Norman: {shivering} Brr, it’s chilly out there this morning. Good thing I’m in Mum’s studio. I’m just not built for 29ºF (-1.7ºC).
Elsa: Oh jeez, you big wuss. It’s not so bad, think of it as ‘bracing.’
Norman: Bracing? Umm, I can’t get past the bone chilling part. Anyway, let’s get started, shall we? Nature has been having a party at our house. Or specifically, a pool party. Birds have been showing up every evening around 5:00 POM and carousing in the bird bath. Mostly in the past they’ve dropped by for “Happy Hour” but I guess the water was just too inviting and they started to dive in but first, a quick slurp.
Elsa: Mom seems fascinated by them as she watched for a long time. She said she was rewarded with their Mark Spitz imitations. {eyes rolling} I mean, come on…what’s so exciting about watching them dive in after drinking a Mai Tai? That’s what a lot of drunks do when there’s a nearby pool. Wait a minute, just because you called it “Happy Hour,” I distinctly didn’t see any little umbrellas. What a cheap dive bar!
Norman: Well aren’t you just precious? There were no Mai Tai’s, Ninja.
Elsa: Well, I know I wouldn’t hang out at that bar…swimming pool notwithstanding.
Norman: What are you talking about? You don’t go near water any more than I do and you have webbed feet!
Elsa: There’s a reason I don’t. I just don’t want to make you feel badly. Yeah, yeah, that’s the ticket…I’m trying to bolster your ego.
Norman: Okay, now you’re just being cheeky.
Elsa: {giggling hysterically} Umm, {stifled snicker} no I’m not. {bursts out in wild dog laughter}. Ok, maybe just a little.
Norman: Ahem…moving right along. Mum says ‘spring has sprung’ when the Eastern Redbuds start blooming. Check out this lovely little specimen. She’s not sure how well it’s going to do long term. It faces south and with the heat those rocks and brick will generate…who knows what its long-term health will be. It sure is colorful though. Mom didn’t recall it before, likely because they’re only stunning when blooming but once they’ve leafed out, they’re mostly nondescript as far as trees go.
Elsa: In the past couple of days, flowering trees are popping out all over. It’s fun to watch the bees buzz from flower to flower. Mom had to drag coax me to move along our walk but I think I was hypnotized by their noise and watching the bees flit from one bloom to another. Boy, they sure are busy little guys, aren’t they?
Norman: I’m drooling thinking of the sweet apples that will be forming soon on this tree. I hope Mum lets me carry a fallen apple home from one of our walks.
Elsa: You…carry anything on a walk? Bwahahahaha! Don’t make me laugh.
Norman: {clearing his throat} That’s not very sporting of you. I’ll have you know I carry toys in my mouth all the time.
Elsa: I know you well enough brother that you’d carry an apple for maybe and I’m being generous here, probably only for 3 or 4 steps. At most.
Norman: {indignantly sniffing} I’m rather offended by your criticism.
Elsa: It’s not a criticism…merely an observation, dude. Let’s not give people the wrong idea-you’re not a fetch-n-carry kind of dog. But I promise you the next time Mom offers me a slice of apple, I’ll give it to you before I gum it into mush and then spit it out. I don’t know how you can eat those things. Give me a meaty piece of jerky any day over fruit and vegetables if you want to give me a snack!
Norman: Variety is the spice of life, little one. And you know what they say…”an apple a day…”
Elsa: I know, blah, blah, blah. Barf.
Norman: Heavens, sounds like one of those bees you were mesmerized by flew under your bonnet!
Elsa: Ha, ha, my brother trying to be funny. Hey, don’t quit your day job, Bucko.
Norman: Well, I think we should get back to the nature portion of this post. Mum was delighted the chilly night temperatures hadn’t seemed to bother the Magnolia tree down the block from us. It was covered with lovely soft yellow blooms. Talk about a beautiful sight.
Elsa: Well I know for a fact you tend to keep your nose more focused on the ground, like this Peony bush that is already forming buds. Can’t wait to see what color the flowers are. They always smell so divine.
Norman: I can assure you nothing gets past my sniffer. I’ll check it once it starts filling the air with some perfume.
