April has turned into May.... the redbud is nearly gone, but the dogwood is more beautiful than ever. I've really enjoyed being in Ohio this spring.... most years it's just a quick visit and time to move on, but this year our stay will be nearly a month long.
Time for Bill to get a few things done with the rentals...
Seems a house as big as this one is always in need of fresh paint.
That's Bill on the left... and if any of you remember when we were in Texas the massive job that Bill & Victor, our son-in-law, did on our motorhome a few months ago... that's Victor on the right. Yeah, Victor lives in Texas, but is currently doing a consulting job in West Virginia, so came over to our place for the weekend. Seems we put him to work no matter where we all are....
If that 2nd coat of paint looks to be a different color, you're right... it is. Guess the Lowe's paint mixer didn't read the numbers right from the lid of the old can. When it's all done it will be okay, but right now it kind of looks like a patchwork quilt.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of May and the church I go to here in Athens had their May Crowning...
Guess my shot of the statue of Mary is pretty blurry, but you get the idea... kids with flowers and a little girl carrying the May Crown... music.... all very nice.
Painting, May Crowning, trees in bloom... all signs of Spring...
And, of course... the birds...
These two Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been fighting over one of the feeders.
Actually, the bird on the left is doing the fighting.... he's very possessive of that feeder and whenever any other hummer comes for a drink, he chases it away.
I have 3 feeders out so there's really no need to be so darned territorial...
But... birds will be birds...
So the battle goes on.
Yesterday I heard what at first I thought was a mockingbird. Didn't sound quite right... then I remembered that Bill told me that he'd heard a Yellow-breasted chat the day before. Hmmm... is that what I'm hearing?
Nope...
This Brown thrasher was quite entertaining for at least a half hour...
One thing about moving thousands of miles each year is a person has to remember what kind of critters are in the current habitat, terrain, climate etc. It's always a joy to hear and see a familiar creature when we return to a place... like catching up with an old friend we haven't seen for a while.
We'll be here another week or so before heading on up to Maine.... Bill will do more work on the rentals.... I'll do some more geocaching..... and in the evenings, we'll sit outside (yes, the weather is beautiful!) and enjoy the sounds of the wood thrush.
American Goldfinch in his summer plumage.... looks like a drop of sunlight!
And... that's the end.
That's All For Today!
It must be lovely seeing the states in various seasons and great wildlife and nature opportunity. I'm envious of your hummingbirds and mockingbirds. We need to introduce them to the British countryside.
ReplyDeleteGeocaching, I have to look into that. Part 1 will be finding out what it is :)
Enjoy your time on the farm--it looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow!! You are sure going to need a taller ladder.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a hummer who thought he owned all three feeders, and spent his day flying over the house, front yard to back, to attack any interloper. The hummers are just back these last two or three days; I haven't looked closely to sort out Hitler, as we named him. I learned the birds are a week late; a massive cold front held them back. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI find it so amazing that these birds are all so beautiful, each in their own way. Different colors, sizes and personalities. Such fun to watch. Now that I think about it, wouldn't it be wonderful if people were all appreciated like birds are? :)
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to see the birds making their way north. Always a treat! And that is a big paint job. It looks like one of those big blue construction lifts is in order!
ReplyDeleteI love to paint, with a brush. That second color looks exactly the color of this house! The hummers sure are territorial, here too. My friend, who gave me my feeder, had to put up three more at her place, out of sight of one another, to try to avoid the hummer fights. One hummer chasing another nearly collided with me two days ago. I can see it now, going to the ER, with a hummer impaled in my cheek.
ReplyDeleteYou are enjoying some nice weather there as we are here, gotta love it!
ReplyDeleteOur hummers aren't back yet, but now that wildflowers are finally blooming here in the U.P. the hummingbirds shouldn't be far behind.
ReplyDeletePretty chilly here yet. 33 this morning. We won't see Hummers til the end of July. Good to see you're staying busy! :)
ReplyDelete