A heavy slate canopy kept the light dull and the rain away today.
Jackie continued her clearance work in the Pond Bed (so named because it has been laid out by our predecessors on the shallow base of a pond). She has cleared most of the invasive alliums and even enjoyed the pleasure of planting up a pot.
The Japanese maples are now freer features. “Where’s Jackie?” (7)
My task was weeding the Shady Path. Starting at the Rose Garden end I just about reached Florence sculpture, from where I could observe the
burgeoning of the rhododendron on the corner of the Palm Bed, and listen to the birdsong which had been absent yesterday.
It wasn’t exactly the song of birds that entertained Jackie – more the baby starlings clamouring for food, until their Dad, as soon as the Assistant Photographer raised her camera, sounded the alarm and all became quiet. With considerable patience, she managed a shot of the infant she thinks will be first out of the traps.
This evening we dined on Mr Chan’s excellent fare from Hordle Chinese Take Away, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
The rhododendrons steal the show on today’s visit 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene. They are quite something, I think, too
Love those Japanese Maples Derrick ?
Thanks a lot, John
Beautiful flowers, cute little birds! ???
Thanks very much, John
My favorite photo is Where’s Jackie?
Thanks very much, Rachel
The rhododendrons are beautiful, but I also love the photos of Jackie with her beautiful smile. That baby starling is so cute, too. ?
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re very welcome.
I love the “Where’s Jackie?” shot! Yay for Chinese Takeaway! I checked out their menu, Derrick. I love that they offer Fish and Chips as well.
Thanks very much, Jill. They really are the best I’ve ever found.
That’s a lovely photo of Jackie
Thank you very much, Sheree
Those Japanese maples are beautiful and so isJackie.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Gorgeous pictures. Our rhododendrons are also in bloom and look better than they have in recent years.
Thanks very much, Pat.
I, too, love the ‘Where’s Jackie’ shot!
Your rhododendrons are well ahead of those in Sussex!
A super photo of the Starlings – Your contender for being first off the blocks does look pretty determined, so I think you may be right 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Emma.
Both shots of Jackie are good, but that first one is the best photo I’ve seen of her. Great smile. Lovely to see the birds, as well.
Thank you very much, Judy
Baby starlings are very demanding. I hope that the parents are feeling fit.
They seem to be keeping up, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot
I think Jackie must always be a cheery, optomistic person.
I will go and look online, but it seems the alliums must be related to the geraniums and pelargoniums.
🙂 Thanks a lot, Yvonne
Well, as usual, I was wrong about the alliums! I have learned something before 8 am!
Thanks a lot, Yvonne. 🙂
The Japanese maples are looking very perky today, as is Jackie! I love the baby starling photo in the header.
Thanks very much from us both, Liz
Fun to see the starlings. We have plenty in our yard, and they love the suet we’ve been putting out. I do believe that our starlings came originally from Britain, or at least somewhere in Europe. (Same with those sparrows) Jackie’s shots are very very nice!
Thank you very much from us both, Maj
Amazing photos
Lovely pic of Jackie queen of the garden
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
Hope you have a great week.
The Japanese maples is stunning Derrick ..
Thank you very much, Ivor
You keep spring alive.?
Thanks very much, Laleh
Always pleasure.
The garden has the two of you engrossed in maintenance. Jackie’s head has become part of the canopy of Japanese maple. I am anticipating interesting bird photography of the upcoming brood.
Thanks very much, Uma. We’ll do our best. Well spotted.
Spring looks beautiful there, and I enjoy these garden photos. I found Jackie mid the red maple, too. 🙂
I enjoyed the photos of the starling baby and the father bird, and also look forward to more pictures of the nestlings.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Well spotted
There is never ‘nothing’ to do in a garden. I tackled weed in the slightly softened ground yesterday and can feel my efforts in my hops this morning. At least, once it is light, I will be able to admire the results of my efforts!
That is so good. Thank you very much, Anne
Jackie,
YOU are THE brightest most beautiful flower in the garden! Your smile is contagious! 🙂
<3 and (((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
The Japanese Maples are breath taking. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks very much, Mrs W. You have a good one, too
Your welcome.
I wish AZ was kind to Japanese Maples. I’d have one in my back yard, too. Lovely.
Thanks a lot, Cindy
Not a bad day then. Love the maple and the garden statues.
Thanks very much, Andrew
A fine view of nature in your garden, colours and life evolving. Some with a helping human hand that brings out the best, even some weeds create a cover whilst other more wanted plants rest and energize for a blaze of summer color. And finally birds find a place to rear a brood within the sanctuary of your garden
Thank you so much for these rich comments, Catherine
The Japanese maples look amazing, such rich colours.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie. We had to rescue the red one which is coming back into its own. X
They certainly are thriving.
x
I can’t keep up with filling the bird feeders, if it’s not the sqirrels it the extra birds that are feeding families. Good to see them though.
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Beautiful photos of birds, Jackie’s smile, and your friend Florence.
Thanks very much from us both, JoAnna
Love your maple
Thanks a lot, Sherry