stopped at a rest area and the air smells so sweet. Honeysuckle smells as wonderful as lilacs. And you got some amazing photos at the ditch. Those red-winged blackbird babies are amazing. Enjoy the rest of your week, and I hope you get up to your cottage soon. hugs-Erika
Oh wow; I love that capture of the fledglings! I guess I have only ever seen the male red wing black birds before.
Jeanie your post made me smile! Darling red winged chicks, darling goslings and fragrant honeysuckle. Though it is invasive, I love the fragrance! We pass a huge one on our walks as well. Love your neighbors alliums! So beautiful as are your strawberry plants. Yummy days ahead!
You might be surprised with how many strawberries you get! Gardening has sent me to the physiotherapist on more than one occasion, but I’m compelled to do it! Ha ha! - Jenn
I haven't smelled live honeysuckle--only in products like soaps or lotions but I remember I liked it.
The young red-winged blackbirds were so cute! I've never seen so many here as I have this spring. Also glad to see all six baby geese, too.
I like to see your art! For me, it feels so good to have a paintbrush in hand again once in a while--as well as doodling with ink pens, too. I am so ready to be organizing my new studio. I must be patient. ;)
Enjoy the benefits of being out in the fresh air Jeanie. Soon it'll be time to open up the cabin and enjoy the lake and surrounding woodland area. I look forward to photos of your time spent in that delightful spot.
Enjoy the view of your neighbour's garden Jeanie. The thought of picking your ripe strawberries fills me with pleasure. The strawberry flowers look pretty and have the potential to give you lots of fruit in a month or two. Meanwhile, enjoy your interest in producing your wonderful artwork.
I like your owl painting. The nature photos are original and natural looking.
Hello Jeanie,
Your neighbor's flowers are lovely. I hope you have a good strawberry harvest.
Your art work is pretty. The blackbird family is so cute and I love the sweet goslings. Have a great day and a happy week ahead!
Miriam and I both agree, the garden is great, the gardening not so much. The garden was always her “thing” but she is finding it arduous these days to do the work that’s necessary- and never ending too.
There is much to appreciate in this post, from strawberries (I never knew about that) to your neighbour's alliums, and much more. But your sighting of the birds must have been quite wonderful.
Perfect ditch walk..and isn'Your bunny is adorbs:)t painting just so zen-like?Rosie's allium globes are gorgeous..
Wow, Jeanie. It is amazing that you could come so close to the bird feeding her young. Wonderful. So many beautiful photos and motives here. Love the colours.
It is so hard not to get out in the garden and beds when the mood hits! Lovely strawberry plants. You definitely have a beautiful view of your neighbors garden. Honeysuckle is a southern favorite and the scent is magical. I have a Confederate Jasmin on my fence and it's a lot like honeysuckle. Your paintings are lovely! Hope you are enjoying the week.............
Wonderful photos and drawings, Jeanie. Yes, they(birds) get big so fast...we are dodging storms here, still haven't had time for photos. Will have to sneak out for a few in between the rain and wind.
My wood-strawberries from 1974 are already red and soon ready to eat!
Love your sketches! And the birds... HUNGRY! ;-)
I just love your posts from the cottage. They call me back to my youth when my family was opening up our cottage and weeding an over grown garden and taking long breaks to look to marvel over the wildlife.
I enjoyed your post very much-had me smiling! and how awesome to be able to enjoy your neighbors gardens so close. we had honeysuckle growing on an oak tree at our woods home.
Love your paintings too-hugs
Kathy
What wonderful photographs of the red-winged blackbirds, lovely to see.
The goslings are so sweet.
That last picture is beautiful and would make a very nice painting.
All the best Jan
That last picture almost doesn't seem real. you have been busy I bet you can't wait to get back to the cottage.
Cathy
How wonderful to witness the little Red-winged Blackbirds! That must have made your day. Your neighbor indeed has a lovely garden, those alliums are so beautiful. I belong to those people who love to garden, and I thoroughly missed it during those weeks I couldn't garden due to the knee surgery. Thankfully I'm out there again and it makes me feel so content. I think the honeysuckle you saw is a Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), highly invasive - no wonder it was climbing into the tree. And I see that you are over-critical with your art whereas I think you did well. What is it that you don't like about them? When are you going up to the cottage?
