Finally! My yard is starting to live again!

Early spring is a great time here in my yard....

Common Grackel
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2efddd0d_h.jpgPurple Puffball by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Downy Woodpecker
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...14930e4e_h.jpgDowny woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Brown-headed Cowbird
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...61001b0e_h.jpgBrown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) male by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

White throated Sparrow
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3859c765_h.jpgWhite-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Black-Capped Chickadee
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...235dfccf_h.jpgBlack-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Blue Jay
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...edb064db_h.jpgBlue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Northern Cardinal
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...da8a57ec_h.jpgNorthern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

White-breasted Nuthatch
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...df2592db_h.jpgWhite-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Red-winged Blackbird (non-breeding male)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...54f81277_h.jpgRed-winged blackbird , Non-breeding male by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

Dark eyed Junco
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fc949055_h.jpgDark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

American Gold Finch
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9eefc4c3_h.jpgA splash of Yellow by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

and finally
Black-Capped Chickadee (drying off)
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...01790b27_h.jpgBad feather Day by Al Sabetta, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1c95b334_h.jpgGot a Comb? Anyone? by Al Sabetta, on Flickr


Backyard birding at it best here.

Wow! These photos! Just wow, Al!

And as for early spring, we're having one here too in NYC. Daffodils blooming a month ahead of schedule.

What a rich and excellent set of images Al :D I love them all. Do you have bird feeders in the yard?
Pat

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Originally Posted by gimaal

Wow! These photos! Just wow, Al!

And as for early spring, we're having one here too in NYC. Daffodils blooming a month ahead of schedule.

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Thank you!

My daffodils are probably going to bloom this upcoming week. I did see the Vinca in my yard has flowers on it already and the swamp maples have flowers. Early year for sure!

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Originally Posted by Second Hand Pat

What a rich and excellent set of images Al :D I love them all. Do you have bird feeders in the yard?
Pat

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Thanks Pat. Yes we maintain a feeder through the winter here and into early spring. CT bear population has grown so its a risk to do so much longer. Havent had one in my yard but in the neighborhood we have.

My backyard is wetlands and has a tiny brook most of the year..and is part of parcel of town open space. This attracts a good variety of birds and migrants returning like the blackbirds. We often have Mallards and turkey nesting there as well as indigo bunting, cedar waxwings, rose breasted grossbeaks, pileated woodpeckers, red shouldered hawks,common yellow throat warblers, Eastern Phoebe,grey cat birds, and Ravens as well as the more common birds likes cardinals,chickadees,finches, and jays and crows.

I have spent a good amount of time planting cover plants too and leaving good nesting sites availible.


Spring here can bring all sorts of visitors and nesting birds. Its a real wild kingdom.

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Originally Posted by brewmaster15

Thank you!

My daffodils are probably going to bloom this upcoming week. I did see the Vinca in my yard has flowers on it already and the swamp maples have flowers. Early year for sure!

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As I suspect you know, the USDA has revised the hardiness zones map and most of us are a zone warmer than we were on the last map. The birds and the daffodils clearly got the memo.

Everything is coming alive. My daffodils are done. The Iris will bloom next. My Blueberry bushes are full of flowers which inturn are full of bees. I've got yellow onions and 'taters planted. Tomorrow, if it's not too wet after today's rain, I'll plant a Celebrity tomato and a Roma tomato. I've got parsley, thyme, cilantro and rosemary. I can only plant what the deer won't eat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brewmaster15

Thank you!

My daffodils are probably going to bloom this upcoming week.

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I looked out in my back yard this morning and mine are in full bloom. I wish they lasted longer...

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Originally Posted by LizStreithorst

Everything is coming alive. My daffodils are done. The Iris will bloom next. My Blueberry bushes are full of flowers which inturn are full of bees. I've got yellow onions and 'taters planted. Tomorrow, if it's not too wet after today's rain, I'll plant a Celebrity tomato and a Roma tomato. I've got parsley, thyme, cilantro and rosemary. I can only plant what the deer won't eat.

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Liz its so weird reading all you have going on now in March.. thats pretty much my May here. Im a bit jealous. For me the winter months are so hard as I love gardening and growing vegetables. Ive planted Roma and celebrity here too... and a couple others.. I always plant cherry tomatoes too as they make a great snack when I am in the yard.

The last frost isn't generally until the end of March. Last year a late freeze took out my entire blueberry crop. This year I replanted my 'maters in larger pots and will plant them in the ground so that if it gets below 32 I can pull the pots and bring them inside. I can cover the basil. A frost will hurt my blueberries a bit. Last year, it got so warm so early that the bushes already had pretty green berries when it got down to 12 degrees my pretty berries all turned brown.