Sunday, May 11, 2014

Happiness

That is a happy dog if I ever did see one... smiling and kicking her feet up in the air.
.....................now what is that she is rolling in?

 and now a second happy dog rolling in the very same spot... 
guess that means that these 2 happy dogs will be sleeping in the garage tonight.

 I love it when the daffodils bloom.. it makes the garden look happy too.
I know it makes my spirits rise.

 After the dogs had satisfied themselves with their rolling we saw a flutter go by our heads up into  the trees. I searched the trees till I saw this little bird making herself very busy.

 As I watched I realized she/he was cleaning out a hole that a woodpecker had pecked in it.
She would peck away with her head in the little round opening and throw little slivers or splintered  pieces of wood out into the breeze.

 This is the first time I have ever seen this and I couldn't believe I actually was able to get some pictures of it.
I wonder if she is making a house or just searching for some insects that may have wintered there.

I love how Nuthatches face down the tree. So cute.
 She kept at her work without bothering with us at all. 

 She must have felt safe or maybe just very preoccupied...
 she is near the top part of this old dead birch.

 ... which is the tree in the center of this little grove. 
 It is always good to leave a few dead trees around for the wildlife. When Birch trees are young and growing they act as nurse trees for other seedlings and when they die they provide life for woodland creatures... it is good not to groom your surroundings too much.

 This Rhubarb pic was taken a week ago... it was big enough to pick some today... so I did.
 Spring tonic.
 Some daylilies that are naturalizing to a patch over by the old garden.

The  Mountain Ash buds are still swelling, but not leafed out yet.

 This young Spruce is still leaning over as a result of the Ice Storm at Christmas.  
I'll keep an eye on it to see if it stands up straight again.

 We always like to take a wander through this path  where the tree branches hang over head sort of like a tunnel.

 I was trying to photograph two Vultures that were playing on the sea currents but the sun got in my eyes...
 and I just got clouds.
 The Vultures would spiral round and round going ever higher and higher. They were so cool to watch... 
but I don't see them in this picture.

 I pruned the little Daphne bush a year and a half ago and it still looks a bit scraggly,
 but it is blooming more that it had been and the fragrance is out of this world.
 Of course I always have to linger over the finds from the seashore.  They make me happy...
better than rolling in the field.
 I see foliage from a few Violets, Forget me nots and and Cornflowers peeking out.
... and some of Toby's dog hair..
 After I trim his hair, I always toss it in the flower beds for the birds or even to supplement the soil. 

More new growth.
 Here is a little Lovage sneaking up in a new place near the patio door.

 ... the cheerleaders.

 The Lady's Mantle is spreading out..
 no chartreuse flowers yet but it is beginning to collect water droplets. I love when it does that.

 Looks like my garden is growing dogs too.  I swear she loves getting her picture taken.

 ...and more cheerleaders.

Hens and Chicks are such hardy little plants.. I really don't know how they survive.
... they are barely in any soil. They seem to flourish in just the pea gravel.

and last but by far not least even though he is the smallest, was the first Hummingbird to my garden just today. 
He has taken up his post.

******
A Friend Blogger Janice  from across the ocean, just sent me this really fun and very Happy Dogs video...
You have gotta watch it... it will make you happy for sure!!



Desideratum Art and Jewelry Studio, St. Martins, New Brunswick

19 comments:

Penny said...

such lovely photos of all the new growth in your garden, here we are heading into our mid autumn but of course we never get terribly cold

Valerianna said...

Thanks for the garden tour!! (and doggie photos) Spring is slow up here in the hills, but I, too am loving the lady's mantle collecting her first drops of the season. Spring blessings to you!

Arija said...

Oh happy, happy days. Isn't spring wonderful!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Penny, I bet autumn is a very pleasant season in your beautiful part of the world. Your photos are always so picturesque.

