The Sweetest Face

Or, Fritz and Bicycle

Green Spider and Sombreuil

8.23.2008 update:
This is a green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans.

This is the most beautiful and fascinating spider I have ever seen. He is around 3/4-1" with legs; found hanging out on the first blooming Sombreuil rose.

The House Finch

Straight up, and with pompadour.

The Lesser Goldfinches

So these aren't the greatest photos in the world, but the little birds are so attractive and sweet nonetheless. It saddens Hugh that any bird is called "lesser."

The Scrub Jays

Such handsome chaps! Though come to think of it, and I haven't before now, either the males and females have the same coloring, or we have no females around here, which doesn't sound possible, as there are flocks of babies every spring. So, handsome chaps and ladies!

Cocoon on Madrone Leaf

Trumpet or Cross?

I can't remember which one—the less invasive, whichever that is. I love this photo.

Orioles and Hummingbirds

The hummingbirds appeared last weekend. On March 14th, a week ago Friday, we saw the first one, and two more showed up on Saturday. They were all males; I saw a female only this weekend just past.

AND...we heard the first oriole this morning! Every spring we wait and wait to hear the song that lets us know they have returned. Then we put on our oriole outfits and dance around the patio at sunrise with the raccoons. Yes. Yes, we do. Really. Ssshhh.

The Striped Moth Appears Again, As Do Many of His Family

This striped moth settled itself prettily into this incense dish on the kitchen windowsill. I think every one of the many moths in the house that night was of the same family.

Wisteria

The large wisteria on the east side of the house is always the first to blossom. These photos of early buds are from a week ago; now it is going into full bloom mood (photos to come).

Pine in Spring

I believe that this may be an Eldarica pine, but I am still new at this tree-identification thing. There are many, many trees out there, and so little time...

Chickadee

The Tiny Bug Found Crawling On My Hand Last Weekend

For scale: on my fingertip

White-Crowned Sparrow

This little white-crowned sparrow has become a regular visitor at the feeders. Before this winter, I had never seen one of these around here. He is like a tiny bobwhite!

Fox and Moth

"Fox," says Rabbit, "Do you know that there's a little moth riding on your back?"

Do I know?" says Fox. "Do you not see the fallen bull before us, slain by this mighty Moth? Bow down, ye, and give our Moth his rightful due and homage, for without him, we surely would have perished. Hail to the Mighty Moth!"

"HAIL!" says Rabbit, and Sheep and Frog raise their voices with her own. "HAIL TO THE MOTH!"

Post-it Art

Under tape, hence the fog and blur; but he's an old favorite; indeed, a relic of the Place Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned Where Once (and For Too Long) I Toiled, and Produced Much Art from Angst (the Silver Lining to That Cloud)

The Flag We Fly

My Tree in Spring

Thanks to Howard Garrett's Texas Trees, I have learned that my tree is a winged elm. It is covered in new leaves, seemingly overnight; I looked out one day this week and it was glowing with green. The leaves are this small:

That is my thumbnail for scale.

Things in Bloom

Roses, Carolina jessamine, tulip tree (saucer magnolia) and jessamine again. The climbing rose came with the house; I don't know what it is, but it looks more like Old Blush than anything else in my only rose book (Roses in the Southern Garden, by Shoup). It has the most enticing peppery scent; I've never smelled any other rose like it.