Week 46

 "Absence makes the heart grow fonder,
but it sure makes the rest of you lonely,"

~ Charles M. Schulz

The Diaz Family departed at the "butt-crack" of dawn Wednesday. It's so quiet and I already miss them and all their spirit. Unfortunately, I didn't get a lot of photos this week as I was busy enjoying the moments before they had to leave.

Having a snack while waiting for bother to get out of school.

Our last meal together before they fly back home. 

These kids had so much fun together. 

Our new photographer. Yay!!

Thursday sunrise.

Feasting American Finches.

I couldn't decide which photo I liked best.

The movie quote that keeps coming to mind here is...

"Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."

Week 38

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall." ~ Oscar Wilde

I took a lot of photos this week, and it took a bit to sort through them all. Then I had to pick my favorites. 

The highlight of my week was playing with Paisley's new bubble machine. Well, also photographing flowers, birds, a butterfly, and the clouds, and, oh yeah, IT'S FALL!

An American Goldfinch. 

They are getting more comfortable with me sitting a little closer to their food source.

We had some amazing cloud-scapes this week. 

Signs of fall.

Best bubble machine EVER!

"My bubbles."

Cosmos at Heather Farms.

Just practicing with manual focus on a Mexican Sunflower 

when this Gulf Fritillary decided to have a snack. 

Miss Cleo on one of her thrones.

Art in the back yard, every chance we get. 

Test drive.

City Hall, again. I love the reflections from the pond. 

Week 19

We had some bipolar weather this week and it was beautiful out there. We're still feeding baby birds in the backyard and now Lizards have found the stash. The Warriors made it into the Western Conference Finals! All is well here, but yes, I have a whole lot of words and feelings about all that is happening in the world right now to get into here. 

Just keep swimming.

This Black-capped Chickadee will take a mealworm right out of the dish when

we hold it out to him.

Feeding time for the baby Phoebe. 

I've lost count of how many we have now.

Post power nap shenanigans. 

I think this is the full bloom for these this season.

Meet Bella. 

My new victim houseplant to replace Fern who suffered a slow overwatered demise. 

My first attempt at a digital faux batik painted Sea Turtle. 

I'm currently working on my second one. Practice, practice, practice...makes better.

Hubs and I went on a morning bike ride with these two cuties. 

A four-foot Pacific Gopher snake crossed our path. 

Having a snack and hanging out in the back of the pick-up after our ride.

Week 18

The first week of May and another fly-by-week. Where does the time go? Spent some time on my bike photographing flowers and birds. I love Spring!

Cleaning the house while listening to Taylor Swift and taking a break for a selfie.

Sally's roses are just about done blooming. 

Taco Thursday for Cinco de Mayo.

Bike riding selfie. Two for May because I forgot to take one in April.

Oh, and that sky though!

Our local family of Geese. 

A Saturday day trip to Lowes. 

The Garden center is my favorite.

The elusive Tufted Titmouse. 

The baby Bluebirds are here! 

Daddy Bluebird waiting for more mealworms to feed the kids.

My delicious Frittata for Mother's Day brunch at Vic's.

Week 10

I know it's still winter, but spring is here in Northern California, and it is glorious! The trees and flowers are blooming, the Bees are buzzing, and the birds - well, the birds are always here, and that's a good thing.

I finally got to see my grandkids after three weeks of isolation. I swear they have grown a couple of inches and gotten even more brilliant.

I did a lot of shooting and had to whittle down my images for the week to just ten from a gagillion. Ha! Sometimes it feels like that many, and I love it.

Onward.

Cooper's Hawk looking for a snack.

The bees are so happy!

It's not easy getting these two to sit still together. 

Homemade goodies I ordered from an amazing artist in Maine. 

Ready to go to school.

Lunchtime.

Macro rose petals. I love how this feels.

This one smells divine.

Yep, more roses

A male Downy Woodpecker. They are always watching.

Week 8

I am still suffering from the 'rona. 

By suffering, I mean I'm tired, have head and chest congestion, and a low fever, sometimes. It's really not that bad, but it seems to be just hanging on too long. I feel a little better each day and can't wait to go somewhere. Anywhere.

In the meantime, I'll keep taking pictures around the house, sitting out back in the sun, watching movies, reading, learning Procreate on my iPad, and ordering groceries online.

Trying to get over the 'rona

Correction: My Lavender survived the winter and it's blooming!

(I blame the 'rona for calling this Rosemary)

Male Flicker waiting for the suet to be replenished.

Can't tell if this is a female or an immature male Anna's.

Sunshine in the backyard!

More roses blooming next door.

We said goodbye to this beast. 

Thank you for eight years of camping and riding.