Visitors to My Garden

I've been in blogger slacker land. Life is busy. We've been having trouble with a Heron who has breakfast every mornign at our Koi pond. So far he has eaten three prized Shebunkins. Okay well two. One he left on the mulch for us, disemboweled, apparently from a full belly. I'm not happy. I've declared war on this bird. Koi are expensive and he will not dine at the all you can eat buffet. Larry first saw the culprit the other morning when he returned from his jog. The bird was happily grazing, finding which fish were most delicious. Larry scared him off and the Heron roosted in the pine tree outside of our bedroom. Not happy.

Beautiful bird but he needs to leave my gorgeous Koi alone.

The Heron...sort of.

So today, after working the night shift at the hospital, in my bleary eyed stupor while making coffee at 1pm, I look out my window and see the Heron sitting there. Mocking me-sizing up his next meal. I ran out in my very attractive pink fuzzy zipper up the front granny robe to scare him off. Why won't he move? Plastic-drat my husband. I asked for netting, not the tacky plastic flamingo statues to adorn my garden. Drat. Truly a video for America's Funniest Videos. Tae loves him and is thinking of a name. Even gave him a bowl of fish food to sample before the Koi got it. Sweet kid. Feeding the wildlife that is feeding on MY wildlife.

The girls have been moved to the big coop. We still haven't named most of them. So far we have Ginger, Butter and Trouble (the one who always pecks our hands and charges the door). Next week they will be able to go outside if the weather is good. We've had rain just about every day for the past three weeks and I don't want the babies to get chilled or wet. They are only four weeks old and still need the heat lamp. They are looking very dinosaurish these days as their feathers start to come in. Each day they are perching on higher levels and spreading their wings wanting to fly and be free. Just like kids-always wanting to grow up too fast.

These were two extra tomato plants that I had and no room in my garden to plant them. I couldn't bear to throw them out so they went in a planter. I'll move them to a bigger planter tomorrow. I planted 36 tomato plants in hopes of doing massive canning/preserving this year.

The Mint is doing well and is delicious in homemade iced tea, Greek pork and of course Mojitos!

Can you hear the four baby Wrens inside? Both the Mom and Dad are very busy feeding their babies but still find time to yell at me when I'm in the garden. They are very ungrateful even though I supply them with numerous bugs in the garden.

The sunflowers are starting to come up but I have to replant all my gourds. Not one sprout this year. I don't know if it is all the rain and lack of sun but the pumpkins haven't sprouted at all either. How frustrating. My Dad always grew sunflowers so when they are in full bloom I feel very connected to him. It's like his face smiling on my garden.

The visitors to my garden are many. These tiny white flowers are everywhere and you wouldn't notice them unless you got up close. I have no idea what they are but they are a pleasant surprise and seem to be everywhere.

The view off of our upper deck overlooking our garden with the chicken coop and future goat barn in the back.

Morgan and her friend Gab on the swings.

The side yard, pool and Koi pond.

I don't know what these flowers are. Someone told me they were Oxalis, but they resemble Primose so I really have no idea. They are just beautiful and the bees love them. Anyone know what they are?

My Lavender needs to be picked tomorrow at the latest. The blossoms are just starting to open and are at their peak. I will dry some and make sleep pillows out of the rest.

My Favorite Ballerina Rose.

It is supposed to be a dwarf variety but with all the rain we've had someone forgot to tell the plants that they are dwarf. Just beautiful. The weeding has gotten away from me. Three weeks of rain and weeds are everywhere and I'm not sure I can catch up.

The Ferns in my shade garden are monsters. I've never seen them this big.

The pink Astilbe is just starting to bloom.

The Wild Honeysuckle is just about ready to bloom. Next week, the heady smell will be overwhelming and the bees will buzz and the Hummingbirds will be in their glory.

We had our first Echinacea start to bloom. Our friend from church, Dan, is going to harvest a bunch of these and make an Echinacea tincture.

The Clematis is loving the rain and has spread all over my fence surrounding the pool.

Another Clematis that is stunning.

A weed that I wish I knew what it was. Very pretty. Can I eat it or make a jam?

My water lillies are blooming.

The Bullfrogs were resting in the warm sun today.

And smaller frogs hid in the mulch. Can you see me?

Even this Garden snake found glory in the day was basking in the warm sun on the rocks surrounding the pond. He seemed to have a full belly of something.

Is there any better month than June?