Earlier this week I decided to hang out the humming bird feeders and fill up the bird feeders.  The first week of April the "scouts" are out to find the feeding places.

I have "feeding stations" strategically planted around my house.  One on the deck.  One just outside the bay window in the kitchen and another outside the window of my home office.  Each station has different kinds of seeds to attract different types of birds and to hopefully provide a wide variety so they don't fight so much. 

One of the true signs of spring is to watch as the male golden finch turns from grey/green to gold as the weather gets warmer.  You can tell the females because they don't change.

The golden finches are quite a feisty little bird.  I have several of finch feeders because they draw quite a crowd and it is fun to watch them but not fun to watch them fight over food.  Especially when there is plenty for everyone. 

Since I started feeding the birds I have tried to learn more about them and learn and identify the different ones that visit.

We recently purchased the property we live in currently so last fall I planted some bulbs and it is so rewarding to see them come up.  They brighten up the entire yard.  I think that it is very rewarding when I put things in the yard and they come up in the spring. 

I love to garden and I've got a large yard to work in this spring and summer.  I think decorating the outside of the home is as important as decorating the inside.    I think gardening is very therapeutic.   I just feel peaceful and calm after spending time playing in the garden.  The deer wander through our yard in the early part of the morning and I've seen where they have nibbled the tops of my hyithisins.  But today I saw a few bees out working.

This male oriole to the right is giving other birds a piece of his mind.  If you put fruit out you are bound to attract a few of these beautiful birds.  They love oranges. 

Although the tulips are not in bloom yet we have plenty of other spring flowers in bloom. Watching them come alive is inspiring because everything seems to start over and feel fresh and new again.

It is great living in this area of the country because spring does come pretty early here and the growing season lasts quite a long while.