The Changing Seasons, May 2019

Photography: Garry and Marilyn Armstrong

It has been a weird month of May. A lot of rain, a lot of cold days with and without rain, then a couple of hot muggy days. Immediately followed by cooler dry days and then wet, quite cold days. It’s only in the low 50s right now and will be in the mid-40s tonight. That is cold for this time of year.

Flowers – Marilyn Armstrong

Weather forecasts these days are closer to guesses than they used to be. There’s so much very bad, dangerous weather rolling across the continent. Tornadoes, flooding, violent thunderstorms only a few miles south of here. As long as the winds don’t change, all we are going to get is drenching rain.

Mumford Dam and River – Garry and Marilyn Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Another memorial along the river

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

The gardens look pretty sad. There are flowers, but everything, even the Hosta, is droopy and no really fully developed. Except for Solomon’s Seal — which is happy in gray rainy weather — everything else looks like it wishes it could have stayed in the ground.

The Village – Garry Armstrong

Our brand spanking new crossing sign! Isn’t this exciting?

There were a few good days and we went out for one, and Garry for another. Otherwise, it was some of the flowers and of course, the birds.

Boys and the River – Garry and Marilyn Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Photo: Garry Armstrong

What IS that?

Photo: Garry Armstrong

Kids swimming in the Blackstone in Rhode Island

What is that on my foot?

Getting in is easier than getting out!

The pictures make it look like we’ve had a lovely, sunny month. The truth is that all of the pictures were taken over a period of five sunny days. The rest of the months was gray, rainy, and mostly, cold.

The following pictures of the birds may tell more of the story because the birds get really hungry when the weather is cold and rainy. When it’s bright and sunny, they tend to ignore us. Also, they aren’t happy with us right now because we bought cheaper food. It’s not bad food, but it has less of the more expensive components because rain or not, there’s real, live food all over the woods. There are bugs and fruit and nuts to eat and they don’t need to depend on our buffet.

Birds – Marilyn Armstrong

Cardinal and Cowbird. The Cowbirds are only afraid of the big woodpecker — ever since he pecked him in the head!

Cowbird with Hairy Woodpecker – sharing!

A beak and a half

One Cowbird and a Hairy Woodpecker

Lady Brown-headed Cowbird showing off her dark tail!

Black-capped Chickadee

Mrs. Cowbird and Mr. Chickadee, sharing a light snack

Brown-headed Cowbirds

One Goldfinch

Goldfinch in the rain

A little Goldfinch

Chipping Sparrow

Red-bellied Woodpecker — and you can actually see his red belly!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker high in the old tree

Eating well!

Lady Cardinal

Downy Woodpecker

Looking down Dove

Hairy or Downy?

Peek-a-boo!

It’s a woodpecker, but I can’t see enough of him to know which one.

Except for the squirrels. They have completely given up finding their own food. As far as they are concerned, they own us and expect a good, solid meal every single day. They ate ALL the food in two days this week. I mean down to the last few seeds at the very bottom of the hanging feeder. And they did it while we weren’t looking.

The Red Christmas Cactus – Marilyn Armstrong

Macro red cactus

Murderer’s Row – Marilyn Armstrong

They have figured out when we are around — and when we aren’t. They are smarter than people think!

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

• • • Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
      
    • Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
    • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

• • • Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
    • Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
    • Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a pingback to Su-Leslie’s post, she will update it with links to your post.

Categories: #Flowers, #gallery, #Photography, Blackstone Valley, climate change, Nature

Tags: #MonthlyPhotoChallenge, #Photography, #TheChangingSeasons, Marilyn Armstrong, The Changing Seasons