Thursday, March 15, 2012

Spring Is Springing!

Good Thursday morning to you!  We have had some very mild weather here.  I am enjoying the reawakening of my yard.  The orange trees are in full bloom and the fragrance is intoxicating!  The roses are unfurling their dinner plate sized blooms, and the ivy is creeping up the wall beneath my kitchen window.  My grape irises are preparing to put on a show in both front yard and back.  The birds are tweetering everywhere!   My beloved Orioles are back.  I hope they will stick around despite the fact that nesting birds of prey are right next door.   The other evening I was standing at the kitchen sink and saw that Robins were covering the lawn, and there were dozens in the trees.  I grabbed my camera, put the telephoto lens on, and tiptoed outside to get some photos.

As the sun began to slip behind the hills I took my telephoto to the back to see what could see.
I was greeted by 5 loud girls wanting a bit of scratch before they got up on their roost.
You Lookin' At ME?
 
Something tells me they were in my garden boxes again?   The dirt on the beak was a dead giveaway!
 The grove is so pretty this time of year.
There are still lots of delicious oranges on the trees, but they are falling fast.  I will miss their sweet goodness when they are gone!
My favorite avocado tree.
The bushtit that built this nest and sat on her eggs, seems to have abandoned the nest.  I am so sad to know that is one more clutch that probably didn't make it because of the hawks that took up residence in my next door neighbors tree.
As the sun slipped out of sight I watched the silhouette of birds before heading back inside make dinner.
 I am working on a new blanket using the bundle of yarn I ordered a while back from the UK.  The colors are yummy, and the pattern is so fun. 
 I will share the pattern later.  Off to start the day.  The Knitty Biddies are meeting.
Have a great day!
XO  Kris

22 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

I feel as if I've had a visit with spring after viewing your post. Lovely! We are having unseasonably warm weather here in the midwest. Almost 80 all week. The windows are open and it's very refreshing!!

Best,
Bonnie

Unknown said...

Oh, I just loved seeing the Robins, green grass and oranges...wow! Thanks for a view of Spring!

Is that wool or acrylic? Yummy colors, can't wait to see the pattern.

Bethany said...

Oooo you're finally dipping into your Lucky Pak! I got it for Christmas and making a rainbow ripple (pretty much like the one she's working on - I loved her interlocking stripes) but it's been stagnant for ages now. I can't wait to get back to it. At the rate I'm going it'll probably be getting cold again by the time I'm done, and then I can pretend I planned it that way :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! I'd love to have orange trees but I'm way too far north! And that yummy yummy yarn, to die for. We don't have orioles here, unless they pop in for a visit during transit, at least as far as I'm aware. The birds that nest in our trees are cardinals, robins, wrens, woodpeckers, doves, a few others too. We feed them and enjoy them, especially the hummers in the summer.

Have a lovely day!!!

Karen said...

OOOO I miss CA so much! Especially with your lovely photos of orange trees.....all of them. Can't wait to see what your making with that beautiful yarn.
Hugs, Karen

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris, what a wonderful Spring post. I too love the return of the robins. Yet to see him here. I saw your beautiful green grass. I mowed mine yesterday on a low setting. It was as brown as brown. Nice surprise, there is a bit of green under that brown. I've been planting a few pots for Spring color outdoors and daffodils are about to bloom. Oh how I love the smell of orange blossoms. We lived in AZ for five month years ago and I still remember that luscious smell. How wonderful it would be to just walk outdoors and pick a fresh orange. Love how colorful the grove is. Happy Spring!
Jann

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Oh how I love seeing your yard with the birds and of course the beautiful, plentiful oranges! I miss the fragrance of the Mock-Orange my neighbor in no.Ca. had. We don't have the hawk issue, though I know they're around, but I won't put up feeders because of the Grackles killing all the small birds. Love the bright colors of your yarn. Happy Knitting/Crocheting.
Noreen

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh so lovely. You caught no many great bird shots. I know they must love your grove too. Are the chickens noisy at times?

Holly said...

I so wish we had those beautiful red breasted robins here. I used to see them all the time in Indiana. The quail are starting to come back into my yard and we will sooon have babies wandering all over the grass again. We have a mighty winter storm coming this weekend, is it hitting you first?

Teresa Kasner said...

OK.. I want your life. It's raining like heck here and has been for several days. We have no orange trees and my chickens got killed by coyotes. Wah. Sigh. Oh well, I better try to count my blessings. :-)

Nicolle said...

Great pictures. The robins are so pretty and I love how you caught that one in the first photo either taking off or landing. Your orange trees are gorgeous. I thought of you last night when I was at the grocery store buying avocados. I thought if Kris was my neighbor, I'd just go steal a few from her. Have a great afternoon! xo.

Mereknits said...

You live in such a magical place, so beautiful and it seems very peaceful. Love the pictures of the birds, grove and the girls. And of course lets not forget the basket of yarn which gets me all excited even when it isn't mine.
Have a wonderful day,
Meredith

Maryrose said...

Great pics...everything looks so pretty. I bet it is amazing walking out into your grove with the orange blossoms blooming. I almost wish I had more trees just for this time of year.
Enjoy your day.
M

Petunia Pill said...

The Robins were covering our yard a few days ago too! I guess they're feasting on all the earthworms that are starting to surface! Can't wait to see THAT blanket!!!! It ISSSS fun! Yes? I love the way it feels. You're killing me with the talk of the intoxicating orange blossoms...so jealous! I can smell them in my mind. You asked me why we left Cali...we left because we wanted to try a different life...something a bit slower. We were both born and raised in CA...and had never had any other experience. Aside from a few plants that I miss terribly...and some wonderful friends...I don't miss much about the cement jungle where we lived. I think your area is much prettier than San Fernando Valley (where we were) - your temps are more moderate down there. Hugs, Annette

corners of my life said...

A whole flock of robins?
I'd be happy to see just one.

Unknown said...

I just can't wait to see how many robin's nest you end up with in your yard. And I can't wait to see what pattern you pick. I know it will be great with all those fun colors. Three days and counting till blast off. Excited for Pammy to join me before Scott can get off work and come down. The second week will be with my MIL, so I won't be alone long. It's 79 now at 615, so strange weather here, it feels odd to be leaving as all my gardens are popping way too early this year.

Sinta Renee said...

Lots of fun things just outside your window! And fun inside too... love the colors of the yarn goodness.

Dawn said...

I think you should frame the up close shots of the chickens faces, they are just stunning. Great pics today:)

Deanna said...

Hi Kris,
my name is Deanna and I wandered over here from The Little Red Hen at Home. I just adored your photos. I can never get my photos to be that large. The last photo of the bird was just darling. The chicken photos are fabulous and I agree with the comment above about framing them.

I would love your recipe for squaw bread if you would be willing to share :D

Deanna

Pammy Sue said...

I filled up the bird feeders yesterday. I can't wait to do some birdwatching when they discover it. Don't you just love all those pretty colors of yarn. I still love seeing mine. I'm anxious to see what blanket you are making! Have a glorious weekend! (Did you think of me when you said bushtit? Hee-hee.)

Angela said...

Oh Kris those colors are beautiful! Can't wait to see what you're making! Angela

Jill said...

Wonderful pictures Kris! I really like the Robin you captured in flight!

hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Blessings,
Jill