Outside My Window

Outside my study window is one of my birdfeeders.  It's placed in the Pond Garden.

Sunday morning it was a busy spot but the newcomer I noticed was the junco below.

It was under the feeder looking for the droppings of seed bits.  Juncoes or snowbirds are a harbinger of winter to come.

This feeder gets emptied fast because the goldfinch (not gold at this time of year) sit there and eat.

The tufted titmouse manages to squeeze in to get one sunflower seed which they take to a branch to open between their feet.

The purple finch is also another that monopolizes the feeder.

These birds must travel to other feeders through the day - equal opportunity feeding.

Hang on their chickadee, your turn will come.

Later Sunday morning I heard a loud thump on the window.  I looked up in time to see mourning doves scattering but no sign of a hawk in pursuit.  Below the window was one dove that took a direct hit on the window.  It didn't survive.  By Monday morning the corpse was gone - food for the fox, I'm sure.

Joining WildBirdWednesday

Mount Hebron Presbyterian Church

These photos are from last December 29th when my daughter got married in this church. Not many churches allow non-members to use their facilities for weddings as we found out.  Sarah and William were members of a Presbyterian church that meets in a neighborhood center - not big enough for the wedding they planned.  Fortunately Mount Hebron is very open to others using their lovely modern sanctuary so that's where we gathered on a Monday morning, yes Monday, in December.  We followed the ceremony with a brunch at the Howard County Conservancy.

Here's William relaxing on the piano before finishing his dressing.

The church was still decorated for Christmas.

This old stone building on the church grounds dates to pre-Revolutionary times.  It's used for meetings now and for the bride's party dressing room.

Here's the lovely couple with Dan and I.

Joining Inspired Sunday

For another post on this wedding link to A Three Dress Wedding

November Sunrise

Red in the morning,

Sailors take warning.

The sky this morning was a deep shade of red and sure enough it's raining now as I type this.

We don't often see these colors in a sunrise. 

They don't last long even when they show up.

Vegetable Garden - November

Vegetable gardening is done for 2015.  The beds have been planted with a cover crop of barley and field peas.  Surprisingly the bunny has not been in there to eat nor have the voles.

The bed on the right above is seen below in close up.  It's planted with garlic all of which are coming up nicely.  I did see a vole hole in there but nothing seemed to be eaten.

The only plant left to harvest is parsley and with a harder frost this may also be done for the year.  We did have frost this morning but from my window it still looks to be green out there.

Joining Harvest Monday with Dave.