spring – Page 2 – New England's Narrow Road

They’re Heeeeeere – The Black Flies Return

Black flies are the worst of all bugs. I’ve lived in Florida where the spiders are the size of your hand. Seriously, I have seen some enormous spiders in my life. I’ve dealt with cockroaches, palmetto bugs and banana spiders (pictured) and I don’t like any of them, but none of them kept me from being able to go outside.

About a week ago I was outside enjoying our stint of sunny, dry (too dry) weather and sure enough I thought I saw a black fly. They are tiny, but something about the way they fly past your head is unmistakable. Then a few days later as I was watering the tulips I got bitten and they were swarming me like mad. I had to go inside.

So from now until the beginning of June there will be no enjoying the outdoors up here in New Hampshire. I could try riding a bike and move faster than them (if only I wouldn’t have to walk up the hills – ya, right). I won’t be going for walks on the nice days or doing much yard work. I will still take my chances and go outside, but one of my arms already has 5 bites that are swollen and itchy. Ahhhh Spring.

Trying to ID Some Things In My New Yard (newenglandsnarrowroad.wordpress.com)

The Chickadees are Building a Nest

Nest building by chickadees — Birdhouse and chickadee

I just noticed yesterday that a chickadee was peering into the birdhouse I’ve had hanging on the slanted post out back. I was so excited to see that maybe she was considering using it to raise a family, so I watched for a while and sure enough she went in. And another chickadee came along and he / she ? (who knows with chickadees) went inside too.

Then, today I ate my lunch outside on the deck and watched as they brought mouthfulls of grass into the birdhouse.

Chickadees are one of the most beloved birds. They are relatively unafraid of humans, and never squabble amongst themselves. They appear to be the best natured birds fluttering around the yard.

The birdhouse is one I’ve had for many years. When I lost my home, I took it (and others) with me and put them up at the various rentals I’ve had over the past six years, but no bird ever used it to build a nest.

Now that I have a home of my own, the house will be used! I think that is awesome. So I will enjoy watching the parents occupy the birdhouse, which sits just a few feet from my deck out back, and I’ll listen for the chirping of the babies one day!

I am not very good at photographing wildlife, but I’ll try to get some good shots as the babies appear.
You can see in the photo below how close they will be to my deck.

backyard deck and lawn — The proximity of the birdhouse to the deck.

Photos of Spring – Tulips and Daffodils in New Hampshire

So we are all thrilled that the warm weather has arrived. We are not as happy about the lack of rain, but this next week will hopefully bring relief to the dry and dusty yards and gardens.
I’ve been photographing the plantings at my new house and these orange and white tulips were a nice little surprise for me.

I think that everyone takes their plants outside, if they have a porch or deck, once the weather warms up so the poor things can get a taste of sunshine! I know that my plants look very happy out there.

deck with table and chairs — Plants on the deck - they love it!

I planted the tulips and some are coming up nicely but others are looking a bit funny. This red one doesn’t seem quite right, but the color is stupendous! Sorry, the photo is a bit blurry, but I just love that color.

bright red tulip — Red Tulip - not a great picture, but love the bright red!

I finally got the hose hooked up so I could give these babies some water. It’s as dry as a bone around these parts. I guess I planted all the peach ones together. Who can remember from last Fall..?

tulips in a rock garden — peach colored tulip flowers

As you can see, my front yard has almost no grass. I will have a lot of gardening work and landscaping to do this year.

Trying to ID Some Things In My New Yard

golden yellow tulip — yellow tulip with bee

It’s mid April, the sun is shining and it’s warm outside. I make all kinds of plans to do yard work, or take a walk or just sit on my new little deck and enjoy watching the birds. Then I remind myself that I will get eaten alive by the black flies.

It’s one of those days for me, when nothing seems to be right. I can’t concentrate on work and the news on television all seems bad. I need something, but don’t know what. Something to look forward to maybe?

I went outside where I always go when I want to feel better, and I took my camera – the heck with the flies. This is my first Spring in this new house so it’s the first chance I’ve had to see what is growing in the yard that I didn’t know about. And honestly there isn’t much!

I did some planting in summer and fall after I moved in. The tulips I planted are coming up and the daffodils were here already.

This little green planting with small blue flowers, and the tree with the white flowers are new to me and I don’t know what they are (see below). I can’t find the book I used to have to help me identify trees and flowers in New England, so if you know, please leave me a comment.