Clematis on Memorial Day

 This is a gloriously sunny day, Memorial Day 2014, as we pause to remember all those who have served to protect this country. Because of their service we are free to fly where we want so I felt lucky to be out photographing my flag this morning as a jet full of people flew overhead.

 Right now is prime time in my garden for my clematis collection. This one was newly planted a year ago and is simply outstanding this week.

 Starring in my front garden right now.

It is also time to set up the hummer cafe.  I hung this last Tuesday and later that afternoon a hummingbird was seen in the backyard. I have since seen the one lone advance hummer but not when I have the camera with me. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities as the season progresses.

This clematis (above) is in a difficult place to both see and photograph. It is on the top of a garden arch and not readily seen from ground level. Leaning out the study window does not make it easy to focus but you can at least get a glimpse of it.

Peonies are on the "hopefully safe from deer" list but I did not plant any for many years. This is the second year for this one which is just now coming into bloom.

 This clematis is an old one planted around 2001. That lower bloom is very large - maybe 7" diameter. I'm surprised the plant is still blooming as when it was first planted it got a lot more sunlight than it does now that trees nearby have matured.

I couldn't resist just one more shot of this beauty.

This Morning in my Spring Garden

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. I have missed the daffodil season, the cherry blossoms and the dogwoods. Things have conspired against me; first it was the weather and then it was getting a new camera and trying to learn the new technology to get photos out of the camera and on to the blog.

Instead of trying to play catch-up let me see if I can just plunge right into today. This morning I walked outside as the sun was illuminating the garden to try and capture some images for this blog.

The morning sun comes through the trees and highlights some of the features I have for the birds in my garden.

 The birdhouse to the right is looking very much the worse for wear but birds are still interested in it so I need to leave it alone for the season. To the left is a very large viburnum that I think has to be either severely pruned or taken out all together as it has way outgrown the location. But for now it has just passed the peak of bloom and is casting confetti all around.

 The iris out front are in full bloom.

 And the new clematis I planted in front of the dining room bay window about this time last year survived the winter well and is just starting into bloom.

I found this white birdhouse in Lancaster County at a small business run by an Amish man who builds such things. I like the looks of it but it remains to be seen if the birds also like it. The first day after we installed it I noticed very frequent visits by a couple of birds but not so much since. We'll see what happens.