Proof!

This yellow variant House Finch is a permanent resident in my yard. He's got quite the song. He trills from high in the trees as good as any canary. (incorrect grammar aside)

Here's proof at my own feeder!

Spring Jewel

In the four years I've owned my home and the year I've lived in it, I've never seen my cherry tree bloom before. It's taller than my house even. I just love being greeted by this scene when I arrive home.

I'm reminded of popcorn, cotton candy and even bubble bath suds.


The best part of standing under the boughs is the constant hum of bees and the clicking of hummers. Both are having a field day supping from the blooms.

Spring gone wild!

My friend Yvonne and I walked through her Portland neighborhood yesterday afternoon. At 75 degrees, my cotton jacket was tied around my waist.

Rows of flowering plum lined many streets.


I knew about tulip magnolia blooms ...


But I didn't know that so many trees flowered before they leafed out.


Gardeners were out and ready to respond. We talked to at least half a dozen.


It seems that my own cherry tree went from buds to blooms in a single day. I even had to mow the lawn!


Another view -- during a late afternoon siesta. Cotton candy or pink popcorn come to mind.

A Break in the Weather

Last Friday the weather broke up and we got sun!

















A walk along Salmon Creek revealed buds already well developed. Flora and fauna seem to know it's spring.

These hillside thickets have yet to don its spring colors.

The Evanescence of Spring

This has been the soggiest time of year since I moved here almost a year ago. The tulip bloom is a week late already.

This morning, during what proved to be a brief interlude in the rain (note sunny boughs on lower left) I went out doors to check up on my lettuce seedlings. Copious plumes of steam were wafting off of my own roof and those of my neighbors. At first I thought it was chimney smoke.

In just a few minutes it was over. (It's a lot prettier in a forest -- to which the French say, "the wolves are tending their ovens".)

Did You Know?

I've been away on retreat contemplating emptiness and spaciousness. It is amazing a) that our minds are so chaotic and "busy" and 2) that they can calm down to stillness.

Ahhhhh. Or should I say, Om.

In the meantime, I received this YouTube video detailing some jaw-dropping statistics on our changing world.

Bird Highway

The weather may be hard to read, but the birds aren't confused. The jays are building nests. The chickadees are chasing each other with renewed fervor.

I spied a Downy Woodpecker who took great interest in my suet cube. It's not much bigger than a sparrow. (web photo)


I believe that's a Lesser Goldfinch on the bottom.


This beautiful Rufus Hummingbird has started coming by every afternoon around 4PM. He's quite punctual.




And perhaps my most unusual visitor was the yellow variant of the House Finch. (web photo) The best photo can be seen here.