Elsa: {eyes rolling again} You know you’re the reason why our walks take forever. Mom has to pull you along from Point A to Point B because you’re sniffing so much. Are you sure you’re not part Bloodhound?
Norman: {with dignified straightening of his collar} For the record I. am. 100%. Old. English. Sheepdog.
Elsa: If you say so. But some days, I have serious doubts.
Norman: This is not the place to discuss one’s ancestry, dear sister. We’re here to share slices of Nature from around our neighborhood. And with that pronouncement, let me share one last picture from across the street. Their Phlox are blooming so prettily but I found one with a special ‘flower’ in the center of it. Mum said what a shame and we’ll probably have an infestation of the yellow flowers but I think it’s quite lovely.
Elsa: Meh…I’m mostly indifferent. I know you really get into this whole botanical thing. I prefer to keep my eyes focused on the neighborhood squirrels.
Norman: Remember little one that “Happiness held is the seed, happiness shared is the flower. ~ John Harrigan. And with that we hope you have a smashing weekend. Don’t forget to get out there and check out Nature…right now she’s sharing loads of flowers. Cheerio, mates.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
We loved the birdies, Norman and Elsa and all the blossoms. We’re still furreezing over here, but when the sun is out…sometimes…it feels pretty warm😸Loved the conversation between you two💗Double Pawkisses for a Happy Day to all of you🐾😽💞
We’ve had a couple of snowstorms go thru the area so we share your spring concerns. The weather has been so weird.
Always a pleasure to hear Elsa and Norm give a nature report! I love watching birds in a bird bath too. We have a Eastern redbud tree in our front yard. I love it in the Spring, just wish it bloomed longer! I agree with Norman the yellow dandelion can be pretty. LOL! But purple phlox are prettier! Happy Wednesday! I am just a tad behind schedule. 🙂
Not to worry. We’re habitually behind all the time these days as well. {shaking my head} Where does the time go?
Thats the million dollar question! 😄
Beautiful spring photos and I loved the dialog. Those two must be fun to have around.
Thank you. The dialogue genuinely reflects their personalities to a tee. It’s always an adventure with these two.
I love adding captions and dialogue to animals. I think they convey their messages well.
I wish I could communicate as well as they do.
This weather is so wacky. Frost in the AM and then the temps get cooking by late afternoon and it’s as if the whole morning never happened!
You kids are cooking from morning to night. Another fantastic episode. 😉
Spring is always unpredictable around here but this year…totally off the charts. The day after sharing those pics, 4″ of white stuff graced the gardens of NW Denver and we’re expecting rain and snow today and tomorrow. 🙃
Aye aye aye!
Hey, at least the Nuggets seem to be warming up at the right time. Or was that just the opponent?
Perhaps a bit of both? Time will tell us the correct answer soon enough. Without Jokic though, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. 😆
I relate. Without Butler, Miami’s squad would be on the beach right now.
I love to watch birds bathe (the diving thing). That sounds creepy.
But sometimes, I swear it looks like they’re just splashing around for the fun of it!
They definitely seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Sweet close to the week. Thank you!
Lovely spring!! We had snow here this morning…there is still a war between spring and winter here, we think. Later it warmed up to about 48F, and the sun came out too.
Most of the magnolias we see are pink/white. Didn’t know they came in yellow, Wow!
Dandelions?? We dumped a ton of them into the green bin over the past week, or so…and there seems to 50 more for each one we pulled out.,
Alas, the lupines that were seeming to thrive here, did not come up this spring, else I think I would have seen a bit of green at the bases where they are planted…and marked. I shall try again with packaged seeds…and add poppies to my buy it list…I do love those.
Thank you. ‘Spring’ didn’t last too long, we got close to 4″ of white stuff (it’s all melted now) with a storm forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday. Bummer about the lupines, sorry they didn’t return this season. Mine are just barely starting to come up so maybe there’s still hope.
Charlee: “Birds.”
Chaplin: “Birds.”
Oona: “Birds?”
Chaplin: “Like butterflies and moths, but bigger.”
Charlee: “Also they sing.”
Chaplin: “It’s good that they sing because that tells us they’re out there.”
Oona: “And we stare at them for fun?”
