four in one fruite tree

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Photo Op: Birds of a Feather

camera shy

Camera shy

bird in the fruit tree

Bottoms up

bird in silhouette

Lovely silhouette

DSC_0010

Four-in-one fruit tree in bloom

I’ve been trying all week to  get a decent photo of our four-in-one fruit tree.  Earlier in the week it was grey and the photos reflected that.  Now that the sun is out, I’m having trouble getting the contrast.  So, here is my attempt at a photo of the tree.  Please use your imagination when I say it is quite beautiful.  I wish I could share it with you up close.

On the plus side, it was delightful watching the little yellow-breasted birds flitting from branch to branch. I’m not sure if they are eating part of the flower, or an insect under the bloom.  The tree saw all sorts of activity this week. I’ve counted hummingbirds, bees and yellow finches among the visitors and could hear mourning doves nearby.  Hurray for the sounds of early spring.

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Fab Freesias Frolic in the Rain

It’s raining.  Honest to goodness, puddle-forming, hair-curling rain.

This is the first substantial rain in San Jose in two months. Everyone else seems to be suffering from too much weather; we haven’t had enough.  I walked with a friend for an hour this morning and it never let up. Fantastic.

My garden freesias share my enthusiasm.  This is their first shower of the season.

freesia buds pink

Nature’s perfection

freesia in the rain pink

Refreshed

They aren’t the only ones happy about the downpour.  The squirrels are chasing each other around and around the pine tree with glee. Meanwhile, a hummingbird tried to make sense of the fruit tree.  It’s known as a four-in-one or a fruit cocktail.  It’s one tree with four grafts.  This one grows pitted fruit: peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines.  The grapes were an after thought by yours-truly on her way to the compost bin.  They still had some life in them so I hung them on the branches for the birds.

fruit tree

Hummingbird at rest

I’ve enjoyed watching the progress of this potted beauty. It sits on the back steps, so I can see it from indoors. I pass it on my way to do the daily rounds: emptying the kitchen compost bin, snapping pictures, checking on things. I pulled weeds for an hour yesterday, and cut back some of the dead growth from last November’s frost. It felt great to get out there and do a bit of work after nursing a crummy cold for over a week.

freesia progression

Four week progression

The yellow freesia was a surprise. It popped out from under another plant and seemed to bloom in a flash. Yellow is such a cheerful color, don’t you think?

freesia buds yellow

Yellow freesia buds

yellow freesia

These popped up earlier this week

If you are sick of the wind, the rain, the snow or the drought, I hope things turn around for you soon. I plan to enjoy every minute of this rainy day and, fingers crossed, hope for more to come.