Glorious Cedar Waxwings

When I planted a dozen Serriceberry trees a few years ago I did it with the hope of attracting Cedar Waxwings. I did see a pair feeding on the berries this time last June, but they left after a few days. Yesterday, when I looked out the dining room window to the feeder station I have in a walnut tree, I was thrilled to see a handsome pair pulling on the wool I hung out for nesting material.



Joy! Joy! Joy! Hurry! Grab the camera! Tell everyone! The waxwings are here!

I saw the lovely couple again today. This morning they returned for more wool and tonight they feasted on a dinner of ripe Serviceberries. Life is sweet. Yum...

I will not be blogging again until June 27 , but this is a good thing because I am off on an adventure to the Galapagos Islands followed by birding in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador. I leave Friday! To say I am excited is an understatement! I'm like that little kid in the Disney commercial, "I'm too excited to sleep." This is a once a lifetime vacation and I WILL be blogging about the trip starting on the 27th.

The Laburnum Tree

I fell in love with Liburnum trees because of Rosemary Verey. I saw photographs of her garden in England about 10 years ago. She planted an allee of Liburnum that was gorgeous. I was really hooked when I finally saw a blooming tree in Pittsburgh. At that moment, I knew I would eventually plant a Liburnum. These trees many not be native, but they are lovely and I was going to have one! In the spring of 2004 I was surprised to find this small tree at an auction. It came home.

I am pushing zones with this tree. It is planted in a protected area and is doing well. The blooms are nearly a foot in length, similar to a Wysteria, and they have lasted over two weeks! Unfortunately, they do not have a scent.

I should share the the Liburnum tree is the only thing blooming in this small entrance garden. The garden is being redesigned and almost everything has been removed. It is a HUGH mess! I obviously did not show the bare earth in the photo. I promise to show before AND after photos in a later blog.