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.

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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