1/15/2004 Just as I was exiting the back door, a Carolina wren was busily flitting about the eave of the house checking for spiders, one of his endearing charms. Where normally would be hanging baskets of ferns and ivy, I had hung now unused watering cans. He was as pretty as a picture perched on the lip of a particular galvanized one that had captured his attention. I wonder if he were considering it a nesting site. In the past I have found them roosting in the hanging ferns. Once, when I brought a fern inside because of the cold, a Carolina wren flew out in the house. That was quite exciting...getting him back out again. It's colder today but while I was out, I put a birdbath under the crepe myrtle near the kitchen window bird feeding station to, hopefully, attract more birds.

1/14/2004 It's warm enough for the honey bees to be out sipping nectar from the violas. Busy little bees don't waste a minute. A flock of cedar waxwings lit in the top of the pin oak next door taking turns swooping out into mid air for insects. They have the smoothest texture and coloration. I have to remind myself those are feathers. Today, they are my favorite bird.

1/11/2004  This morning the garden is frosted over. Even the southern shield ferns (Thelypteris kunthii), thus far untouched in protected places, have succumbed to the cold.  The air smells icy as I crunch along to the bird feeders to refill them for my avian friends. I can see the yellow Narcissus jonquilla foliage around the ash tree is up to about five or six inches. True jonquils have dark green, round, rush-like leaves and a cluster of small, fragrant, early, yellow blossoms.   These came with the house when we moved here in 1973 and have ushered in spring for us ever since. The yellow pansies lay seemingly collapsed but they will spring back as soon as warmed by the sun.  I, together with Roger,  recently moved a large crepe myrtle from the west to the east side of the house. In its  new location it will shade the kitchen window from the fierce summer heat. Now it's the perfect location for a bird feeder where I'm greeted each morning with a lovely entertainment.  House finches are the boldest and most numerous along with some house sparrows.  A beautiful pair of cardinals, the male of which is brilliant, explodes color against the gray bare branches and frequently gray skies.  Occasionally, I see my favorite, the Carolina wren.  Just a couple of dark-eyed juncos visit daily.  The mockingbird, our state bird, is a giant compared to the others. Although I can see them in nearby trees, the bluejays haven't come to the feeder as of yet.  To further conceal myself from the birds through the window, I inserted some prunings from the threadleaf Japanese maple into the ivy filled window box. I expect they will root.  I can never have enough of the maples.  They will make nice gifts and exchange items.  Camera and binoculars on the ready, I'm expecting some great bird photos as I watch and they become more accustomed to my presence.

1/10/2004 A walk to the mailbox and there to enliven my day is the Heronswood catalog.  How I love to skim through the botanical names and check out  Dan Hinkley's commentary for the year.  Thoughts drift back to last October when returning from Victoria, BC.   Knowing it was a Heronswood open to the public day, I was eager to visit. Not even drizzling rain and arriving only an hour before closing could dampen my enthusiasm.  Ecstactic,  up and down the greenhouses savoring every moment, I perused.  Soon the dream was ended and I had to leave, but ... with visions of fabulous gardens swimming in my head and realizing I had been in the wake of others as passionate about plants and gardening as myself.