DEJA DES OISEAUX

Please pardon my digression to the topic of birds in this post. But then why not digress to a topic related to gardening? After all, 'gardening isn't separate from other aspects of life, but is part of the whole' (I couldn't have said it any better than C.L. did...click on the link to see her blog.)

Who hasn't welcomed an unexpected plant sprouting in a garden bed? A relative of mine found a ceanothus growing in one of his garden beds before it became wildly popular here in the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes the birds give us fun discoveries like that...

Here are a few of my fine-feathered-friends who have visited.

Back for buffleheads?

Kingfisher...sportin' a cool 'do.

American Wigeons wiggling away.

Cormorant being the center of attention.

Hungry robin chicks.

Watchful robin.

Who's this wee, shy, lightening-fast bird, hiding amongst the vines?

Fly away, fly away (sing it, Lenny!)...

Time for me to fly away and continue with my day. Hope you have a good day, wherever you may be.

~Aerie-el

FALL

The season seems to have turned the corner to cooler weather, with snows on the mountain passes last night, and temperatures forecast only in the high 40s near Seattle during the day. Seems that winter is just around the corner.

The leaves have almost all fallen, but the wisteria (above)

apparently doesn't want to give up it's leaves just yet.

Can't you just feel the chill in the air as you see
these naked cottonwood trees above?

I saw this apple hanging on...
and started humming 'before the next teardrop falls'
but substituted the words,
'until the last apple falls'...

FALL

~Aerie-el

RED COLORS

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year, especially living in a location where the seasonal change is evident by the change in foliage, floral displays, and falling rain...

I looked south and there was sun and blue skies.
Look to the north and there were clouds and a rainbow.

The stewartia tree's leaves were stunning in their sharp red colors. The leaves on the upper branches had already fallen, so I was happy to catch this shot of some still on the branches.

Above is a photo of some of the plants that were growing
in the riparian area (along the water's shoreline) when I moved here.
I love the red branches-they remain to bring so much color for the winter.

~Aerie-el

CALENDULA COLORS

Beautiful flowers, aren't they? But what is the plural of calendula...calendulae? calenduli? just plain old 'calendulas'? (I know there's one of you out there with lots of Latin and/or horticultural knowledge!)


Whatever the plural noun is, the calendula flowers are in bloom now and brighten the cottage garden as it begins to prepare for its winter sleep.

Sweet dreams...

~Aerie-el

AUTUMN ARRIVES

Like on wings, autumn has arrived.

Migrations are more evident with so many transitory birds.
Although I enjoy them all, I find the buffleheads to be so striking
with their black-and-white colors.

Not only are there changes in the bird populations here now,
but also with the plants.
Check out this little bird in the vibrant red of the viburnum.

The ginkgo leaves haven't turned their glowing gold yet,
but they are still so lovely.


There are lots more colors to share next time...Until then...

~Aerie-el