Thank you Valerianna, The cool unsettled weather has certainly hung on a long time this year, hasn't it. Time for her to take her leave and give us all our reward. we have certainly earned some spring warmth. xo

Yes Arija, Every little bit of new green growth makes my heart sing.

Sharmon Davidson said...

Ah, spring! My dogs are never happier than when rolling in something that is ultimately going to get them a bath! It's so nice to glimpse the coming of spring in your part of the world. We had a long winter, too, but our daffodils have already come and gone, and today it will be 86 degrees, they say!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

So lovely to see spring in your part of the world. Our daffodils have been and gone, and now the tulips are almost finished ... but in a month's time I know you will have much warmer days than ours!

As for happy dogs ... I'm going to email you a link to a video full of them!

Wishing you a good week!
Janice.

Guillaume said...

These pictures make me very happy and make me long for a sunny and warm May day. It hasn't really happened yet here.

My dad had, maybe has still, the same kind of manger for hummingbirds.

George said...

Great images, Gwen, demonstrating something I think I already knew, that is, that you live your daily life mindfully.

sandy said...

Enjoyed seeing all your photos and such happy dogs.

BumbleVee said...

I used to have some Daphne bushes and you are right...the scent is amazing!!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Sharmon, I wish the daffodils would bloom all yr.long. ...maybe dogs do that so they CAN get a bath. you know, all that pampering!

Janice, Thank you! I loved that link for "Happy Dogs" great song and really fun video. makes you want to dance. I added it to the end of the post... just seemed perfect.

Guillaume, Once those hummers take ownership of the feeder they guard it with their life.. never seen such fighting from such tiny creatures. Here's to warm days!

George, I know you agree, it's the simple things in life that feel the best. Thanks.

Thanks Sandy, the dogs love being taken on long walks... or do they take me?? Cheers.

V, they are beginning to finish up now but the scent seems to be more fragrant than ever.

jerilanders said...

Do I detect a lovely little greenhouse made with old windows? More photos of that please! I love all the stone and pebbles you have lying about the ground and gardens. I often marvel at those little nuthatches upside down antics. A sweet little bird she is and a wise house hunter to use the woodpecker hole.

mycuriousteaparty said...

Hens and chicks...

I now have a new word for my sempervarium. Perfect, it is the nearest that I will get to owning any of my own, as our new home (which should be ours very soon) has a covenant that stops us from keeping hens or pigs in the garden..

Thank you Gwen, you have made my day.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Jeri, Yes that is a little green house John built a few years ago all out of recycled windows. the roof and 2 sides are made using 8 large patio door windows, then the two ends are a mixture of any windows that would fit and a old french door. even 4 pieces at angled plexiglass. one of the old windows we saw on the side of the road and the only way we could bring it home was put it on the roof of the car and then the both of us holding it with our hands out the window. Lucky we never had to too many km. must have been a strange site.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Julie, I miss having real chicks too. I love chickens and their antics. Maybe you can keep rabbits.
I'm excited for you about getting your new place. Hope it all works out smoothly.xo

rachel said...

Vultures?? You have vultures? Wow! I didn't know. And hummingbirds too - how wonderful.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Rachel, yes, Turkey Vultures! they are still quite surprising to see. They began arriving in this area from the States about 6 years ago.. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw one here. They have a very distinctive flight pattern.... and are quite the scavengers. they are moving into the crows and ravens territory.

Faye Henry said...

Hi Gwen.. I am late catching up with you.. Are the vultures the birds that were down at the harbour last Summer? They were huge... Also, I love love your greenhouse.. You guys are so artistic... I can't believe all of the treasures up there on that hill... smile.. See you soon, I hope..

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Faye, I see the Turkey Vultures almost every day now. One flew so close I could see its red ugly featherless head. Their beauty is in their flight.
But I also see the Eagles a great deal down by the shoreline(they hang out near that harbour beacon) and sometimes when they fly by my window. A couple days ago a crow was chasing a young eagle. It's feathers had not turned black yet but were a mix of gold and brown... very large though.