You know that feeling when spring’s almost here? (Spring as in ‘spring outside’; not spring by the calendar.) Well, it’s early April, and I’m officially on the hunt for signs of life around our property. Come with me as we kick things off at the Sunrise Deck, my go-to spot for bird photography, and then dive into the woods. Some plants are already in their spring glory. Let’s see what we can find!
Slide open the doors and step onto our little 8’x16′ Sunrise Deck – it’s a bird paradise! The railing’s been turned into a ‘Bird, Bath, and Beyond’ experience, complete with a feeding platform stocked with a birdy smorgasbord. It’s a bit rustic, ambience-wise, but the birds are thrilled. The sounds of the bubbling fountain are a magnet for birds. Sometimes they squeeze in to bathe or perch right on top of the bubbler. And then there’s the bird bath, perfectly shallow for all sizes. Our deck railing? It’s basically a spa experience for my feathered friends!
The Sunrise Deck has a bit of everything going on. We’ve got planks and wood blocks – those are for building a little ‘second floor’ on the feeding platform and for setting up photo scenes. The cans are full of bird goodies, and those cat food plates? Well, they’re basically kitty bribes, so they leave the birds alone. My window offers a perfect vantage point to take in all the action on the feeding platform. And just so you know, I’ve tidied up the deck for your viewing pleasure!
Leaving the Sunrise Deck behind, we’ll walk around to the front, where you’ll spot a meticulously crafted bluebird house. It was built to exacting bluebird standards and mounted high on a metal pole. This helps to keep it safe from predators. It faces a wide, open space, just the way bluebirds prefer. And here’s the exciting part: Brian’s about to install a camera inside. Big brother is watching! We can’t wait to see what intimate moments of bluebird life we’ll capture, a window into their world like never before. Cross your fingers for us!
Our land is dotted with a diverse collection of birdhouses. We have two matching bluebird houses at the front and back of our home. Three others are strategically placed in trees and shrubs, catering to wrens, chickadees, and nuthatches. This charming rustic birdhouse is in the crabapple tree. You might not notice it, but this crabapple tree is a regular green backdrop in my AzarÉl Greetings photos. All this new growth means it’s almost time to grab the camera. I’m so curious to see what amazing things the birds get up to this spring!
Just a pretty view from our front yard! That bridge? It was built for Brian’s dad by his buddies, and when he moved, we got it. A bridge without a stream, but it’s perfect for creating a little floral display. The woods in the background are still mostly bare, but once they green up, it’ll be photography time!
A splash of sunshine yellow, courtesy of the forsythia, illuminates our woods. This view looks towards the Sunrise Deck, my photography hub. A leucothoe (dogs hobble), with its year-round green, grows beside a climbing hydrangea, where new leaves are just unfurling. The hydrangea is a popular bird perch, a launching pad for flights to the feeding platform. This small slice of our property is a place where the birds and I experience so many moments of delight.
There’s something truly special about the first spring blooms, a promise of warmth and life after winter’s chill. A cluster of lenten roses, or hellebores, brightens my view from our windows. The different colors—pink, white, green, and gold—are a visual feast. This pink one, is practically begging to be captured by my camera. These early bloomers really lift the spirits!
My mother gifted me a lasting memory, a vision of spring, when she helped me plant clusters of daffodils along our driveway, affectionately naming it ‘Daffodil Lane.’ While we have the classic yellow and pure white varieties, it’s the petite daffodils that truly capture my heart. This one, with its dramatically flared trumpet and swept-back petals, is ‘Jetfire.’ Seeing these cheerful flowers bloom each year is like a warm hug from my mom.
| Of all my spring photos, ‘Pickup Full of Posies’ just bursts with the blooming season. The pickup started out a bit… ‘utilitarian’, hauling mulch last spring. Real life, yes, but not exactly wall-worthy (though it made a great man-card!). Then came the johnny jump-ups, alyssum, and pussy willows, which were closer, but still missing something. It wasn’t until those last-day red tulips with their yellow fringes joined forces with other gifts from our garden—daffodils, vinca, and moss—that the magic happened. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things are right in your own backyard…delivered in a tiny, flower-filled truck. |
If you’re looking for more spring inspiration, hop over to AzarElGreetings.com and check out ‘A Thousand Miracles’ and ‘The Little Gardener.’ ‘A Thousand Miracles’ is a beloved classic, featuring those adorable red rubber shoes and a burst of spring blooms. ‘The Little Gardener’ is a fresh pick from spring, 2024. Enjoy the spring vibes!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into our woodsy haven and the vibrant highlights of April. It’s truly a special time of year, filled with so many fleeting moments of beauty. I’ve put together a slideshow featuring even more of the spring blooms that are lifting my spirits, and I hope they bring a little sunshine to your day as well.
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
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| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, three panel triptych, 30" x 49 1/2" (w/ 3/4" gaps)
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
| 3000 Left in Stock | ||
Giclée Canvas print, 16” x 24”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
Giclée Canvas print, 20” x 30”
Original Photography, printed and hand stretched by AzarÉl Greetings.
Click here to see how our canvas prints are made.
| 1000 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
| 997 Left in Stock | ||
Original Photography
