Familiarity still has surprises

     Walking the same path nearly every day may seem boring to some, but the magnificence of God's work always excites me.  Keeping an eye on the flora of the neighborhood frequently uncovers surprises: a new bloom, a hawk on a utility wire, the swoop and cry of an osprey, the robins enjoying the warming weather, or a new nest. 

      I have my eyes on a new nest to discover who is the builder.  Back in December, in a tall tree that had lost its leaves, I noted remnants of a squirrel nest .  Squirrel nests are identified by the branches of leaves that form its shape (birds don't use leaves) and squirrels around here are constantly reconstructing them.  I thought no more about the abandoned nest until several weeks ago.  Passing by the tree on my walk, I noticed the nest had grown.  A closer inspection revealed that it wasn't a squirrel nest but a bird's nest.  Within a week, it had nearly doubled in size.  I haven't seen the constructors yet -- the tree is several blocks away so I cannot give it constant attention -- but I'll keep looking on my walks.  Here is the tree and nest -- the green leaves are on the trees behind.  The twigs are more evident in the second photo, taken at dusk.

Closer to home is a firecracker plant that neighbors have been growing for several years.  This year it has grown even bigger and I love the look.  I was unsuccessful in growing the plants myself, so I have to be content with enjoying them from afar.

That's all for today.