No blogging Mojo

Yes my mojo has been gone for a while…but I am pulling together as much energy and motivation I can to show you that..

I am still here…

and I have been having a wonderful time!

We left North Carolina the end of April and headed quickly to Connecticut for my nephews wedding and a big family reunion.

I knew it would be a busy, crazy whirlwind for a few weeks..and it was.

First my nephews wedding..which was wonderful and family filled.

The night of Patrick and Nydia's wedding we re-created

this photo which was taken in 1989

Simmons Family~1989

Simmons Family 2014

Our family have not been together as a whole in 10 years…there was always someone missing in one of our get togethers.

So it was wonderful that everyone was together again.

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The following day we celebrated my birthday at my Sisters rental on Masons Island.

What a special day I had.

Birthday fun VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

More photos Here

We had a few more days together before the Montana clan headed back home.

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Since their departure I have been busy helping Muther and Dad in the garden, weeding and planting.

I also have my  little garden planted…

I recently purchased the Cat statue in honor of my Balliecat who is buried here.

 

I have a new toy.. A Fitbit.

I have been trying to walk at least seven miles a day.

Most days Jeff and I walk and bird Bluff Point.

When we first arrived there were no leaves on the trees.

What a difference a few weeks make..

Jeff and I also have taken a few walks with Sicksta Tink and Joe into downtown Mystic.

This particular day Jeff stayed home and rested. Apparently, since getting the Fitbit I have been a walking fiend and have tired him out.

 

Well …that’s all for now my friends…

I am still searching for my Blogging Mojo. If you happen to find it…please send it back to me.

 

Just as things were heating up..

Just as things were heating up…

We had to leave..

The vines were reaching out and spreading..

The flowers were starting to show off..

Big show offs these Iris are…

Ice Plant

The leaves were on their way to full..

The cold days were fewer..

It was hard to get the pups out when it was cold.

They wanted to stay snuggled and warm in their beds..

With the warmer weather…the pups

wanted to be out more and more..…

Jack liked walks in the field…

Migration was in full swing..

The Indigo Bunting was one of the first to arrive at our feeders.

It also liked this area after I did some weed cutting.

I had the feeders set up and our viewing area was close by.

The Blue Grosbeak was the second migrant to our feeders..

It shared the seed tray with the other birds…unless it got too busy and then it was a bit more aggressive.

The next arrival was the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Then another arrived…

A few days later there were four males..

The females had not arrived yet…

Sharing the tray feeder…

Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting..

The last day we were there a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak had arrived.. I noticed later in the day we had two females.

I knew there would be more…and then the warblers..

But..

We had to leave…

See the empty spot where Homey was?..

I left the feeders stocked and Craigy had orders to keep them full.

Because..

We had to go..

Just when things were heating up….

 

Springtime in Sickstas yard

It's Spring here at Sickstas in Carthage, NC.
It actually has been switching back and forth between summer and spring temperatures. A week of 80 degrees left us when a cold front came in. Two nights we covered some of Sickstas plants so the frost would not bite them. Daytime temps this week have been in the mid sixties.
The birds have been busy hooking up and finding a good home to raise their young-ins.

These two White-breasted Nuthatch look like they are ready for some springtime fun and frolic.

I have seen this Carolina wren sweetening it up with another...Its also missing tail it's feathers. Looks a bit odd bopping about.

The creatures of the garden have been out and about as well, warming and leaching off of the plant delights.

Sickstas garden is filling out with springtime colors..plants that have been hibernating underground for the winter are popping out of the ground and stretching out to feel the sun.

The birds have started migrating and reaching the trees above us.
Yellow-throated, Red-eyed and White-eyed vireos, Black and White warblers, Northern Parula, Yellow-rumped warblers, Summer tanager have come to feast on the insects on the freshly leafed trees.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds have been gracing my sugar water feeder.
We had a single and early appearance of a Blue grosbeak and an Indigo bunting.

Just a few days ago I heard a hooded warbler singing from the woods across the street while I was doing my morning yoga routine.
I wanted to see this first of the spring arrival so I grabbed my binoculars and rushed across the street.
As I entered the woods I was greeted by a Morel mushroom.
I started picking as a looked for the Hooded ....

I never did see the Hooded this day...it was deep in a thicket and I couldn't get close enough.
Instead I looked on the ground for more shrooms...

Devils Urn- Urnula craterium

I have the Hooded to thank for this bounty!

Spring has sprung!