Thanks to inspiration from Dawn and her good friend Birdy, our family has a new friend. "Woody" joined our gardens a few days ago and the children are delighted!
He must share his tree with our suet holder that has been attracting many Downy and Red- Bellied woodpeckers, as well as the usual squirrels that attempt each day to carry the whole thing away. At Woody's base are some signs that Spring is progressing nicely. The Lily of the Valley are beginning to bud, hosta is greening up and the ferns are peeping their heads out of the soil. These are a few of the plants growing in the shady areas of our flower beds.
We will be making our May baskets ala Alice this afternoon to deliver to friends and relatives. I'll post some photos of the baskets when they are finished. Included in our baskets will be some of the lilac blossoms that are growing in our yard
as well as some sprigs of Sand Cherry.
In bird news, we are excited to have an Eastern Screech Owl living in one of our maple trees. Early in the evening, about a half hour after sunset, she has been emerging from the hole and flying around the yard. Two summers ago, we had a family of 5 screech owls that emerged from the same hole. I am anxiously waiting to see whether there will be a new family this Spring.
I am going to try to see if I can catch her on film. The combination of darkness and elusiveness of the owl makes it an improbability but I will give it my best "shot".