Gold Rush

A few days ago when I returned home there was quite a chorus of birdsong coming from next door. Not a song and a reply, but a great confusion of song, dozens of birds singing at once.

I watched and listened for some time but still wasn't sure what kind of birds they were.

I went inside for a while and then noticed quite a number of birds fly onto my feeders. A different crowd than I normally see ... and then more and more. So I got the camera.

Pine Siskins! Baby Pine Siskins at that, at least two dozen of them; on the feeders and the ground under the feeders, on the fence and in the trees. At first I thought they were Goldfinches but early readers set me straight.

This chickadee was in the minority for once.

They foraged in the grass under the feeders.

Some of them seemed a little confused, standing on top and hanging underneath the feeder.

This sparrow does not look pleased with all the unexpected company.

Such a cutie, and looking a bit younger than some of the others.

This little one curled up on the feeder and

Nodded right off ..........

Sorry here's a second picture ...

So much activity around the feeders, obviously more than one brood.

They have been around for a few days now and are growing quickly. I only saw the adults once at the very beginning, maybe they have gone off by themselves for a rest.

I have been trying to keep the feeders stocked.

That's my birdie offering for this week.

I did get some painting done though, another seashore painting called "Beach Buddies".

A watercolour of course, for more information follow this link: GillianOlsonArt.blogspot.ca

This and other recent works are featured on cards at on my website (PS Whimsy) under New Items and Specials:

CARDS (with envelopes): 1 for $4, 4 cards for $14 and right now when you buy 4 of the same card you can use the bonus coupon to receive another card free.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and a special thank you to all those who leave comments for me, I really appreciate hearing from you.

 Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time ..............

April Showers

April weather can be quite a mixture, and this year we have just about everything from rain, hail, wind, snow (on the mountains) and then some glorious sunshine too. After a recent heavy rain the sun came out and I captured the raindrops.

I was reminded of a childhood rhyme:

Itsy Bitsy Spider

The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout

Down came the rain and washed the spider out

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

Nnow the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again!

The amazing flower below is a Fritillaria:

"Fritillaria meleagris is a species of flowering plant in the family Liliaceae. Its common names include snake's head fritillary, snake's head (the original English name), chess flower, frog-cup, guinea-hen flower, leper lily (because its shape resembled the bell once carried by lepers), Lazarus bell, checkered lily or, in northern Europe, simply fritillary.
The name Fritillarea comes from the latin fritillus meaning dice-box, and (possibly) referring to the chequered pattern on the flowers, though this derivation has been disputed. The name meleagris means ‘spotted like a guinea fowl’." (Wikipedia)

April Showers (Al Jolson lyrics)

Though April showers 

May come your way, 

They bring the flowers 

That bloom in May; 

And if it's raining, 

Have no regrets; 

Because, it isn't raining rain, you know, 

It's raining violets. 

And when you see clouds 

Upon the hill, 

You soon will see crowds 

Of daffodils; 

So keep on looking for the bluebird, 

And listening for his song, 

Whenever April showers come along. 

So judging by the amount of rain we have had here lately, there should be a wonderful array of flowers coming our way in May.

Quite an assortment of birds in the garden this week too

I did not manage to get the goldfinches, crows smashing peanuts, or hummingbird with something caught on its beak with my camera, but I'll leave those to your imagination.

A new watercolour ("Japonica"), inspired by a picture I showed on the blog a couple of weeks ago.

For more information on this and other works follow this link: GillianOlsonArt.blogspot.ca

That's it for this week, happy whimsy Wednesday, thank you for stopping by, until next time ..................