The Garden Awakens
Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
I love it! That is a true treasure as you could never duplicate it. Is it a hummingbird nest?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely perfect. Phillip I am loving your new camera and the great photos you're taking! Gail
ReplyDeleteOh what a treasure to find. And it is so beautiful. Don't think I have ever heard of that kind of tree. Beautiful red berries.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Is it really tiny? It looks like a hummer's nest. I didn't know they would build so low though. Maybe some other kind of bird, but quite unique. Maybe a google search?
ReplyDeleteFrances
It's hard to tell how big it is, but I agree that it might be a hummingbird nest.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful berries. I don't know what would build a nest like that so close to the ground. But it isn't a hummer nest. They place their nests on top of a limb and use different materials to make it.
ReplyDeleteThe berries are beautiful.
Thanks for the comments! The nest is about 3 inches from top to bottom so I think it is too big for a hummingbird nest.
ReplyDeleteThat is sweet, as are the berries on that tree. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteAh ha! Looks like an American Goldfinch nest to me! :-) Love those little guys! We have hundreds of them here.
ReplyDeleteCameron
What a pretty nest. Orioles make hanging nests similar to that but they usually use grasses. Hummers use moss and spider webs. In the past I've found it difficult to research bird nests also.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Thanks Gardeness!
ReplyDeleteMarnie, I would love to get Orioles in my garden but I've never seen them here.
Cameron, you are probably right because we have a lot of goldfinches.
My guess is vireo. Red-eyed and White-eyed are the most common.
ReplyDeleteThat litle nest is adorable. Great photo with the berries.Keep us posted on future activity.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Philip, but I'm always touched when I see an empty nest.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so exciting to find something like this in the garden. It seems a little early for nesting, but you never know. Keep an eye on it and let us know if anything sets up house in it.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, Phillip. I just love the berries. That bird knew what it was doing! I always think of an empty nest as one that held a family together and now they've flown away to create ones of their own.
ReplyDeleteI'm no ornithologist, but I'm sure that some winged friend treated you by building its haven in your garden. Lucky you! Cheers!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteI would guess orioles made the nest as it looks just like one they made last year in our backyard pecan tree. I never have seen an oriole nest so low to the ground though. Whatever...it looks mighty nice with those red berries in your sharp photo!
Jon at Mississippi Garden
Hi Phillip,
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by, and I see everyone is taking guesses about what kind of nest you have there! It's late and I don't have any idea but I'll take my guess tomorrow! Meanwhile, I want to say how beautiful the photos are, someone said a new lens? A macro, perhaps? They look really nice. I'm jealous of your warmer weather:)