Spring beauty

When I got home from Wisconsin, it was so good to see all the beauty of spring in Kansas!

The orioles had migrated up to our state!  I put out the feeder just in time for them.  I just had this feeling... I put out 1/2 orange, grape jelly and sugar water (1 part water to 1 part sugar - I heat up the water and then dissolve sugar in the water).

The purple martins had also arrived!

It is a chore to keep the sparrows out of the purple martin apartment complex!

The war is on!

The spring rains began.

If you wonder why we duct tape the middle sections, we have read that the purple martins get along much better with space between them.  We may try to purchase a house with dividers between the openings.  Here are some options when we buy a new one.  They can get pretty pricey!

 

I love the cry of the blue jay.

Their courting call is quite interesting!  

This one sat on my deck and bobbed his head while chortling.

The rains have filled up our creek behind our home and the great egret likes to fish in it.

The hummingbird arrived a little later than past years.

I mix 4 parts water to 1 part sugar for this feeder.

A Bible verse I happened to read this morning:  be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” Matthew 10:16.  We are to be wise and also innocent as we represent Christ here on earth.

For the beauty of the earth

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies

Lord of all to Thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise

For the beauty of the hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale
And tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light 

Lord of all to Thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise