Today’s bright sunshine lured me into the yard, where I spent the afternoon starting (but not finishing) a number of chores. My first job involved two small bird houses, which have become a winter refuge for spiders. Determined to avoid more encounters with black widow spiders, I wanted to clean out the webs and evict any venomous guests.
I’ve been dreading this task, and I was relieved when a clump of weeds with tiny white flowers gave me an excuse to put off confronting the spiders.
After photographing the unfamiliar weed (I believe it might be hairy bittercress), I crawled through patches of henbit and speedwell, trying to capture their enchanting beauty.
I crossed half of the yard on my hands and knees before I remembered the bird feeders. Dusty and empty, all of the feeders needed attention. Under the second feeder, I found a cicada molt.
A short time later, I moved into the front yard. Before reaching the final bird feeder, I stopped to take a photo of paperwhites.
Beside the paperwhites, a single hyacinth was trying to bloom. Trying unsuccessfully, for the moment, because something has been grazing on it.
A quick search for suspects found a rabbit hiding in the irises and a squirrel trying to hide in a nearby tree. They both looked guilty to me.
Distracted by rabbits and squirrels, I never finished the last feeder. I also didn’t get to the windows, which are disgracefully dirty.
But I don’t regret my disorganized day, which ended on a sunny, sleepy note.
I can clean bird houses, feeders, and windows some other day, some cloudy day when the yard doesn’t sparkle with wonders.
I love your commentaries, Rae – the line about the rabbit and squirrel looking guilty is delightful, and the last line serenly beautiful.
And those photographs of the speedwell, etc, are stunning!
Thank you!
Great photos as always. I think bunny is guilty! Don’t let that sweet little face fool you.
🙂
love the images! cute animals 🙂
Thank you!
The bunny shot is too cute!
Thanks! I love having rabbits in the yard, mostly because they are so much fun to photograph.