More Spring Blooms in our Yard

Even though we still don't have many leaves on our big trees yet, and even though it was 35 degrees on Wednesday morning this week, SPRING is HERE on the Cumberland Plateau. I showed pictures of some of our early bloomers (Crocus, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Forsythia, Pansies, and some of our Tulips) in previous blog posts. Today I'll show you pictures of our Redbud trees (we have two), more of our Tulips, and our Pink Dogwood. Hope you enjoy these pictures. Click on them to make them larger. Above is some of the branches of our gorgeous Pink Dogwood in our front yard. Below are more.







One of our two Redbud trees; The other one was featured in an earlier blog post.





The Redbud blossoms---up close and personal!!!! Nice, huh?







This is Peppermint Stick Tulip. This is a small tulip---and I almost wanted to lick it --like I would a lollipop. Yum!!!!




Peppermint Stick Tulip is opening up!!!!! Pretty, don't you think?




You would never guess---but this is Peppermind Stick Tulip opened totally up.. Isn't this a beautiful and unique tulip????? (Compare this picture with the two above!)



I love White Dogwoods----but there's something special about the Pink Dogwoods. I love ours!!!!!



Another picture of a close-up of our Pink Dogwood blooms




Here is a final picture of our Pink Dogwood. There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross on which Jesus was nailed.

After that time, the Dogwood never grew large enough to be used as a cross. It became slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms were in the form of a cross. There were two long and two short petals, and in the center of the outer edge of each petal were nail prints. In the center of the flower was a crown of thorns. All who see this blossom will remember what Jesus Christ endured --just for US. Take another look at the above picture. God Bless ALL of You.
Hugs,

New Bird at our Feeder

It was nice to get home on Tuesday evening from our trip to Texas. I love traveling---but I also love getting home and sleeping in our own bed (if you know what I mean)!!!!!! Yesterday, while working to get things back to normal----I looked out on the deck, and saw a brand new bird at one of our feeders. I got so excited ---and hollered for George to try to get his picture (which he did). At the time, I didn't know which bird this one was---but he surely was gorgeous!!!!!


I got out my Tennessee bird book ---and he was not in there. BUT--he was in a couple of other bird books that I have. This gorgeous bird is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Isn't he amazing? He may be migrating --since he summers in the northeastern and north-central United States. Tennessee is 'sorta' on the line--of where these birds stay in summer. I hope he decides to stay here--but until I see him again, I won't know that.


Rose-breasted Grosbeaks will come to feeders since they enjoy sunflower seeds. They also come to birdbaths for drinking and bathing. The female looks VERY different from the male. She is brown with a large white eyebrow. She also has a large conical, pale bill. She looks like an over-sized sparrow.


Here are some pictures of our NEW backyard bird.. I'll also include a couple more of the favorite birds in our yard. Be sure and click on the pictures to see them larger, with more detail.







He stayed at the feeder for quite awhile, eating that black sunflower seed. YUM!!!









Look at that HUGE beak!!!! I couldn't stop watching this gorgeous bird!







Our male Goldfinch is getting prettier and prettier every single day!!!!







The bright yellow colors are just gorgeous this time of year!!!!!







This picture makes me think that the Goldfinch is looking at the Rhododendron bud!!!!! HA!







A pair of Mourning Doves love to feed on the ground in our yard.









I will sprinkle black sunflower seeds in the yard for them.. One Mourning Dove did come to our feeders a couple of times--but mostly, they feed on the ground. Aren't they pretty????


When we were in Texas, I saw my FIRST Northern Mockingbird in my son's backyard.. However, I did not get a picture of the bird. I know that there are Mockers here in Tennessee ---but so far, I haven't seen one here. Maybe one day I will!!!!!


Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our Backyard Birds.
Hugs,