Yes, I dare to mention it this morning because the sun is shining, the weather forecast is 'improving' and I feel better than I have done for some days.
My bathroom window is one of those 'tilting' ones that opens from the bottom. Each day - unless it is very windy - my Carer opens it a tiny bit. I keep it open as long as I can (if the wind gets up it can blow the window wide open), especially at the moment. Why? Because Mr Blackbird has to advertise to the world (and, unfortunately to every nasty thieving magpie in the area) that ere long baby blackbirds are due! One of the side effects of colon cancer is frequent loo visits and it is so wonderful to be greeted every single time I visit the smallest room, with the wonderful song of the blackbird (not quite as melodious as his cousin the song thrush but that is a sound I haven't heard since I left the farm).
'When does he eat?' I ask? I think he gets most of his food intake from my front lawn where he hops up and down very early in the morning poking his beak deep into the ground every now and then. But, believe me, he gives me such a lot of pleasure.
As to my lawn!!! A week ago I sent my gardener a text saying that within a day of his last mowing there were 49 dandelions in full bloom. Today I started counting them and got to eighty then lost my place. (they don't grow in straight lines so when the numbers rise counting is difficult.)
They are such beautiful flowers, The piece of ground opposite has a thick border of them in full bloom, They might just as well have a sign saying "You'll never beat us so why not join us". In a couple of weeks those beautiful yellow flowers, which are so beneficial to so many insects, will be dandelion 'clocks', each one carrying hundreds of seeds. And every time there is a Summer south wind blowing gently (well we can hope can't we?) those seeds will find a new home in my front lawn. Don't know whether to smile or weep.
My side lawn, not to be outdone, displays three large clumps of mushrooms. Not dainty fairy ring types but great hulking fully grown things - not edible, but distinctly noticeable.
It has not been lawn mowing weather. Monday is my gardener's mowing day. I expect he began doing just that yesterday but soon after lunch we had a couple of hours of heavy rain.
I shall now put on a coat and have a walk round my bungalow, looking what is out (from the patio it looks as though Asperula Odorata has colonised a large area at the top.) The white flowers are just coming out and as they emerge I can just about see them. They are so pretty but need watching otherwise they take over. The Mare's Tail - (my enemy although it is quite attractive)- will be well up now and every clump needs cutting off at ground level to discourage it. (You will never get rid of it if you have it, but never be tempted to pull it up - always cut it off. There is nothing the roots of Mare's Tail like better than a chance to put out another hundred or two shoots from a roughly pulled up clump.
So all you gardeners out there - good luck with your garden this year and remember a plant is only a weed if it is growing where you don't wish to see it. I have a single dandelion out in the middle of a clump of Grape Hyacinths of the deepest blue. It can stay (for now at any rate) - it looks divine.
To wake up to blackbird song on a spring morning is wonderful, and definitely one of the perks of the season.
ReplyDeleteDandelions have yellow blossoms, and for that alone they are great, brightening up things on grey, overcast days. And as you say, they are so important to insects and, in turn, birds.
I love sunflowers. I love dandelions. They are as yellow as the sun - pure joy. When the Angel was little I encouraged him and his friends to blow the seeds you mention. Wonderment was had - tiny parachutes dispersing in all directions. A bit like soap bubbles. Made me hugely popular with the neighbours.
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This reminds me of a professor when I was in college years ago. He talked of loving the dandelions in his lawn and how all the neighbors complained and called them damndelions. He would laugh and comment about the bunnies loving his yard and staying away from the other lawns. Here in Georgia USA we are experiencing a 13 year Cicada event. I have always enjoyed hearing them but at the moment I would say it is a volume x 3! My dog is fascinated by them too. - Jackie
ReplyDeleteWe have what we call "bird o'clock" around 4:30 a.m. each day, so no need to set an alarm! The robins are especially loud, and can be heard over all others with their cheer-up-cheerilee, which I dearly love. My Hubs has waged chemical warfare (to my dismay) against dandelions for years, and to no avail since those around us do not; the dandelions just keep coming in spite of his efforts. He grumbles and groans about it, and I just shake my head. If it were just me, I'd leave them for the bees. Here in Illinois, we are on the edge of where the double brood cicadas will emerge. 2 or 3 cicadas in our back yard are loud enough for me to grab the hose with the power nozzle, and spray them out of the trees! Can't imagine what dozens and dozens will sound like. I'll need my headphones for sure. We had a cat that liked to catch them, and would walk around with one buzzing in his mouth. Yuk.
ReplyDeleteI was awake at 5:30 this morning. I heard one bird call. That seemed to trigger them all. I lay in the semidark and thought of your delight at observing nature from your southern window.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning I lie in bed at around 5ish listening to the bird song, it's so sweet and relaxing. Most days I drift off again until 6.30ish, but when I wake up for the second time the silence is strange after all the birdsong only a hour or so earlier. They are soon swarming all over the bird table for their breakfasts though, even if they are doing it quietly.
ReplyDeleteDandelions have taken the place of the millions of daffodils along the verges at the side of the A6 near me, so it's still a mass of yellow but just different food for the bees.
Hooray for leaving the dandelions - the bees say thank you!