Lovely to see your artwork and all these wonderful photos! Thank you Jeanie! I hope your eyes are improving!
I don't want to be Debbie Downer, so I'll let MSU tell you the story on your honeysuckle. It grows down here, too, and I'll agree that the fragrance is lovely -- but it's a terrible, invasive thug.
Your experience with the baby birds was utterly charming. I've only found a nest with young'uns once, but it was wonderful fun to watch them. And isn't it amazing how quickly your goslings are growing. Good for them -- every bit of growth makes their survival more likely.
Your painting of the owl really appeals to me. I couldn't figure out what kind of vibe it was putting off, and I finally decided it's Egyptian. I think it's the stylize form. Interesting how art can stir our mental connections.
I love the smell of honeysuckle! Your baby bird pictures are delightful. I imagine you smiling the whole time you are at the ditch.
Wonderful Alliums and I also did not know honeysuckle grew that tall. Mine is a vine. Loved seeing the pics of the baby red wings and the goslings. All too cute. The lily pads are starting to bloom here. Some even are yellow. Good luck with your strawberries. Janice
Oh my goodness those little baby goslings. That is hysterical. They are like cats!
I love that owl painting that you did! It sort of reminds me of Charley Harper a bit. And it would be a cool Halloween piece!
Your days at the cottage are coming up! What a nice thing to look forward to. :)
Good Morning, my friend! I enjoyed all 3 of your paintings. As you said, the last one will be perfect for Halloween. From baby birds to goslings, how fun to see the Spring babies!
I can't wait to see you paint that last picture. It looks like a Monet in the works.
Honeysuckle is one of my favorite spring fragrances! We have it growing high on several trees. The ditch is a happening place with birds and their babies! That last photo is a winner, just beautiful! Happy Wednesday, Jeanie!
Your feeding sequence with the redwings is fabulous!
best, mae
A fellow birder told me about a mockingbird nest in the low trees at Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary a few weeks back. It's the first time I was ever able to see up close a bird nest and watch the parents feed the young. I'm so glad you got to see this red-winged blackbird nest!
That last photo is definitely paint-worthy.
I love your photos from the ditch. It’s always great to see new life brought into this world. Of the three paintings , I particularly love the owl against the yellow moon. It will be perfect for Halloween. Your very last photo will be spectacular in a painting! Right now I’m knee deep into the cottage and literally rearranging my creative space. We’re going to be on a first name basis with Goodwill before long!
That last pic looks like a Monet. And I love the garden with purple flowers!
What a wonderful post, Jeanie! I loved the baby redwing blackbirds and the goslings. What a joy to see new life. I enjoyed your art pieces too. I haven't smelled honeysuckle flowers in a long time, but it's one of my most favorite fragrances. My Grandmother MacBeath had a bush in her garden in Charlottetown, and I've never forgotten that scent. Enjoy your spring days and may you get up to your cottage soon! Hugs to you!
jeanie, why stay home and garden when you can enjoy your neighbor's blooms and also why stay home when you can go for a walk at the ditch and see some beautifies of nature, including the young birds starting to fledge and the goslings, cute for awhile longer.
I like your paintings Jeanie. You got some great shots of the birds. The little goslings are so cute :-)
Our cat was chased by the goose parents recently! They can be pretty vicious.
Lots of baby birds romping around here. The wee blue jays are LOUD. The baby robins are quiet but the parents are pretty darn vocal.
OMGosh that last photo looks like a painting. Beautiful.
And what a joy to see a young one's maiden voyage. You had all kinds of wonders on your outing. Thanks for sharing.
Super nice photos in this post! LOVE your painting, especially the bunny :D
Have you ever tried growing strawberries in pots? I have, and it was a flop.
Your neighborhood is beautiful, BTW...
Lovely post! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing your walk in words and fabulous art
Much♡love
Lovely bird feeding sequence and memorable impression (pun intended) that last pic! 😉
oh your paintings are beautiful, so filled with color and light and whimsy. i've been thinking of setting up a corner of the table on the porch with my watercolor things. visiting with you is good motivation, friend!
