Raven Ridge Gardens: Swallows

Showing posts with label Swallows. Show all posts

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Lilacs and Swallows

The swallows arrived around March 15th this year and immediately began checking out last year's nests under the eaves of the house. As usual, I don't have a photo. Someday I'll try to video their flitting flight but am not holding my breath; they're just too quick.

Then this morning, a lilac that I pruned severely last fall burst into bloom.

Days are longer, temperatures warmer. And even if we are still having rain, it's a welcome change.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Swallows and Freesias

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In our neighborhood, no matter what the calendar says, Spring begins the day the swallows arrive. This year it began on Thursday, March 12th, which is the day my friend and neighbor D spotted a pair of swallows flitting and swooping overhead.

She and I engage in a friendly who-will-see-them-first competition. This year she won. I didn't see them until the following day, but what a thrill.

This is why I love the swallows: They have their babies in our barn and under the eaves of the house, making me a baby swallow grandmother of sorts, as I watch out for their well being all season until they fledge.

Another sure sign of Spring in my garden is this deeply scented Freesia, which I found blooming when I went on my camera-in-hand garden rounds Friday morning. I took these photos early in the morning under cloudy skies with no flash. I am enamored by their rather fuzzy, sultry look, surrounded by yet-to-be-cleaned-up winter weeds entangled in new spring growth.

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Signs of Spring: Swallows - An Early Arrival

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The swallows are back. And once again they are earlier than last year, and the year before, and the year before...

I've been scanning the sky the past few days - earlier than I usually do - but I had a feeling.

Last night was balmy and clear and we woke up to a 50-degree, frost-free morning and I knew they'd show up today. And so they did. I say 'they', but really I saw just the one. But one means more are somewhere close by and for me that's enough to proclaim:

Spring has officially arrived at Raven Ridge Gardens.

What signs of spring do you watch for?

More posts about swallow activity:
Happy Spring! The Swallows are Back!
The Swallows Are Back - Spring Has Arrived!
The Swallows Have Arrived!
Summer in my Garden - Baby Swallows
Baby Swallows Almost Ready to Fly

Friday, March 11, 2011

Happy Spring! The Swallows are Back!

Pin It Been watching the skies for swallows these past few days. Too cloudy and rainy to catch a glimpse, if they were there at all.

But today turned sunny and actually warm and, as always, something made me look up and there they were. Just two of them. We call them the scouts.

Of course I didn't get a photo of them - they're swallows. They just don't hold still enough. Hopefully I'll get some baby shots later in the year. Meantime . . .

Muscari

Yellow Primrose

Wood Violet

Lilac buds

Dicentra - Bleeding Heart

I was able to root around close to the ground in a few of my garden beds and capture some tiny early spring bloomers.

In no particular order, here are some previous swallow posts you might enjoy:
Fledglings
First Rose
Baby Swallows
Chow Time
Spring Has Arrived!
The Swallows Have Arrived!

On a sadder note: My heart goes out to the people of Japan who have lost so much due to the devastating earthquake yesterday and ensuing tsunami. I am thinking of you and wishing you solace during this terrible time.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Summer in my Garden - Baby Swallows

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I took these photos at the beginning of last week, when the parents were frantically feeding these hungry babies as they were getting ready to fledge.
The next day, sure enough, they began to fly, always returning to the nest and demanding to be fed by late afternoon.
The next day they were off again, flying further and further but always returning to a post near their nest to rest for a bit.
The next day they were gone.
Another successful launch.
I was so proud, you'd think I had something to do with it!