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Friday, July 19, 2013

The Garden Lives On . . . As Do We . . .

Though my gardening efforts have been sidelined since the acquisition of Hankie Mutt:


And shall most likely remain so upon the doubling of our canine pack:


The action amongst the flora and fauna of our partial acre of Middle Tennessee continues to bustle and buzz along.  I thought a guided tour might bring a smile to your face, beginning with this tenacious bumbler I happened upon during a walk earlier this week.  He's actually rolling around in the dropped stamens of a magnolia blossom -- the bloom so large as to allow for this wanton and leisurely collection of pollen.  (I took this with my iPhone and edited with Instagram.  It's my favorite pic of the week.)   


Next up, a series of sparrow shots.  I never tire of these ubiquitous consumers.  Their energy is admirable and their chatter amiable.  Each year, I look forward to watching them feed on the sunflowers and other sprouted seeds which spring up from their spilled meals.  It allows me a more natural peek at their feeding habits.






My husband laid eyes upon the goldfinch for the first time this summer.  You'd have thought he'd discovered actual gold!  It rather tickled me.  Though my mother's feeders play host to a generous population of both the bright yellow males and the olive-oil-hued females, our yard usually doesn't attract them.  But this year they received the memo and sent three couples to enjoy our avian bed and breakfast amenities.  Thus far, my camera has only captured the males in various activities.




Other birds are far less flashy.  Far less vociferous.  Yet still noticed and beloved.




As much as our feathered friends tickle my fancy, their food sources (for some species) interest me just as much.  The insect world is rich with diversity and color.  And the lines of curious onlookers aren't nearly as long as many folks are a bit fearful or repulsed by the poor dears.





Lest I forget the green of it all, how about a few shots of the plants perking along.  My Japanese fern has spread itself out quite generously -- I'm thinking it's time to divide and multiply this beauty!


This riot of color caught my attention while the suds were collecting atop the dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.  My butterfly-bush-gone-wild lavender sprays contrasted quite handsomely against a background of my neighbor's hot pink blooming crape myrtles.


And reining over it all in the peaceful calm of the night sky was the moon.  Waxing.  Waning. Promising a chance of coolness for the next several hours before his cousin comes on duty.






And finally, apropos of nothing more than sheer fun, a few images which I don't think you should be without.  I mean, who DOESN'T want to see a sauteed mushroom from my Five Guys burger in the shape of a cowboy boot?  Or one of the multiple manifestations of my morning hair? My neighbor boy's corn snake warming up to a bit of bling?  The world's sweetest lab?  My favorite guitarist?  Earth Divas splitting their sides wide open in companionable laughter?  Evidence that my mom-in-law lavishes way too much affection upon her grand animals? My son hamming it up with the athletic grace of his man-almost-boy form?  A 'hidden door' on our town square?  A scarred crystal pendant sunning itself at my daughter's wedding venue? . . . and the remains of Gracie Helen's favorite stuffed toy?












Good night.  Peace out, rainbow trout!


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