Every year we take a photo of our driveway in Springtime; we started the first year we planted the Sakura trees, about twenty years ago. Now they are in need of pruning, but still make a nani scene going up our very steep driveway. I love the daffodils for contrast.
I was working in my office today when I heard a thump against the side window to my right. Knowing that a bird had undoubtedly hit it, I leaped up and quietly went outside. Sure enough, a tiny Golden-Crowned Kinglet was sitting stunned on the deck, not moving at all.
Grateful for my training as a wildlife rehab volunteer, I gently scooped up the little guy and brought him into the house, asking Nolemana to prepare a small box for the bird. (He too, knows just what to do in cases like this, because it’s happened countless times throughout the years.)
Before I put the bird in the box for an hour or so of quiet in a dark room, I had Nolemana take a quick photo of him, while the beautiful manu rested in my hand. I was holding him so gently that he could have escaped if he’d wanted to, but he was still pretty stunned.
After an hour, I quietly went into the hall bathroom where the Kinglet had been resting. I opened the lid just a crack to let some light in; the bird wanted out! I checked his wings and feet; they weren’t injured. So I took the box outside and opened the lid, turning the box on its side so the warbler could see he was free.
In less than twenty seconds, the little guy had flown off into the trees with a little thank you peep. And as always, my eyes filled with tears of gratitude that I could help a lovely wild thing regain his freedom. I always feel as though I’m participating in a miracle.
Today a young man named Tyler, who’s been helping us around here ever since he was about twelve years old, cleaned off our deck glass, which has been full of fir pollen and moss from last fall and this winter. Wowzie! It looked fabulous, and now we can easily see the valley without seeing the moss (which always arrives every winter).
Thanks, Tyler! You did a wonderful job!
Today I had a gorgeous visitor to my suet feeder. She hasn’t been around for awhile, and I was really happy to see her back again. I hope she and Mr Pileated Woodpecker decide to raise their babies here again this year.
Nolemana and I had a coupon for dinner at Portland Seafood Restaurant, so off we went. I ordered the Crab-Stuffed Salmon with roasted green beans. Ho da ‘ono!!! I had enough left over another meal, too.
Today Nolemana and I drove up to Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge in Washington. We always look forward to going; it’s quiet and peaceful, and the wildlife is absolutely amazing. We actually end up driving around the refuge twice, because it’s never the same, even within thirty minutes. It was really hard to choose just one photo for the day, but I decided on this one: a Great Blue Heron.
I just love living in a semi-rural area. Within a half mile of us, there are horses, cattle, goats, and sheep. And these beauties, who live just across the road for us.
Here a moa käne (rooster) shows his girls where to find the tastiest stuff to eat. The other day when I left the house, one of the girls was out in the middle of the street. A car was coming toward them; we both stopped and I shooed the silly moa back where she belonged. The other driver and I waved to each other as we each went on our way.
This rooster was keeping his girls where they belonged!
Just for you, AFK… you and Pink Martini. I loved the video and song!
We had more hail, sunshine, and rain today. I’d just gotten home when I saw more hail coming towards us; the sky was dark and I could see the line of hail moving across Sunshine Valley. I grabbed my camera wikiwiki and took a couple of photos. Ho da cold outside! Just as I got back into the house, the hail started coming down fast and furious. Good timing, yeah?
See the line of the hail over to the right and straight ahead? I love love love watching weather coming toward me!
And here it is, almost on top of us! So kewl!
Wow, what a weather-y day we’ve had today! It started out cloudy, but with a patch of sun across the valley that made a great photo of the day. Then the sun came out, then it began to rain, and while I was safely indoors at the gym, we had a mega-hailstorm that went on for about ten minutes.
Pau the gym I headed into downtown Gresham; the sun was out again. But when I left the yarn store, the hail started again! Then the sun came out and we had a lovely sunset.
Very typical Oregon spring weather. I love it!
This morning: a patch of sun across the valley.
This is the little keychain sock that I made for Suzette. I wanted to make her something special, and this was what I decided on. It’s made of fingering weight yarn from MauiYarns, in the “Ripe Pineapple” colorway. Suzette loved it!
A Mānoa Girl's Bloggie 