Noisy Grackles

/ Rebecca / 5 Comments

I often enjoy retreating to the quietness of our backyard to sit and enjoy nature.  But recently, the backyard was unusually noisy due to several families of Common Grackles.  The dull brown juveniles screeched and squawked, demanding their parents’ attention.  The adults chattered as they made continual trips to the feeders in order to satisfy the endless appetites of the insistent juveniles.  Though an interesting scene to observe, the disturbance made by the grackles was quite the opposite of the peace and quiet that I had been expecting to find.

“We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.”  ~Samuel Johnson

Sitting by the road

/ Rebecca / 9 Comments

This little rabbit looked content sitting in a shaded white clover patch beside the road.

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”  ~Jane Austen

Field of sunflowers

/ Rebecca / 7 Comments

One of the fields near our house is growing a crop of sunflowers this year.  Immature sunflower buds turn their heads during the day to track the motion of the sun (heliotropism).  Generally, by the time they mature and their heads become heavier, they face the east in order to catch heat from the early morning light.  The majority of the sunflowers in this field are facing east, but there are still a few that appear to be “looking around”.

“Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it.  And that’s such an admirable thing.  And such a lesson in life.”  ~Helen Mirren

Queen Anne’s Lace

/ Rebecca / 5 Comments

Presently, our country road is lined in places with rows of Queen Anne’s Lace.  The beautiful white wildflowers give the roadside a magical appearance.

… Her lawn looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne’s Lace!
~Edna St. Vincent Millay