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April 18, 2016

Life Within The Garden


We've always had rabbits around, and luckily they've never been too much trouble.  In the past they've cropped a few newly sprouted beans, but nothing we couldn't live with.  They've always been very skittish, taking off whenever our paths crossed.  But then...the other day I came across  this bunny that has no wild in it.  I  walk by this camellia, probably twenty times a day, and was noticing a cat bird often flew out the other side when I passed.  I took a look inside to see if perhaps there was a nest...




No nest, just this bunny.



A couple hours later, I was out front taking a few pictures.



And, bunny shows up again.



She had brought pine straw from the other side of the yard and she was making a nest.



I'm three feet away from her, and she could care less.  She steps out and starts picking pine straw out of her teeth.  She was so darn cute!



She washed her hands.



Then she washed her face.



She hopped under a lily, and appeared to be taking a rest.  When I came back out an hour or so later, her nest was covered up so neatly, you would never know she had been there.



We see her in different areas of the garden every morning now, I'm glad she's made herself at home.  We also have some beautiful birds that have returned for the season.  This Flycatcher has already chosen a house to nest in.



The Humming birds have returned as well. 



This is the first  American Redstart I've ever seen in my yard.  I think he's heading home from down south.  The sprinklers were on the day he stopped and he had a great time playing in the spray.



The same day we had another rare visitor, a House Finch.



This Carolina Chickadee is also nesting in one of our houses.  I'm so thankful for my garden and all the life it draws in.



  I want to share my new adventure with you...they're all tuckered out after a long day.  I've had the notion of getting chickens for some time now, so today we brought six little ones home.  Tomorrow, it's off to get lumber and wire to build a permanent home for them.



Just a couple clematis, one by the porch...



A new one started up the arbor out front.



Thank you all for stopping by.  













17 comments:

  1. What a fabulous post! Oh, that bunny is getting ready for little ones, no? And the birds visiting your garden are all making themselves at home. Congrats on the chicks! Can't wait to see them grow. I hope you'll share this outdoor post on this week's Maple Hill Hop! We love visiting your garden.

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    1. Thanks Daisy! Yes, there will be bunnies and chickens everywhere soon. Spring is such fun! _Janice

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  2. What an interesting post! Cute little bunny and wonderful/pretty birds visiting your oh so lovely gardens. Now you're going to have chicken and will be collecting fresh eggs and adding their manure to your gardens.

    Happy gardening and living ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I'm looking forward to those fresh eggs, and the manure is an added bonus. Spring has been lovely this year, I hope you're enjoying life at Plum Cottage. Janice

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  3. Hi Janice, Those little chicks are soooo cute! Can't wait to see and hear more about them. I love the bunny. My daughter would love it if one would move into our garden. That pic of her picking the straw out of her teeth is a hoot!!! What wonderful birds you are enjoying as some return and some head home. Spring is such a great time of the year!!

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  4. Susan, like you, I can't say enough good things about spring this year. Plants seem to be blooming with such exuberance, perhaps due to our mild winter. Whatever the reason, this spring is completely lovely! _Janice

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    1. And it's lasted longer than I thought it would. I'm loving the cool mornings.

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  5. Hi Janice, chicks are always so cute I can hardly stand it! (But they turn awkward-looking after only a week or two, and not nearly so cute -- and smelly too; better finish making their permanent home before too long...). We've kept chickens here for 7-8 years, and the fresh eggs are so much better than the ones from the store. Good luck with making the chicks feel at home, and thanks for sharing your adorable bird and bunny shots! -Beth

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    1. Hi Beth. You're right, the chicks are just too cute. We've begun their coop, which is turning out to be quite a project...somehow it keeps getting bigger. Take care. _Janice

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  6. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! Between Leslie's house . . . and your garden, I'm ate up with jealousy! Or is that eaten up with jealousy? Either way - it's true. LOL

    LOVED this post. Thanks for sharing your garden and all it's beautiful critters with us. I'm looking forward to reading about your backyard chicken adventures. We raised egg layers for a few years (back when my son was eating a dozen eggs a day). I really miss them, but they had too many run in with our dogs (and the chickens always lost). Bad, bad dogs. ;-)

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    1. Eli, your garden is fabulous. And both of us drool over Leslie's house, what a charmer. Glad you liked the post, and I will update the chicken adventure. _Janice

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  7. Oh, Janice - what an adorable bunch of garden friends you have! I love your photos - all of them! You have some wonderful birds visiting! Very cute series of bunny pics too, she is so sweet. And your chicks are super duper adorable! I can't wait to see them as they grow! And I'm sure your husband will build them a fabulous little house and yard! That will be so cute!

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  8. Thanks Lynn, I'm enjoying all of them. The chicks are already developing personalities, and they're so cute. _Janice

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  9. Oh, wow, your bunny is so cute--and what great pictures you got of her! Your chicks are just adorable. I know you will love having them. My sister has chickens and she gets the biggest kick out of them--they're always up to funny antics. I can't wait to see the house you build for them!

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  10. Leslie, we already have class clown, a little wallflower, and a leader of the pack. Each chick is different, but all cute! I think we're going to enjoy them. _Janice I

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  11. Oh what a cute bunny and you got some wonderful shots of it! Hooray - you got chicks!! That is so exciting and I know you will really enjoy having them. It will be so much fun to watch them grow and I can't wait to see their new home! Enjoy your week Janice!
    - Kate xx

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  12. Hi Kate. The chicks are great amusement...I had no idea chickens could do such funny things!

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