Charlee: “Yes we do.”
Oona: “Okay! Let’s start RIGHT NOW!”
Don’t let the Hipsters convince you that you only ‘stare.’ 😆
I love the redbud! That and the magnolia make a nice splash of color in the Spring.
Good thing I posted those photos since the next day we received 4” of snow. So much for spring. 😆
Elsa & Norman, love those videos. We have both flowers blooming and squirrels scattering around here right now…something for everyone, right? Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Glad you enjoyed the pool party vid. Those birds sure seem to be having a grand time. Course we received nearly 4″ of snow yesterday so I think the pool area will be a bit vacant for a couple of days. On the plus side, no lifeguard will be necessary. 😉
🤣
I have a Bird Bath, but rarely used these days – not since the place started to get populated by feral cats. They are everywhere and I see them on our walk. I used to take things with me on our morning walk and lay out food for the magpies. Don’t do that anymore and the magpies stay away.
They’re nothing of not opportunistic survivors (especially with our help). 😉 I don’t mind supplying a bit of water for the birds. I know that if I put out seed for them the doggone squirrels would raid the buffet line and I won’t do that. Besides, they leave seeds EVERYWHERE and weeds end up taking hold. I have enough of them as it is so won’t contribute more.
Such a delightful post! And honestly, Norman, with that coat that you wear, I don’t know why you fret so much with this crisp weather!
Your blooms are so far ahead of us, though I did see the beginnings of magnolia flowers while playing tour guide in Montreal this past week. I adore the yellow ones and hardly ever see any.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend! (Oh, and I love how the dandelion pops amongst that phlox!)
I’m a {very} fair weather dog. Cold temps are hard on my senior joints. And today, we woke up to about 4” of white stuff. Talk about surprised 😲
I hear you, Norman. Oh, I keep forgetting you’re no longer a young pup! Ugh! 4″ of white stuff! Stay away!!!
So many purrty flowers Sweet Norman an Elsa!!
Funny thing iss wee love seein Dandylionss THE best…..
Wee still have ZERO flowerss an ZERO Dandylionss. THE grass iss green an lush as it has rained dailee fore over a week….
Yore Nature iss so lovelee!!!!! Miss Monika grate fotoss 🙂
***nose kissess*** BellaDharma an {{{huggiess}}} BellaSita Mum
Many thanks. We’re glad to have been able to share them, especially the magnolia blooms. We woke up to 4” of white stuff this morning 😵💫
I’d never seen a yellow magnolia…it was gorgeous.
As this tree has grown, it becomes a highlight each spring on the block.
Oh boy – birds swimming – now you’re talkin’ – that’s my kind of “TV”…..too bad we don’t have a birdbath anymore – the deer knocked the top off ours and it broke! Anyway, all the flowers look real pretty……Mom’s dicentra bloomed and the azaleas are in full flower too but our redbuds just barely budded this year because we kept getting frosts in between the HOT days. Everything is confused – including us!
Hugs, Teddy
Thanks Teddy. We were shocked the magnolia bloomed, There have been several nights of below freezing since the buds started forming. Our original bath cracked too so Mom replaced it with a large plastic tray. The birds don’t seem to mind and we have a couple of rocks from where they can stand on them to sip water.
The plastic tray is a good idea!!! I’ll tell Mom about that!
We couldn’t find anything else to work, it’s not the greatest looking thing, but apparently birds could care less.
looks like spring over there, an hour from us! Not so much here except for the tree pollen. Good thing you have those two smart charmers living with you to help you enjoy it all
The trees and shrubs are s-l-o-w-l-y waking up. It’s crazy there’s such a difference a mere 25 miles away. Here’s hoping you get through pollen season quickly.
All we have around here are white magnolias. None of us has ever seen one that color. XOX Lucy
Norman, you and me, we would be great walking buddies! *wags* Riley
A sniff session with you Riley just got put on my bucket list!
Bet those white magnolias are gorgeous. Have a great weekend, guys.
And they smell good, too!
Our mom could watch them for hours. I’d be bored to death. I got squirrels to catch, doggone it! Have a great weekend.
you have your own bird movie… and it is rond so it is a bird dvd? cool! happe weekend..