Off the causeway....

Murrells Inlet, SC

From my backyard..................

 He is a handsome fellow

Lovey Dovey

There are only 2 baby doves...thank goodness as there is no room for another. I can't believe how big they are already. That's because they have such a good mom. I did some reading up on Doves. Mom eats seeds and grit and digests it turning into "milk" She then regurgitates this "milk" into the throats of the babes. This involves a lot of bobbing and weaving and is quite the production. Also, a Dove couple may have 5-6 broods a year......not on my porch they won't . It is a mess up there. After they leave the nest, I will clean all that up and put a pot or vase there. Anyway, they have been fun to watch for now.

Meanwhile in my backyard, I watched a male Cardinal take a bath in my birdbath...a first for me. Many hungry Goldfinches show up everyday to the "sock". Also, the best news, my little Hummingbird has arrived!  Saw a House Wren couple looking over my wren box, rejecting it and flying off. They were all atwitter. I hurried up and put out 2 more wren boxes but haven't seen them back again. Good thing I don't live in the country.......I'd be out there all day ;-)

Lovely

News from home............

I wish that these Iris's were in my backyard but alas, they are from Brookgreen.

It is boiling hot today....87 right now. Isn't this July weather? I,m just staying inside.

We have 3 little baby Doves....they are so cute. 

Everyone have a great Memorial Day holiday!

Atalaya in Black and White

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atalaya_Castle_(US)

I've taken many photos of Atalya both inside and out but thought that I would try black and white for a change.

My Little Chickadee

Stormy Seas

Just about every time that I went to the beach in SC the red flag was flying. Even though the skies looked clear the ocean was very rough.....makes for beautiful photos.

Triptych

Well, this isn't really a triptych which is artwork on three panels but it does have 3 views of the Redbuds at the park. I took a similar photo last summer of sunflowers. 

Along the Path

Spring!

 Lovely Redbuds at Lower Huron Metropark

1. 
2.  Flooded

 The park is often flooded at this time of year. The Huron River overflows it's banks throughout the park. Some places the water was up to the road and in the area above, I could see fish jumping in the pools. On the way out of the park, a man was fishing off the road.

 Note the Kingbird sitting on the fence.....

 Wow, can't even tell where the river is.....water up to the bottom of the bridge.

Three flowering trees along the bike path....note squirrel on the fence. I love when I don't notice things like this until I see the picture on my computer.

Red Buds

 Lower Huron Metropark

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom

This year, in August, my Mother would be 100 years old. I think of her often, not just on Mother's Day. I miss you, Mom.....miss your kindness and wise counsel, your advise and all the info that you passed on to me over the years. I still think that I can pick up the phone and call you....too bad there is no phone in heaven.

Bluebird

Don't know why Bluebirds like to perch on the head of statues. This is a very narrow statue of Lincoln and there is always a Bluebird ready to sit on his head :-)
We are having a very depressing day today. It rained and stormed all night and is raining still this morning. I was forced to go to Tim Hortons for a doughnut to cheer myself up. Feel bored and restless. I had hoped to go to Lower Huron for the Redbuds, which are in full bloom right now. That's what I need, more flower pictures. It is always a beautiful sight to see as the Redbuds are planted throughout the park.

My Favorite Place.....

 to sit at Brookgreen.....a long walk with benches along the way. Lots of birds and so peaceful.....never have seen an alligator here.

I should be......

At the Gardens

 At Brookgreen! Looked at the time this morning and thought that I should be at the Gardens seeing what is blooming instead of working my butt off at home. If I lived in SC I would visit as often as I could.

White-throated Sparrow

At Huntington Beach State Park

 Or I should be driving back and forth across the causeway at the state park to see who is there and then jumping out of the car to snap a quick one.

At the nature center

 Or...remembering the poor nature center, burned down 2 years ago but still feeding the birds...the Painted Bunting a regular visitor at this time of year, a female Cardinal below, or a Gray Catbird or a morning dove.

I mentioned yesterday that I have a dove nesting on my porch. This morning, I was trying to get my porch cleaned up and shades hung.....very close to the nest. She puffed all out and gave a coo of alarm and then took off. Soon she and her mate arrived to chase me off but luckily I had the shade hung and went inside to let them calm down. She's now back on the nest being a good mom.