I took some photos today of my garden. I was sitting outside most of the day enjoying the gorgeous sunshine and warm weather (actually, it got pretty hot - I think it hit 90 this afternoon!). One of the best things about not working is that at any time I can be outdoors and experience God's glorious creation. I am so very blessed to live in a rural area only 25 miles from the vibrant city of Washington, D.C. I have the best of both worlds: wide, open space surrounded by farms and woodland while at the same time being part of an urban area that offers the best of city living.
I live in the country on a quiet street with only a few homes. Even during the rush home from work, there are few vehicles that drive by, so noise pollution is practically non-existent. On the weekends, the sounds of lawn tractors and weed-whackers are occasionally heard, but during the week it is blissfully calm.
Sitting outside today was like being in heaven; it was so peaceful. At first I closed my eyes and just listened to nature's sounds: birds twittering, crickets chirping and the slight breeze blowing through the trees. Then I opened my eyes and surveyed God's handiwork. The flowers, both wild and the ones planted in my garden. The trees with their branches laden with leaves reaching toward the sun. Two squirrels scampering from limb to limb playfully chasing each other. The little chipmunk who lives in the hole near my azalea garden quickly running from hosta to hosta with his tail pointing straight up. The cardinals, sparrows, nuthatches and tufted titmouse which visit the birdfeeders I have filled with seed. The dazzling green and red hummingbird that comes to drink the nectar from my flowers. The crow flying overhead calling, "caw, caw." The rabbit hopping across the lawn. The bees buzzing from flower to flower. Thank you, God, that you would allow me to behold such beauty!
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Impatiens .
The bee balm is growing tall. Soon each stalk will be topped by a showy redflower, and hundreds of bees will be buzzing hypnotically from flower to flower
gathering nectar. The hummingbirds also love the flowers of the bee balm plant.
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A sad end to a beautiful impatiens flower.
The Blue Jay is a frequent visitor to my garden.Here it is resting on a tree branch.
Rose buds.
Chipping sparrow eating seed from one of my bird feeders.
Chipping sparrow at one of the bird feeders in my garden.
Taking a break!
Cute curious rabbit. The rabbits that live on my property are very large -- the size of housecats.
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Male cardinals (they are the red ones) usually feed only on the ground.This year, however, they have been eating seed from the actual bird
feeders. The feeders are meant for smaller birds, so it is quite comical
to watch the cardinal balancing himself on the small perch bending over to get
the seed from the small openings.
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Planter with impatiens on my front porch.
White-breasted Nuthatch visiting one of the bird feeders.
Look closely and you'll see one of my neighbors driving down the street in his golf cart. When the weather is nice, he makes trip after trip around the block.
He always slows down to wave at me if I am outside sitting on my front porch.
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This is my "secret" place where I go to read. It is located under some pinetrees which sway gently in the breeze, giving off the intoxicating aroma of pine.
