Backyard Flora and Fauna

Sitting on the patio or sitting in the living room and observing through the big glass doors has become one of the favorite things to do here.  Filling the feeders has meant a steady supply of activity.  The flowers in the yard are a constant delight and the ones I have added are growing well.  I was worried a bit about growing things in Montana, but my fears have been groundless.

The flowers are a delight this year, especially the sweet peas.  I just wish they were a more fragrant variety.  

Mandavilla blooms 

Spruce cones at the top of the tree

Sweet Peas

"Yellow" flowers and seed heads (not sure what it is)

We have had a few butterflies coming through.  I haven't been able to find out what the name of this little fellow is yet.

But our favorites are the birds.

Sometimes we have a crowd at the feeders.  I have missed the hummingbirds at the feeder.  Maybe better luck next year now that they know we have a feeder. 

Of course, some still have their own feeders, even if they are big enough to be feeding themselves. 

House finches are plentiful, as are magpies. 

It seems we are down a couple of squirrels.  They weren't quite as fast as the dogs it seems.

Black-capped chickadees are starting to appear at the feeder. 

Not a Mourning Dove (as I first thought), but the Eurasian Collared Dove.  Yesterday, as I took out the trash, I startled a flock of about 20 in the alley behind the house.

Another favorite of mine are the crows.  They are so stately and I do love the fact that a flock is called a 'murder'. 

Then the blackbird is plentiful at the feeder too.

This is what I think is a Brewer's Blackbird female with a Grackle scarfing up bread crumbs.

But the most unique feeder we have in the backyard is the Lady K bird.  She is seated on her favorite outdoor perch.

A messy feeder, she has a distinctive call and is very social.

Day 4 - The Finale

Day 3 meant arrival late into Rapid City and the 3 of us dropping into bed late and exhausted.  About 3:30am Texter felt compelled to wake me and advise me that I was snoring.  This is only after about 3 hours of sleep.  Then about 4am she announced her water had broken.  So waking Gibbs up, I asked the front desk how to get to the hospital and sent Gibbs and Texter on their way.  Someone had to stay with the dogs.

So "Lady KB" was born at 2:38 pm on the 24th of March, eight days early.  (Of course, these pictures are of her about 1 week and 2 weeks old.)

An extra night was spent by me in Rapid City, before I headed on out to the house to get things unloaded and what little we had with us in the house and to do a grocery run.  The dogs were glad to get there as they now had a yard to run in.  I love it that I don't have to 'leash them up' in order to go pee....just open the back door.

Leaving Rapid City

Couple of things I discovered on the way from Rapid City to Great Falls.  First off, Rapid City was an introduction to the WIND we would be experiencing.  No one said a word about the wind when we were getting ready to relocate.  I mean WIND.  I thought I was use to wind growing up in Texas, but that Texas wind is puny compared to this wind.

Another thing I discovered as I drove through Wyoming and Montana was that I now had a serious need for a John Wayne Western fix.  Or a horse to ride.

So here we are, Gibbs and Texter's stuff is moved in and we are trying to find a schedule for Lady K.  I still have a trip back to North Carolina to pack up my stuff and get it moved out.  But I am loving Great Falls and can't wait for get out with my camera for more pictures.