ReplyDeleteWe have had nicer Spring weather, too, and I'm so glad. I was getting tired of the winter coat, hat and mittens I had to keep wearing. Enjoy your birdsong and bright flowers, Pat.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has your same definition of weed. I am trying to love the dandelions, I leave them in the back yard and only some in the front.
ReplyDeleteAfter what has seemed forever, with cold winds and relentless rain, we have had a very warm and cloudless, sunny day today, absolute joy!
ReplyDeleteWe have been out to the beautiful Saville Gardens in Windsor Great Park today, a stunning place and at the moment looking superb with all manner of azaleas and rhododenrums in flower - google Saville Gardens.
Your warm weather sounds lovely and the birds are clearly overjoyed as well. I've got dandelions blooming in my lawn too. Their yellow faces are cheerful. I also have clover and white and purple violets in the lawn. Our lawns will appear all green after mowing but until then, the mix of grass and little flowers is delightful.
ReplyDeleteThe dog asks for her first walk a bit after sunrise. One of the first happy moments of the morning is walking her on lead and hearing the house sparrows and chickadees in full song. The seagulls and crows sometimes add their calls. Also the plantings are leafing out and starting to slowly bloom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post you have written and given us to think about! I try to never disturb the bees, rabbits,wee and enormous birds outside in back of my home.Reward-
ReplyDeletethey let me walk among them as though they were tame.-Mary
I managed to prevent a Magpie from picking-off a few ducklings from the brook by my workshop last week. It will be back for another go when I'm not around, I'm sure. Springtime in the country - all sex and violence.
ReplyDeleteYour post uplifted my day just thinking about your enjoyment in the signs of spring.
ReplyDeleteI love the way that the blackbird not only welcomes the dawn..4.30 here!! It also puts the day to bed at dusk
ReplyDeleteI think the dandelion has been taken off the noxious weed list. They are a nuisance because they crowd out some less aggressive plants.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Pat!
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me that when DS1 was about 3, he'd learned that the word "rich" meant something you had a lot of, so he joyously reported to his Grandma that we were rich in dandelions, and so we were!
It's good to know you were feeling better today. May those 'feeling better' days multiply exponentially. The world needs you.
Hugs!
And from the opposite season downunder, we have had a lot of grey weather in Melbourne, but are just starting to see some sunshine and real autumn colours now. Lovely to read of your Spring.
ReplyDeleteLovely day here too with lots of people wearing T Shirts and Shorts (not me).
ReplyDeleteYesterday late afternoon, I was in the passenger seat in the car in bumper to bumper traffic. We had ground down to yet another halt, this time where there were banks of gum trees if you looked left, with their leaves glistening in the sun.
ReplyDeleteIt made me think how much our indigenous peoples, many generations ago, would have had a lot different outlook on late afternoon and its beauty than the ugly traffic snarl we now contend with and also my thoughts wandered on how much closer they would have been to the bird life heralding in a new day than us these days, turning off a noisy alarm and rush to pop toast in the toaster, oblivious to outside happenings. I am now a city dweller. No doubt inland Australia 'on country' is a completely different story. I loved the finches and flocks of budgerigars and white cockatoos when I lived closer inland to the heart of this land. -Pam, Sth Aust.
It appears that the weather is finally showing signs of improving. It has felt wonderful to walk out into the garden each morning, mug of coffee in hand. Our raised bed is showing signs of new growth. Xx
ReplyDeletehank you all - your replies made me smile - seems we are all welcoming a new season with joy albeit Spring for some and Autumn for others.
ReplyDeleteI think the song of a blackbird would be wonderful as you sit on the toilet:)
ReplyDeleteMy plants are finally starting to come up, even as it rains and snow. I love the green this time of year and I'm glad you're doing well.
Seeing dandelions make me happy. I have not heard them referred to as 'clocks' when they are ready to spread themselves out into the air. -great description.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a blackbird which sat on our roof and sang his heart out on spring evenings. The local bees will thank you for allowing the dandelions to flower. They are a nuisance to gardeners but so beautiful, especially among any blue or violet flowers. We are all fed up with all the rain, but I think the trees must love it as they look so beautiful now as they are almost in full leaf.
ReplyDeleteDandelions have a mission to take over the world, for a short time anyway. I think in France they are called 'Pissenlit' they are diuretic.
ReplyDeleteYes Thelma - wet the bed it is indeed in France.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. Lawn mown yesterday - eight dandelion flowers out this morning.
💐x
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have a love and dislike relationship with dandelions. I love them, he doesn't. This past weekend we were at my son's home, babysitting our grandson. The neighbor's yard was full of dandelions, both yellow and white puffs full of seeds. I showed my grandson how to blow the seeds and make a wish. He's two so his blowing technique is just developing. But he kept bringing dandelions to me saying, "Make wish, make wish." Such a precious moment. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteMorning Weaver,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say hello and wish you well. I hope your days and nights haven’t been too bad. No need to reply, just wanted to send you a virtual hug
I found myself pondering you as I walked across a field. What is it that makes a dandelion so different from a violet or a buttercup or a forget-me-not? I watched the bees buzz about those dandelions, honey bees, which was exciting. The lazy fat bumble bees are always entertaining, and they love all love that humble dandelion. All those bees cannot be wrong, can they?
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