Backyard Birds--7

I don't see the Red-bellied woodpecker that often, but when he shows up he is certainly noticeable.  He and the Downy woodpeckers occasionally will work on the suet, but often are just working on the trees in the backyard.

You can almost see the red belly on this one.

Metz Carillon

This is an interesting photo.  I occasionally go to the Student Recreational Sports Center to walk when the weather is bad.  I was there one morning shortly after sunrise and saw the Metz Carillon through the window.  I had my little MP3 player that also acts as a radio and camera (and other stuff I don't use).  I don't usually use the camera (you can see why), but I snapped the picture anyhow.  I think it actually looks pretty interesting--almost like a water color (click to enlarge).

Winter garden time

It just got down to freezing again last night, but they promised that it would be a hard (low 20's) freeze tonight.  I went ahead yesterday and erected two of my "cold frames" to see if I can get some veggies again this winter.  I planted one row of Olympia spinach and one row of kale.  I think I am about two weeks (or more) behind my planting time last year.  It took quite a bit of effort to till the two rows--there still has been almost no rain here for nearly three months now.  I probably should pick what Swiss Chard is left today.

Haircut time in the garden for the Cymbopogon

We have only had light frosts so far, but the temperature is supposed to drop to the mid-twenties this week, so this was a good day to give my Lemon Grasses (Cymbopobon) a haircut and put them in storage in the garage.    I started doing this four years ago.  It essentially remains dormant as long as I don't water it or leave it in the light too much.  In the spring I take it out of the clay pot and break it up into clumps for replanting in the garden.

What is wonderful is to mulch the trimmed grass with the lawnmower--the lemon fragrance is almost overwhelming!

Backyard Birds--6

I guess to be honest I have to include this guy even though I don't really like him!  I shouldn't complain too much since last year it seemed like we had hundreds of crows in the early fall and this year there have been only a few (knock on wood!). 

Backyard Birds--5

Today's bird is a White-throated Sparrow.  I confess I didn't notice the yellow "eyebrows" when I snapped the picture (click on photo to enlarge if you want to see the eyebrows).

My new camera lens

My new camera lens is wide angle, but has a few drawbacks.  The main one is that it is built into the front door.