Pacific Coast Rhododendrons in Bloom

The rhododendrons are in bloom in the Pacific Northwest, a soothing tonic for this rumpled lady. I’ve been ill, which has resulted in a few unintended benefits for us Arboreality.

The fenced vegetable garden on the south side of the house went untouched this month as I prepared for a trip which I was unable to take. While ill, I spent a lot of time looking out windows, a wonderful low-impact activity. That’s when I noticed a particular pair of birds which seemed to spend all of their time in the garden, at the exclusion of any other birds.

The result? My garden neglect was two junco birds’ paradise. In the quiet protection of the vegetable garden, nestled in the comfort of strawberries and thyme, a pair of juncos reared two chicks.

This afternoon I’m writing up my notes and photos to share for the Festival of the Trees 48, to be hosted by Casey Harn at the Wandering Owl Outside blog.

With three days left to submit, there’s still plenty of time to blog about trees and participate! Here are the details so you can join the fun:

Host: Wandering Owl Outside

Deadline: May 30

Email to: cjharn [at] gmail [dot] com — or use the contact form

Themes: The relationship between trees and game animals/birds, or any environmental benefits of trees

Important! Put “Festival of the Trees” in the subject line of your email

Also be sure to stop by Nature’s Whispers to enjoy the May Day Festival of the Trees 47 hosted generously by Jasmine.

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 4

If you’re just joining me, I invite you to go back and read the introduction.

Enjoy Part 4, the final segment of our snowy excursion, which begins on an extra-snowy morning and concludes our journey with late afternoon sun:

Wander the woods of a winter past (to be posted throughout the day today):

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Introduction

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 1

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 2

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 3

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 4

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 3

If you’re just joining me, I invite you to go back and read the introduction.

Enjoy Part 3 of our snowy excursion, which begins in a waist-high snow drift:

Wander the woods of a winter past (to be posted throughout the day today):

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Introduction

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 1

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 2

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 3

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 4

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 2

If you’re just joining me, I invite you to go back and read the introduction.

Enjoy Part 2 of our snowy excursion, which begins with dark evergreens at first light:

Wander the woods of a winter past (to be posted throughout the day today):


In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Introduction

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 1

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 2

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 3

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 4

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 1

If you’re just joining me, I invite you to go back and read the introduction.

Enjoy Part 1 of our snowy excursion, which begins with the waning moon among the alder branches:

Wander the woods of a winter past (to be posted throughout the day today):

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Introduction

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 1

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 2

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 3

In Praise of Winter: Snowy Evergreen Sunrises Part 4