The patio extension and new grass are in, and we have been enjoying them for a couple of weeks. They give the backyard a whole new look. The grass is like a carpet underfoot, and the patio extension covers the area that never gets sunlight.

The flora and fauna have really taken off this spring. There is a lot of activity in the soil and in the air!

The Monarch butterflies got busy early. There were five or six caterpillars on the milkweed this week.

I found one of them getting ready to become a chrysalis this morning. The others are well hidden.

The quiet wild has been a favorite visiting site for a pair of Cardinals. They seem to be sharing a special moment in this image.

The male is very talkative, vocalizing all day long. Click the playback button below to hear his beautiful, cheerful song.

In this image, he seems to realize I caught his picture!

I think the female is so beautiful with the blue sky in the background and the oak leaves surrounding her. Cardinals are just magical!

The plants have not been bested by the things of the air. They are starting to get showy, too. The first bloom on the Rose of Sharon Hibiscus seems to be glowing from the inside. Such a delicate bloom. I can’t wait for the bees to find these blooms. They love this plant and typically buzz around it all summer.

The Rabbit’s Foot Fern is a new addition to the patio. The soft, feathery-like fronds are as soft as a rabbit’s foot, hence the name. The deep green color and gentle way the leaves drape make this a calming addition to the hanging pot group.

These Trailing Petunias look so happy in the pot with the Ageratum. I love plants that delicately drape over the edge of their container. It is as if they do not want to be contained. These little blooms are peering toward the sun, soaking up all the energy they can.

The stalk on this purple Salvia is bending toward the sun, also. I planted these seeds two years ago, but the pot was in an area of the yard where it did not get full sun. Needless to say, the plant struggled to survive, much less bloom. This spring, I moved the pot to a full sun location, and it has bloomed nonstop! Gorgeous, big, showy stalks that reach for the sky. I am sure it will be a favorite with the butterflies and hummingbirds.

I found Indian Paintbrush, also called a painted cup for its showy cup-like bracts, at a local nursery. I had never seen Paintbrush seedlings or seeds for sale before. Bluebonnets are regulars at the nurseries, but not Paintbrushes. I quickly bought them and put them in the ground. They are doing beautifully. I love how this bloom looks against the dark background. Striking!

The two Jasmine vines came back strong after the winter. The plant on the column has almost taken over the corner. The Finches built a nest just under the eaves last year, and it was used by several broods. I hope another bird uses the nest this spring. The Jasmine on the window is starting to grow up the trellis. The goal is for the vines to provide shade in this room from the harsh western sun during the hot summer months. The smell as you walk by these vines is just heavenly.

This has been a bit of a hodgepodge sort of post, including a bit of flora and fauna. I leave you with a little pic of Toad Inn behind the Lobelia, a small abode for the toads and frogs. All creatures need a place where they can hide or get out of the elements.

Until next time…