Saturday, February 16, 2013

February GBBD: Blooms and Birds



Just popping in to wish everyone a Happy Bloom Day!  


The paperwhite and hyacinth bulbs lie forgotten in the garage somewhere, but thanks to my daughter, I have a lovely bouquet of Valentine roses to bring some color to these gray February days.

While we have had a fairly mild winter, it certainly hasn't been as mild as last year when I had crocuses blooming in February.  We've been fortunate that the snowstorms have missed us each time, though the weatherman is warning us that we may finally get hit with some measurable snow next week. I'm not going to complain at all, but the lack of snow has had one unfortunate side effect--fewer birds at the feeders this winter.  This weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count, and unless I bundle up and trek beyond my front yard, I'm not going to have much to report other than the usual flock of sparrows.


We have had one new visitor to the suet feeders near the living room window, however.  This tufted titmouse and its mate--I presume--have been frequent dinner guests.  Although several people have told me that they are common in our area, this is the first time I've seen one in our yard.


He's really quite a handsome little fellow--if only my windows were cleaner!--with his fashionable spiked hairdo and white beard. 


He's also quite inquisitive and much braver than other visitors, especially when we see what's behind those gray ears at the bottom of this photo . . .


. . . Apparently, Mr. Titmouse is smart enough to know that double-paned glass is an impenetrable shield protecting him from the likes of Widget and Tarzan.


Or from the whole clan, for that matter! (Front to Back) Toby, Tarzan, Widget, and Sasha have enjoyed many hours of Bird Television this winter thanks to Mr. T and his friends.  The only one missing from the photo is Sophie, who normally watches the same channel,  except that on this day all the best seats were taken!

I still have a few weeks of teaching to go; I'm enjoying it, but I'm also looking forward to getting back into the garden--spring, don't be late!  In the meantime, why not pop over to Carol's to see what's blooming all over the world on this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

31 comments:

  1. What a lovely bouquet of roses . They are truly beautiful.

    Your little birds are so cute (we don't get them here but they are probably like our blue tits.) Just as well there is all that glass between those mischievous cats and them. Those moggies seem really interested in those little feathered *friends* don't they?
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  2. What gorgeous flowers. I do love a good bouquet. Fun to see the birds too, and time to count them. We'll have more fun in March and April for sure. I hope you're enjoying your teaching post.~~Dee

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  3. Your bouquet is a beautiful thing this time of year especially. Love seeing the kitties inside enjoying the view.

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  4. What a wonderful bouquet of roses. I have to admit I have found a plastic bag with bloombulbs also next to my piano. Forgotten to plant. I put them in containers with soil tomorrow and will see what come's of it. I know bulbs need at least 12 weeks cold weather to bring flowers.
    Have a wonderful time teaching and by the our you stop teaching spring will be there I promise.
    Have a wonderful day Rose

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  5. Your tufted titmouse is just adorable and so are your kitties. Why does the lack of snow mean there aren't as many birds at the feeders? I am participating in the GBBC for the first time this year!

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  6. Oh yeah, those cats look very interested. :)

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  7. Tarzan looks a bit like my Frosty and he does not scare the birds either, yet does his best to look intimidating. The tufted Titmouse are such an adorable bird. Nice that they stopped in to visit.

    Your roses are beautiful. My husband bought me roses too. Thank you for visiting GWGT. I appreciate you dropping in.

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  8. Beautiful roses! What a thoughtful daughter. The titmice are frequent visitors here and very used to humans. You'll see more too. I find they eat everything and love dog and cat food and also mealworms. Once you have them you'll always have them. Happy Bloom Day for you! Hope you are well.

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  9. Those are some serious concentration faces going on with Widget and Tarzan! What they wouldn't give to get through that glass I'll bet. What a gorgeous family of kitties you have.

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  10. Winter is long - and you are busier than ever. I'm glad you got that beautiful rose bouquet. And from a loving daughter! What a gift.

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  11. Lucky you--what a beautiful Rose bouquet! I didn't realize you have five cats! I'm impressed--I'm not sure I could handle five: Two is enough for me, although I do love cats and dogs! It's interesting that you haven't had much snow--we've had it most of the winter and I'm not too far from you. I guess the snow is good to protect the plants, but I'm tired of it now.