Enjoy your strawberries. Our local ones are in right now. Yum! I love your paintings.
Great pictures of the red wing blackbirds.. Baby birds are so fun. David would be the perfect one for confirmation. It was probably its first fledge.. I'm not sure but I believe they do not come back once they leave..
The water lilies would make a very nice painting.
Strawberries fresh from the garden.
They will be so tasty!
Great photos of the redwing and little birdies.
Love your artwork, Jeanie.
I have the Merline app as well. Love it! Your bird photos are amazing.
Hope you grow just enough strawberries to make you happy.
I forgot to mention that I love your paintings.
Oh Jeanie ... it has been awhile since I've been here. Your garden reminds me of my Grandfather (long gone, but lived to be 99). He had a massive strawberry patch. He picked berries and shared them with his neighbors and family(my Aunt, Uncle and two cousins). They all lived an 8 hour drive from us so we didn't see them as often as we would have liked, but we did manage to get over there often when the strawberries were ripe :) I am happy for you that you have Honeysuckle near you. I haven't had the pleasure in a long while.
I can't imagine why you wouldn't be pleased with your art pieces. I think they are all lovely and I especially love the Owl. It almost speaks to their personalities rather than their actual appearance.
When we lived by the lake, there was another small lake right across the Wisconsin border that had a large area of reeds along the side where Red Wing Blackbirds nested. I was never able to spot a nest, but often saw the fledglings and was always ambushed by the parents. I have some wonderful memories and pictures of those times. I love your pictures of the goslings. We had goslings and ducklings(both Mallard and Wood Duck) every spring. Now that we moved, I don't see many, but as I drive home from my friends, I drive along the Fox River and this year there is a family of Geese with the goslings right along side the road. They seem to always be in the same area and I have watched them grow each day. And leave it to David ... everyone's favorite Bird expert :) He is the best! The water lilies will make a lovely painting and soon they may have some blooms. Beautiful, beautiful post, Jeanie ... enjoyed it all and loved that it brought up some fond memories. Happy Spring to you and your family :)
Andrea @ From the Sol
So many sweet photos, Jeanie. Love the neighbor's garden and your cute strawberries. There's nothing like home-grown. The store berries are so tasteless these days. I like your paintings and I think you did a good job with the challenges. Honeysuckle is the scent of spring, I think. I have one, and it has taken a few years to get large enough to have some blooms. Those are great shots of the baby birds and goslings. They are so tiny and vulnerable, it's just amazing that they are able to survive all the dangers. So nice to look forward to summers at the lake house again. Looking forward to seeing all the fun this year. xx K
Hi Jeanie, I just have to agree with you that honeysuckle is one of those scents that transports me to a good time growing up. We have it growing wild along our walk path in the neighborhood and it immediately carries me to another, simple time. I love seeing all the small beauties of spring. Thank you for sharing the beauty.
Honeysuckle DOES make me smile and I love seeing your young ducks. I picked some ripe blackberries yesterday and they are yummy. Here....try one! heehee!
Hello Jeanie,
I just wanted to stop back and say thank your for linking up and sharing your post. I enjoyed the series of feeding time and the sweet goslings. I also love the scent of honeysuckle. Take care, have a great day and Happy Memorial Day weekend. PS, thanks so much for leaving me a comment.
Ohhh another wonderful post. Your strawberries are doing fantastically!! Thank you again for sharing with FFO.
I like your paintings from the challenge Jeanie, especially the first one with the rabbit. You captured some great nature photos on your walk, the baby birds and those cute goslings! That last photo of the lily pads looks like a Money painting, yes, you should definitely paint that!!
Jenna
Your last photo is so 'Monetish'. The baby blackbird photos are precious, and you were so lucky to happen upon them. What an experience to remember. I do like your floral painting.
Jeanie, I like your paintings, especially the one of the owl. Really quite wonderful. Doesn't look like a Halloween card to me, just a beautiful all-occasion card to be used any time of year. Gorgeous, and Iris would love it, I'm sure! Your bird photography is really special. You have a gift for it.
Wonderful photos of the fledglings. The paintings are lovely. I look forward to seeing your painting of the last photo.
-Soma
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