Good Morning Everyone!
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check out my two new posts at
http://www.captivatingwoman.blogspot.com/

See you there!

Surprises

Its another winter/spring day in Sequim. We've had pouring rain, sunshine and now snow! But the best thing is a flock of trumpeter swans in the field across the road from my house.
God knows how special they are to me! I couldn't get very good shots with the weather, time of day and my little camera - but I did save the memory.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.

1 John 4:18a

Rialto Beach, Wa

A friend and I went to Rialto Beach today.
Its one of the many beaches on the
west coast of Washington State -
about a 2 hour drive from here.
As soon as we walked up the embankment or
driftwood, the first waves made me scream with
delight! They were SO awesome!
It was a fabulous day!

Snow in Sequim? In February?

In the beginning ... there was this beautiful morning!

I was happy to see that the sun now reaches the feeder station

and the birds looked happy out there.
But...this afternoon! Sequim has had rain, hail and SNOW! ! !

THEN...

While I was catching snow photos :)

the Varied Thrush returned! ! !

You never know what a day will bring forth!

Sweet Treat!

It was busy this morning at the feeders again! So much activity! A pine siskin was on the cotton ball I had put out yesterday, and I watched to see if she was going to start 'pulling' fluff out.
For an extended period of time, she was busy with something else. She had a seed. I couldn't believe all the attention she gave it. She picked it up, twirled it around in her beak, put it down and did that over and over again! I just happen to have my camera there, and got a bit of it for you to see.
Notice also, the handsome robin coming out of the background! Enjoy! and may your hearts be filled with the joy of the new spring songs in your backyards!

The hedges are alive with the sound of music! ! !

This morning my yard looked like an airport version of Grand Central Station. Birds flying in every direction, in all sorts of patterns - sometimes looking like B52 bombers, some like butterflies, some like darts. It was a glorious sight! And when I opened the door, the air was vibrating with bird songs! It was a glorious sound!
The ones that caught my attention were 3 very fat robins, the spotted towhee was back, a varied thrush, and many pine siskins, finches, juncos, sparrows, a couple of chickadees and Faith was back! ! ! WHAT FUN! ! !
Then Jeff noticed that some birds are already checking out the bird houses, so, I put out one of those cotton balls that my friend gave me at Christmas.

My photography skills have to be sharpened up again :) But, I don't mind, because I'll be practicing on my favorite subjects --- Welcome home birdies!

Plant Suggestions, Anyone?

The weather can be deceiving here on the Olympic Peninsula at this time of year. Since we don't get a huge amount of snow - sometimes none at all - and the temperatures stay between 30 and 45 degrees, you can often think that Spring is right around the corner.
The garden nurseries bring in quite a few 'winter flowers' - primroses, pansies, etc. and then there's the whole selection of 'bare root trees'. So the gardeners here are busy planting quite early in the year! We can even grow some vegetables all winter and lots of seeds have been put in the soil already - lettuces, spinach, kale, sweet peas soon.
I am thinking about Phase II of the Bird Sanctuary Dream and because everyone here is gearing up for planting, I thought I would take a 'Survey' of sorts. Here's my question:
~~What is your experience with plants/flowers that the birds enjoy?~~
What do you recommend for 'food providers' all throughout the year? I'll look forward to any suggestions you might have :)
I haven't been posting much lately because things are pretty quiet at the feeders. But, as soon as anything comes up, I'll be sure to let you know! Thanks for being such an encouraging flock of friends! Have a beautiful day!

Quote for Today

"Close friends contribute to our personal growth.
They also contribute to our personal pleasure,
making the music sound sweeter,
the wine taste richer,
the laughter ring louder
because they are there."
Judith Viorst