JUNCO'S VISIT TO THE YARD

With the tree in bloom behind him - the junco looked so pretty.  Soon after these pics were taken the snow started - not much - just enough to be pretty and today at least in my yard it has all melted.

So what do you have - snow - rain - sun - wind - warm  - chilly - cold  ...and....Ugh ...hot.  ?

and a haiku by Magyar


junco colors
match the background blooms
a snow flake

BREWER'S BLACKBIRD AT LAKE ARROWHEAD

I was going through some photos taken last October during a visit to Lake Arrowhead and came across a series of Brewer's Blackbird photos.  I had taken many of the female and some of the male.  This is a male - his darker colors make it easy to know this is a "he" as the female has beautiful shades of brown.

I don't think I've ever taken the time to notice just how beautiful this bird is.  They are easily overlooked as being just one of those birds that hang around where people drop food.  They are in large groups at the lake.  This close up I took really shows the details of their feathers.  What a handsome guy he is.

ANOTHER ACORN WOODPECKER

WATCHING

I AM VERY FOND OF THIS BIRD - ACORN WOODPECKER

I love watching them.  They are very entertaining.

SOME COLOR FOR A WHITE DAY

We are getting snow today - today and then we heat up again so it won't last long.  But it's so gorgeous while it snows.  I can't wait to take out in the jeep and get more snow photos like I do every time it is snowing.  The plow came by a bit ago but then it started to really come down again so we will wait awhile before going out - or we will head out in the morning before the sun has a chance to thaw it.

Just posting some photos of mine that provide lots of color and I plan to do a few sketches from some of them.

These are from a nearby garden store.  Cacti and succulants are probably my favorite type of plants.

A little of my front deck railing garden last year.  Can't wait to plant my pots this year - i have several empty ones that need flowers or veggies.