Raven Ridge Gardens: March 2009

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Daffodils for Erika

From spring to spring I try to get the perfect shot of these lovelies. Their placement is not without challenge, being close to a long and strappy plant that always seems to intrude on the background and being only 8-inches tall themselves. I try to get the perfect shot for Erika. So, my friend, how's this one?

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Spring in My Garden - White Primrose

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Primroses, or Primula, are actually winter-blooming plants around here but I didn't see this one, hiding deep down under leaves and ferns, until just now. Usually by this time they've been munched by slugs. We both got lucky.

After a bit of a hiatus, I'm happy to enter my primrose in the ever-exciting blog event, Today's Flowers. Do stop by Luiz' blog on Mondays to check out all the beautiful flower photos.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring in My Garden - Wood Hyacinth

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Wood Hyacinth, also known as Spanish Bluebell and hyacinthoides hispanica. Whatever name you wish to call them, they are soft and lovely and beginning to bloom in my garden on this first day of Spring.

Happy Spring to all you gardeners and garden lovers out there!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Signs of Spring - First Rose

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Growing on a south-facing wall of the house, this one always blooms first.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Signs of Spring - Muscari

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Muscari, or Grape Hyacinth

Days are longer and a bit warmer. The swallows arrived only to be pelted with rain for several days. It's supposed to clear up for the rest of the week, allowing them to start making their nests.

Here's the first in a short series of flowers that lift my spirits, their cheery blooms telling me that spring is just around the corner.

Friday, March 13, 2009

The Swallows Have Arrived!

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Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2009, two Cliff Swallows were spotted flying high above our property. These are what I call the "scouts", usually two to four birds at first, followed by the whole contingent several days to a week later.

I start watching for them in early March and I've seen them arrive here as early as March 6th but somehow didn't put up a post about it. Click here for their arrival in 2007 - same date!

The beautiful and delicate Barn Swallows will follow soon.

In case you're wondering, don't try looking for a swallow in the photo above. Try as I might, I've never been able to catch one with my camera. A nice sky though, after our cold, gray, wet winter.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Holding A Hummer

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This isn't the first time I've held a hummingbird in my hand and even though it's been quite a few years, the thrill doesn't diminish.

This very tiny guy had flown into the greenhouse and couldn't find its way out. Up in the peak of the roof on a sunny afternoon, it kept flying and searching for a way out, hitting its wings on the roof in the heat, getting weaker and weaker. When it finally landed on a rafter to rest, all I had to do was reach up and gently snatch it from its perch. It was that simple.

The poor thing was so worn out that it sat in my hand for 3-4 minutes while I tried to snap a few photos - most of which came out blurry.

It finally flew out of my hand when I brought it close to a dogwood tree with a water barrel below. It's too bad that the photo of it drinking from the water barrel didn't come out. All I can tell you is that it was quite an experience to watch it drink, rest and recover. It sat in the dogwood for a few minutes more then flew away. So awesome!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday - Lamp

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It's been quite a while since I've posted a photo for Shadow Shot Sunday. Winter can do that to me - make me lose my sense of purpose. But if the buds on my shrubs and bulbs in full flower have anything to say about it, Spring is nigh upon us. A good reason to perk up and get with the program if ever there was one.

I took this shot in late fall/early winter last year. It's one of about a dozen lamps that line the long wall of Trader Joe's on Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento. I love the shadow distortion.