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  1. Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We’love ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

    1. Maybe there are some females out there in the same shape. I don’t want him to be lonely.

  2. That male cardinal is molting – look at Google images.

    You have a wonderful green thumb…I always thought your patio plants and house plants were some of the lushest, pretties plants I’ve ever seen.

  3. Such a beautiful garden, and such great photos of it and your “visitors”.

  4. What a beautiful collection of flowers and plants, Brenda! How many plants do you think you have been nurturing this year? And how is the little jade tree doing?

    Even though the squirrels are pests in some folks opinions I enjoy watching their antics when they come and raid the bird feeders. After all they are another of the many wondrous creatures that we share the planet with and I am always awed by the number of different species there are. I do intend to do something to keep the squirrels from stealing the bird seed though. And figure out a place to put some food for them, too. Maybe then they won’t be so interested in the birds’ food. Mayb

    Give Charlie a pat and a yourself a hug. And enjoy those flowers before they are gone for the Winter!

    1. I know I have nurtured more plants this year than I did last year. I had to give two outdoor chairs away to make room for them! Jade is in the shade. Her leaves were getting burned in the bright sun. I too love those silly squirrels. So fun to watch!

  5. It looks like the cardinal may be a junior who is molting away his juvenile feathers and getting his full adult color. We’re on our 3rd or 4th egg hatching this season for the robins, and 2nd egg hatch for the cardinals. They make the most of the summer weather here!

    1. Wherever the birds went for about a month, they seem to be coming back now. Thank goodness! I missed them.

  6. I love your beautiful garden and all your photos ,I am very glad that Charlie is better .
    We must take care of our precious fur babies .
    I am flat of my back most days ,awaiting spinal surgery in September from a bad fall last year.
    Thank you for making my days better !
    I am so glad I found your blog page !

    1. I’m so sorry about your fall. I hope your spinal surgery is successful and you’re no longer in pain soon.

  7. A few days ago, I saw a blue jay who looked quite ragged and like the thatch was missing from his head. I was really worried. Then another photographer blogger posted an almost identical photo of a blue jay in his yard. He commented the jay looked so ragged because he was molting. Relief. It was a similar look to your cardinal. Apparently the process goes by quickly.

      1. Oh good! I was afraid it was sick. I just read that molting makes them irritable because it itches.

  8. Such beautiful pics, Brenda. The wren one is perfect! Love the way his “feet” span the fence gap.
    And your garden is wonderful – good job, you! Hoping you and Charlie are well and continue to be so. Thanks for sharing with us,
    Mary

    1. Those little wrens always seem to look awkward with their feet. They’re full of mischief.

  9. Your garden is beautiful. I wish you could work on my yard. We have no rain in summer, or very little, and everything goes dormant or dies. I never know what to plant for these conditions and we have to watch our water usage. I make up for it with indoor plants that do fairly well.

    1. At least you have your indoor plants. We get quite a bit of rain.

  10. Brenda,
    Good morning! You have created a magical wonderland in your garden! Everything is so beautiful, except the grasshopper. I do not like those things.

    I hope Charlie is feeling better. How is your eye?

    Have a great day!

    1. The right eye is fine. Kind of itchy today. Charlie is sleeping.

  11. Your patio plants are wonderful! I too have just a patio but alas I don’t have your green thumb! But I keep trying!

  12. Hopefully, the cardinal is just molting. Here in Michigan, this usually occurs in late July and August. They lose their feathers and sometimes have bald heads after the stressful season of mating and taking care of their young. They will grow completely new feathers to protect themselves against the coming cold weather season.

  13. I love your photos. Theyare absolutely beautiful. They make my day. Wishing my flower garden was half as gorgeous as yours.

  14. I THINK IT’S A YOUNG JUVENILE MALE, JUST COMING INTO ADULTHOOD. THEY LOSE THE “BABY ” FEATHERS SLOWLY REPLACED WITH THE BEAUTIFUL RED ADULT ONES. THEIR BEAKS AND FEET ALSO TURN FROM THE BLACKISH BROWN OF YOUTH TO THE ORANGE YOU SEE HERE.
    I SAY THIS BASED ON THE ONES I HAVE SEEN RECENTLY JUST OUTSIDE MY WINDOW, FEASTING ON THE SUNFLOWERS I PUT OUT FOR THEM.

  15. The top part of the iris rhizome should be above the soil in order to bloom. The iris will never bloom if it is buried too deep and the rhizome is completely covered with soil. I had about 200 blooms this May that I started with just 10 rhizomes 35 years ago taken from my mother’s backyard that she planted in 1961. I have divided and they have multiplied all these years. You should be very proud of your lovely garden. I can only imagine what your former gardens must have looked like (probably-paradise).

    1. I have heard that. Next year I’ll dig them out a little. Or maybe in the fall.

  16. Cardinal has some type of bug or parasite like mites .My sedum is already changing – central VA

  17. Maybe the poor cardinal has mites and has dug at his skin too much? I hope not. I have a tree out my window and I watch the birds and saw one who was going crazy with itching, and I felt so sorry for it.

    Aren’t grasshoppers wonderful to observe. I love their bodies, and you captured all the details in your photo, which I loved studying.

  18. I thought it might be a baby cardinal?? Your patio is gorgeous, you have made a beautiful spot to enjoy and relax in. Have a super Sunday!

  19. Your patio is so very lovely! Thank you for the grand tour. It is amazing how much wildlife you get to enjoy in the space you have. What a haven for you!

    1. The great thing is you don’t need much space to attract wildlife. Could be a balcony.

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