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  12. Gorgeous roses.

    And I love the tufted titmouse. His name is enough really to make him adorable.

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  13. Gorgeous roses.

    And I love the tufted titmouse. His name is enough really to make him adorable.

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  14. I love the tufted titmice! I have many of them at my front porch feeders. They are so sweet!

    And what nice daughter you have, to send you such a lovely bouquet!

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  15. PS I love your kitty family, too!

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  16. Hi Rose,
    Thanks for your recent visit and kind comments.
    Your roses are absolutely beautiful.
    We often see the tufted titmice at our feeders too and enjoy watching them.
    Your indoor birdwatchers are awfully cute.

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  17. Gorgeous pictures! The cat ones are just wonderful, you captured their expressions so well!

    What a beautiful bouquet. Glad your daughter remembered you. My Mum did the same for me, perhaps it's only women who really understand?!

    Just a card this end, and a belated pair of earrings at the weekend. Perhaps I need to set my expectations a bit lower!?

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  18. Nice to see you blogging again! Lovely roses, birds and cats. They'd like to count those birds too! Good luck with the rest of the school year.

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  19. Hi Rose, The Valentine's roses are lovely. I am glad that the teaching is going well and that you are enjoying it. That is a very clever little bird to know he is not in harm's way. I bet the cat's just love to watch the birds come and go from the comfort of the warm house.

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  20. Oh, what a cute little birdy. Glad the kit cats were on the other side of that window pane. Happy Bloom Day, Rose. I forgot all about it. Such is life in the depths of winter...

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  21. Lovely roses Rose!! Your cats are fun to see all lined up on the sofa, their own little window to the world.

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  22. Rose girl !
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and sharing your love of herbs too!
    I didn't know you had 4 cats ! I knew of Tarzan and Toby but missed these two other delightful characters : )
    And yes .. Sophie the puppy too!
    The teaching gave you the break from your normal routine and passed the time more quickly ?
    Herbs .. I have always loved the potoger gardening concept .. and love an abundance of herbs because they can take that dry hot punishment our summers dole out.
    The rosemary and lavender that I harvest in the Fall is such a treat to the senses to crush and jar.
    I am an herb fan through and through and glad to find you are too!
    Joy : )

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  23. Hi Rose,
    Those birds are cuties, and so are your kitties.

    How much snow did you end up with from Q? We just got 5.1 inches.

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  24. What beautiful roses! Roses for a Rose! ;-) your cats seem very alert to the presence of Mr. And Mrs. tufted Titmouse. I'm sure you are glad they're indoors! Having a good winter?

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  25. The roses are beautiful, what a lovely, thoughtful daughter you have Rose.

    It is so exciting to have a new species visit the garden and those pretty little birds are so sweet! The gradually revealed furry audience was such fun but I'm sure the birds were very glad they were behind glass :-)

    Sorry to get here so late Rose. It is lovely that you managed to fit a post in with your current busy schedule. I do hope it's going well and that you are enjoying it :-)

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  26. I forgot to say your Tufted Titmouse is very similar to our Crested Tit which is unfortunately confined mainly to Scotland.

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  27. Beautiful Roses from a wonderful daughter! Am glad to hear your teaching is keeping you busy. Makes for winter days to pass quickly! I had no idea you had so many fur balls! Love the pic of them watching TV. My girls enjoy the Nature Channel as well. Hee hee and yes, the birds and squirrels are smart enough to know they are save behind that glass.

    Happy Teaching!

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  28. Safe, as a teacher, dont you just love typos? :-)

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  29. The bird looks like it's just as entertained watching the cats as they are watching him! He's probably thinking "Prisoners! Haha!" I hope you're enjoying your brief stint as teacher again. At least you will be free again when the weather's nice.

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  30. What beautiful roses! How thoughtful....

    I love the pics of your cats looking out the window. Fly birds, fly!! LOL!

    Makes me want to get my cat back (can't - he's at the farm and happy). I am moving to a house (must blog about it, but I have no pics), so perhaps will get a cat or dog.
    Thanks for sharing that beautiful bouquet of roses - put a smile on my winter weary face today!

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  31. Lovely roses. Watching your cat on the windows is so cute, they really wanted to get the cute little birds however they cannot do anything.

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