Rainbows

I ventured outside this evening to water a few dry spots and recently located plants. When I opened the garage door I could see the rain in the air, but no wetness on the driveway. I was pondering on that phenomenon when I heard a neighbor's grandchildren calling out...

"Look!! There's TWO of them!"

I knew immediately what they were seeing TWO of! I came inside, grabbed my Rebel and out I went... chasing rainbows!

Quail Adventures

It was a *beautiful-work-in-the-yard* day today. I started early with a trip to the green waste dump to get a load of compost. It is so wonderful and black and compost-y!

I bought a bunch of plants yesterday at Home Depot to fill in some blank spots in my yard. I started in the front; planting a big hydrangea and installing my new self-winding hose reel. As I came around into the backyard I saw movement...

It was a quail family: Mama, Daddy and a bunch of little babies were crossing the back lawn and went into hiding under the currant bushes. I struggled to get my iPhone out of my pocket to get some photos. Those little babies move FAST!!! I have several of photos of rocks as they darted along the breach filled with rocks between the garden shed and the raised garden area. I didn't want to unduly upset them, but I NEEDED SOME PHOTOS! So I stood back by the edge of the shed and just kept clicking photos.

Daddy immediately flew away, I'm sure it was a diversionary tactic but I couldn't help but see that it left Mama in crisis with about a dozen babies! She was talking to them the whole time...

"All right babies, be brave and follow me!"

"Stay right along the fence..."

"Be quick now! Come under this nice plant..."

And, my favorite, "Come my babies. Let me gather you under my wings!"

I love how fluffed out she is. I couldn't see any babies under her. What a good Mama!

O ye people... how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you. (3Nephi 10:4)

Purple Robe Locust

This year, the 9th since I planted it, my Purple Robe locust tree is putting on quite a show. A quick Google search showed me that this beautiful tree doesn't photograph well. I wish you could see it with your very own eyes. It is a beauty!

Now this...

THIS! is what the beautiful flowers look like!

And the smell? Yup, it's heaven! Somewhere sweet between lilacs and honeysuckle. And now I have purple snow on my lawn from the dropping blossoms.