Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Shasta daisies mean warm weather ahead...

When the Shasta daisies start blooming...it's a sure sign that Summer isn't too far off. I love these cheery flowers...I have them planted all over my yard. When my niece got married a few years back...they gave out packets of seeds to everyone...I got a lot of the leftovers...

They are the perfect flower for filling up vases inside too...in fact, I have some in vases now...I just didn't take pictures of those...



You have to smile when you see these pretties blowing in the breeze...





This isn't a Shasta daisy...it's a Chocolate Cosmo...have you ever heard of these? I hadn't until my trip to Rogers Gardens...so I had to get a couple of these...



Here's the flower...the picture makes it look red...but it's really quite brown...and the wonderful thing is...when you rub the flower a bit...it smells like chocolate!! Yes...you heard me...chocolate! Flowers and chocolate...you can't get much better than that!!


I thought you might enjoy a few more oriole pictures...I know I can't get enough of them...this is Mrs. Cal...she is a shy one...hard to get a picture of her...so this is the best I have so far...but I will keep trying. She is sort of a butter yellow...very pretty!



Here is one of the Cals...we have to name this one...he's a bit different than the original Cal...he has black on top of his head! He almost looks like a Bullock's Oriole...but I don't think they like this area...it kind of puzzles me!



The is the original Cal...see the difference...no black on his head...he's a beauty! I have been noticing that they are spending more time in my yard...searching for bugs in the bushes and trees...I think they are feeling pretty safe here. I'm happy about that because I love having them visit us. They are only here for a few months and then back down to Central America they go!


The weather has been pretty nice lately...it's been staying in the high 70's ...with nights in the 50's...pretty darn perfect I think! It even rained on Monday just before dawn. It has been perfect weather for nice long morning walks and gardening.


Enjoy your day, my friends! I hope you are enjoying great gardening weather too!!



















14 comments:

Judy S. said...

The odd Cal looks like a goldfinch to me...our state bird!

Kris said...

Okay..so much to say! First...I too adore daisies. I had them for our wedding. And I still love their simplicity! The orioles are one of my all time favorite birds! I am so mad because this year, we have a pair of hawks terrorizing our front yard. No bluebirds, and very few of my beloved orioles!!! My feeders are sitting full, with orange slices and grape jelly. And they usually cleaned them out in a day. So those nasty hawks are keeping so many of my songbirds at bay. I think the one male oriole looks different because it is a juvenile. But I am not sure. I will have to look it up.
Now...your yarnwork, embroidery, crewel...what is it exactly? I am not sure, but I do know this. It is spectacular Linda!!! Such time went into that piece, and I am so happy you found it. Finish it now and display it somewhere to enjoy every day!!! The gardening weather has been so perfect. I am loving it!!!

mountain mama said...

lovin' the flower pics! i love fresh cut flowers in vases.

hope you have a great week linda~

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

The shasta daisies are gorgeous...mine haven't bloomed yet. And the chocolate cosmos - wow! Linda

Olive said...

Your shastas are gorgeous Linda. The birds are too. I have a terrible time getting shots of our birds. If I had a flower, like yours, that smelled of chocolate I would only want more chocolate! ♥olive

Holly said...

I would have daisies everywhere if I could, so pretty and summery. I love all the colors of your birds, ours aren't as colorful, but I do enjoy watching our quail. Have a great day!

Karen said...

I love Shasta daisies. Yours are gorgeous. And a flower that smells like chocolate?? Wow! :) Loved the birds, too.

Angela said...

Beautiful flowers and birds! I can't believe the temperatures are so perfect! Does it stay pretty temperate like that or will it get hotter? It has been mid 90s all week here...maybe a bit of a reprieve this weekend, but we're in it now for the rest of the summer.
Enjoy your perfectness!
Angela

Traci said...

I've never heard of the chocolate flower! I would love some. I bet they don't grow here. The daisies are so pretty.

kathy b said...

I have chocolate joe pye weed. I better go rub the leaves and sniff...when no none is around!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Beautiful pictures...I of course love the daisies and am thrilled that they are blooming in our yard as well. We actually have a chocolate rose blooming in our garden.

LindyLouMac said...

Looking good in your garden, we have had rain and suddenly everything has grown so fast!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your flowers are gorgeous. The daisys are so sweet and happy looking. What a great shot you got of the bird. I'm trying to get a few shots of the cardinals, each time I get the camera they fly off. Guess they're a bit on the shy side. :-)) hugs ~lynne~

Rachel said...

Daisies always make me smile, too! I love that line in "You've Got Mail" when Meg Ryan says something about Daisies are such a happy flower. :) I hope you have a lovely weekend, Linda!

P.S. Thank you for visiting my blog earlier and especially for the VERY sweet comment. You're a doll!

:) Rachel