Sunhine and Rain.....Contrast Needed......

- Sunshine and rain....we've had both the last few days. Today is sunny, a breeze, and mid 70s...with perhaps the brilliance of this glorious day a needed contrast to the storms that swept across much of the southern and eastern USA a few days ago. Mother Nature is often beyond description. While we are blessed to enjoy and appreciate the wonder of nature, as in these photos, many across our great land are suffering today. Thoughts and prayers.

- What is still blooming currently? Dogwoods....for about a month now! Unprecedented in my notes. The Black Locust is blooming locally, as is the Multiflora Rose, a species introduced from Japan in the 1860s that, due to prolific habits of survival and reproduction, has spread rapidly across much of the USA. It often forms inpenetrable tangles...but seeds are food for many species of birds and the showy white flowers are not unattractive. Also, the Pinxter Flower and Wild Azaleas are beginning to bloom in the woodlands across our area.

- Photos.....top to bottom.....(click to enlarge).....

1) The male Northern Cardinal....can't get enough of this species....this one enjoying a moment of rest after several of my sunflower seeds......

2) A Pink Dogwood in an area yard.....

3) Male (on left) and female Wood Ducks....taken at a distance - on Lake George....love is in the air.

4) Female Northern Cardinal (right) and one of the mainstays at my feeders....the Tufted Titmouse.

5) Caught this Red-Bellied Woodpecker trying to evict a grub from a crevice in an oak......

6) A female Downy Woodpecker taking a break after visiting my suet cake....

7) This photo should have perhaps taken the top spot....this male Pileated Woodpecker seems to be searching the trees for something....most likely it's mate, which had just flown from one of my feeders nearby.....