Came home to a brisk and windy spring day. But in the week that we were traveling, spring has officially arrived to the Chesapeake Bay. Last year, a Carolina Wren decided to take residence inside our gardening shed and in short order had a little family.
This year, she somehow managed to move the screen away from the window and tucked her nest between the two. You can just barely see her fuzzy head inside. I’m looking forward to seeing her little ones peek their heads out of their nest.
Madhu of The Urge to Wander asked me if there is a difference between Azaleas and Rhododendrons They are of the same family, but bloom differently. I’m finding that Rhododendrons are more drought hardy then Azaleas, and their blooms are in a flora bunda style.
The garden managed to produce three tulips for me to enjoy. Such bright red beauties.
There is also a small section that has several camellia bushes. Protected from the northern winds, they manage quite nicely.
I had the aspiration of making my garden a productive garden. Planting cherry trees, apple trees, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and a small vegetable garden, spring always brings so much promise of home-grown produce.
Alas, the wildlife have a different idea of my gardening. The fruit trees have been planted for them and they always manage to get my fruit before I do. For some reason, the squirrels love to eat my apples when they’re about a golf ball size and still very green.
It’s wonderful to be back home and to enjoy the new treasures in my garden. Hope you enjoyed these spring blossoms as much as I did.
Canon 7D, 24-105mm, f/4.5, Auto ISO, daylight white balance, aperture priority. Edits in Lightroom 4 and Color Efex Pro 4.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Birds, Flowers, Nature









Beautiful, It’s amazing how intricate a bird’s nest is 🙂
I agree Andy, there are so many little pieces in it. I wonder how long it took her to build it.
Beautiful photos, and what a treat to come home to. Always nice to have beauty awaiting you after traveling.
You are too kind Kate. Stopped by your new blog and loved it. Wish it was at wordpress as it’s easier to follow, but really like the new look.
How lucky you are to be able to capture all the goings-on in that nest! Hope you get a good peek at those babies. Gorgeous flowers too. Happy spring!
I’m hoping to be able to get a better peek into the nest. I need to figure out some kind of rig that would disturb them. Thank you!
I have a Carolina Wren nesting in my yard as well. They are so cute! Welcome home!
Wonderful ! Wrens really are adorable.
I would love to see your babies when they arrive.
Haha, that makes two of us!
Welcome back. These flowers just brighten my evening and knowing that there is plenty of life in your garden including a wee one. Vivid pictures as ever.
You are too kind Perpetua. So happy you enjoyed this and that the flowers brightened your day. Just as good as FTD. 🙂
I love the flower photos, and how intricate the wrens nest is, they must be like their cousins the house wrens that like to nest around human structures. I would suggest planting more fruit trees so that there would be enough for you and the squirrels, but the little gluttons never seem to get their fill.
LOL ! If you had any idea. I was looking at my squirrels today. I think it’s time for weight watchers for them. They are FAT !!
Amazing nest – all photos very well captured… 🙂
Thank you so much Drake!
Oh so beautiful!
Regarding azaleas & rhododendrons. The former are for full sun & are deciduous, the latter are for shade & are evergreen. I don’t know photography, but I know my plants 🙂
Thank you so much ! I think because of our growing zone, some of our azalea varieties don’t drop their leaves. Never thought how my Rhodies are in the shade, but great point!
I am glad you came home to so much spring beauty. Your photos are gorgeous. It is so funny how you did all that planting and the wildlife commandeered your garden. That is the way it always works! 😀
It’s just not fair..they get all the goodies ! My cherry tree has two flavors, sweet and sour. They eat all the sweet and leave the sour for me. 😦
What a lovely post. You manage to convey the joy of spring unfurling very simply and sensibly. Love it. I have made some real progress with my dreaded essay today so I am celebrating by catching up with some of my WordPress ‘pals’.
You are so very kind, and so happy to be able to give you a mental break while working so hard on your essay. You are too kind to stop by and visit. Hope you get an A!
Beautiful Emily. The nest was a great find – can’t wait to see the little ones. Your photographs of the blooms are a welcoming site – you got to love natures’ blessing each Spring.
Thank you so much Mary ! I’ve got such spring fever with such beautiful blossoms I can’t stand it. I can photograph them all day long.
Beautiful photos, Bella.
Thank you so very much for your kind comment.
Beautiful Captures – Happy Day:)
Thanks Renee. Hope all is well with you.
I have enjoyed them. They look stunning.
You are so sweet. Thank you Leanne!
I too came back from France to find a flowering garden (it was freezing when we left 3 weeks earlier). We have apple, pear and cherry trees and a gooseberry bush and really enjoy sharing their fruit with our wild friends: that in itself is a good reason to have them. The squirrels seem to drop nuts that grow into plants I’ve never seen before! I suppose that is a way of repaying what they’ve taken!!! Enjoy! 🙂
That is so very wonderful, and glad to know I’m not the only one that donates my fruit to the wildlife. Smart squirrels trying to plant a garden for you. 🙂
What lovely blooms… And I love seeing the birds’ nests! They’re such complicated, fascinating constructions.
They truly are. Now I have two mama’s that I get to keep watch on. 🙂