Monday, January 31, 2011

Mild Winter Brings on Mushrooms


Another sign of our wet and mild winter ... the mushrooms are here! I found this one atop a small pile of sprout-covered rubble across the street. It looks like it has been there a while.

I have always loved mushrooms - each one is so different - almost like they all have their own personalities!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Bluebirds!!


Female Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana


Male Western Bluebird
Sialia mexicana


The male shows his distinctive chest pattern.

This afternoon as I took my walk, I was surrounded by 5 beautiful birds - flitting around the trees and into the grass/gravel parking lot of the empty building across the street - the bright blues of their feathers glowed in the late afternoon light.

I was thrilled when I looked closely at my pictures - and realized they are Western Bluebirds - a species of bird I haven't seen around here since I was a small child. And there were 5 of them! Three females, two males.

I can't wait to see if they stick around to raise their families this spring.

What a blessing!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Rainy Weather Makes Moss, Moss and More Moss


The good thing about all of the rain we've had ...
And the warm winter we've experienced ...

There is moss everywhere -
In my FAVORITE shade of green!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Windy Morning Oak Tree Heart


As the huge oak trees by the road swayed in the early morning wind, I kept catching glimpses of a heart. Do you see it?

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on Guest Heart Thursday!