Fleurs, Fins, & Furries
at The Surgeon’s House
Beauty is Where we Find it! (I think!)
This little romance is so comical we simply HAD to share it with everyone. Several years ago, we created a holiday tree out of broken pieces of mirror.
Peeking & Preparing
As we await another onslaught of cold and blustery weather, it seems all creatures and beings – feathered and green – are preparing and peeking, each in their own unique and perfect way. Our feathered folks are stocking up.
Winter Treasures
Here we are 3/4ths of our way through February and bracing for another burst of Old Man Winter.
On the Wings of the Angels
I have become so enamored with the feather folks recently I have had to make a commitment to save NO additional images of them – ha!
Packed Airspace
We are astounded about the new eating habits of the doves leaving the ground to frequent the feeder and lately they have been frequently joined by the cardinals and the rufus-sided towhees giving the jays a run for their money.
Heavenly Flight Patterns
With the onset of colder weather, our feathered folks have returned en masse.
Away in the Manger
Look at our new mama and her late-season babes.
Family Get togethers
These not-so-youngsters-anymore raccoons and skunks have virtually grown up together and it is heart-warming to see that their ease and cooperation continue.
The Family that Plays together, Stays together
We have experienced the absolute delight of seeing Mama raccoon bring her FIVE HEALTHY BABES to our feeding station for the last 3 months or so. When they first showed themselves they were about the size of an average lady’s shoe and could not climb the tree.
Summer Retreat
As the weather portends the coming of winter, many of our friends are moving into a warmer space just as we respond to that going within and hunkering down instinct. A praying mantis prepares to dine on a wasp in the atrium door, and I scurry around looking for those last couple of zinnias and the roses that blush (just the slightest) from the cold nights . . .
Mother Nature’s Peanut Gallery
With the autumn equinox upon us things are shifting and changing in our outside world. Spider Lady preps her dindin and the night-blooming cereus gives us her last show of the season.
Blooming and Thriving
September seems to have everyone making nice with everyone else and who would guess that zinnias need a local spider as guardian?
The Hostess with the Mostest
It seems our conifers have hung out the ‘Vacancy’ sign and look who has moved in – the weeping blue atlas cedar is now home to a morning glory and the blue spruce has given a leg up to the rose bush at its base.
News from the Outside Hinterland
We continue to be blessed by the extraordinary monsoons that allow Mother Earth to help everything to thrive. And everyone is getting along which as it should be.
What did you do on your family vacation?
Our little raccoon family returned just days after their first visit and look at what quick and precocious learners the kids are. Just days ago, mom was helping everybody and now they are VERY BIG kiddos.
Cuteness OVERLOAD!
If you have an aversion to saying “ooooh” and “aaaaah” I suggest that you stop reading this post right this minute! We were just commenting that it must have been an unfortunate year for any raccoon family as we hadn’t seen babies yet and lo and behold, look who visited us last evening. . .mama and FIVE babes!
Who could be so Precious?
The elusive Miss Jemima Pearl was caught at ‘her post.’ Our night blooming cereus gave us its ALL yet again and our family of skunks is just beyond belief. The little guy who has puffed himself up can’t be as long as a size 8 ladies’ shoe! He looks like a stuffed toy. . .
Magical Garden Liaisons
Take a look at who July has perfectly paired in the love arena outside.
Waterworld Revisited
Once again Joshua and I enjoyed the good fortune of an opportunity to hang the ‘gone fishin’ sign and trekked to Phoenix where we honed our koi-herding and transporting skills, returning with 8 glorious beauties!
Sweet Peeks
The monsoons brought just a few minutes of hail which was just enough to pockmark our lily pads but look at the sweeties that waited to bloom until after that storm.
Garden Peak
You may get weary of my child-like delight and surprise at what presents itself in the gardens and yard but I love these treats.
Garden Walking
Look what the frenzied chaos of summer is bringing us.
And the beat ramps up
Walk and peek with me . . .
Miracles and surprising delights
As I was huffing my way up the Reunited Resurrection garden steps after my run, look at what opened my eyes! Randy the cactus has NEVER made so many blooms all at once and there is one more to come!
The Classic Koi Kaper
This week was a HUMONGOUS one on our Coconut Island in the Sky koi world as we travelled to two locations in Phoenix to collect new finned folks ranging in size from 3” – 16”.