Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Outdoor Wednesday- Nuts about Lilacs!

While we had a short break from the rain here,
It was time to get outside and breathe in some of that wonderful fresh spring air! 
There's nothing I look more forward to in the Spring than the delightful fragrance of blooms on my Lilac bush I have in my backyard.


I also look forward to these beautiful visitors that also love the lilacs... 
You know, for some reason I had always thought that these were Monarch butterflies. 
Well it turns out that I was all wrong!

After doing a bit of research it turns out that they are not Monarch's at all,
but in fact they are Yellow Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. 

This breed of Swallowtail Butterfly named "Tiger" after it's beautiful tiger-like stripes on it's wings.

 I could sit and smell the sweet fragrance of these flowers for hours!

...and watch these graceful butterflies flit in and out amongst them too...
They're just so beautiful! 


 Of course I love watching the squirrels playing in the back yard too!
This one doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered by my close presence while he munches away at a pecan!

Speaking of squirrels... having squirrels in our backyard here in town is okay. 

But squirrel's are an almond growers worst enemy,
 and we have to constantly keep the squirrel population under control in our orchard. 

Spring happens to be my favorite time to take a drive out to our orchard. 
Here's a few shots I took there just after the spring bloom. 

It's so beautiful and peaceful out here!
See the new baby trees we planted...
Grow babies Grow!!
Here's a close up shot below...
Can you see the little fuzzy nutlets in the center of the buds?!
Well friends I hope you enjoyed a bit of Spring here in my neck of the woods!
I hope you all are enjoying yours wherever you are!


Now scoot on over to Susan's at a Southern Daydreamer for
and some more outdoor fun!!
Happy Spring!


Hugs,
Sherri

22 comments:

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Beautiful. I love lilacs also. New Hampshire where I live, is famous for it's beautiful lilacs. They are not in bloom yet here. They will be soon though and I can't wait. I like to pick a vase full for the table.

a quiet life said...

beautiful, i so love orchards...

June said...

Sherry, I love Spring at your place. That lilac color is such a beautiful deep purple. I would love to find like that! Your pictures are all so lovely. It's as if I'm standing out there with you taking it all in myself.
I hope you are well dear friend.
hugs

June said...

Oh great, I am so sorry about the missplelling. What a dork I am.

Blondie's Journal said...

Your pictures are just stunning, Sherri!! And how neat it is that you grow almonds, my favorite nut!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!! :-)

xoxo
Jane

eileeninmd said...

I love lilacs, your photos are all wonderful.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Sherri, these photos are beautiful, and your blog looks so pretty. I notice it is still snowing on your blog. Someone said that the snow feature contained a virus. I love almonds, and I've never seen them growing. What a pretty little flower. laurie

vignette design said...

Hi Sherri,
First of all, your photography is Incredible! Love the photos of the butterfly and lilacs. And that squirrel is adorable. I just took a similar picture of a squirrel in my redwood tree munching on a peanut! You have a beautiful blog!

Sharing with Sherri said...

Thanks Laurie! I guess I'd better turn off the snowfall... wouldn't want to catch a virus I just got over one;)

Bella's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Sherri, Beautiful photos of your lilacs! Funny thing I always thought they were monarchs too, my husband corrected me a couple years ago :-) How fun to live in a nut farm:-)
Bella

The Stylish House said...

Hi Sherri,
Wow, I love your blog's new look! The photos really pop and I can smell those gorgeous lilacs all the way over here in the Great Lakes region. I’m so happy to hear your mom is on the mend, what an ordeal. I sure appreciate when life is peaceful and simple. Have a nice weekend.
Hugs, Cathy

Sharing with Sherri said...

Bella, Actually we don't live on/in the nut farm.....
But we do live close by at the LOONEY bINN!;)

Barb said...

Hi Sherri, your pictures are sooooo lovely. I adore the lilacs. Anything that shade of purple/lavender just speaks to my heart.

Happy Saturday, sweet friend!!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Gorgeous photos! I so miss nature and beautiful surroundings. Not much of that around here. Hope your mom continues to be well. Many blessings for the week to come. :) Tammy

Dawn said...

That beautiful butterfly can sure travel, he was visitng my lilacs last week! I love the lilacs, but the fragrance is overwhleming for me. It's right outside our back door and sets off my asthma big time. Yours sure are a deeper color than mine, very pretty!
Hugs,
Dawn

Sherri said...

Hi Sherri! I just found your blog on someone elses blog and I was surprised to find someone else that spells their name the same as I do. Well actually Sherri is my nickname. I love your blog and I'll be stopping back! Take care!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello sweet lady...

Sherri, I was just thinking about you and decided to pop in and see how you are doing? It's been awhile since I've heard from you...I do hope that my note finds you and your family well! After seeing your gorgeous almond orchard photos...I'm wondering if ya'll are busy with that? The orchard is soooo very beautiful all budded out! Just curious if those buds have a scent? Ohhh...and I have already asked the Lord to bless your new baby trees!!!

I also really enjoyed your lilac photos, my friend! My lilacs are just now blooming, in fact...I need to go and cut a few and bring them in the house to enjoy! Here it is...nearly the first of June but we are just now starting to green up...the trees aren't even completely leaved out yet! Hehe! I am sooo very happy that spring is finally here! Well my sweet friend...I sure have missed you and wanted to just stop by to say hello! Sending love and prayers your way, Darlin'!

Love ya,
Chari @Happy To Design

Gypsy Heart said...

Hi there!
Just wanted to say that you are missed. I so hope that you are ok...just busy with life and good things.

Stop by when you can ~

xoxo
Pat

The Stylish House said...

Sherri,
Thank you for posting Heather's photo and link to her story. I really appreciate it.
Hugs, Cathy

Barb said...

Dear Sherri, I am so glad you came by....it was wonderful to hear from you again. I have really missed you and think of you often.

Please come back when you can. I am having the Rooster Party on August 6th....I truly hope you can join us.

I hope your hubby had a wonderful birthday.

Sending you hugs!
Barb ♥

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi sweet friend...

Girl, I was just elated when I seen your note!!! I have thought of you sooo many times...have missed you, sweet lady! I'm so glad that you stopped in to say hello! I bet you're staying very busy now that summer is here! Although, I'm not sure when it's time to harvest your almonds? But I'm thinking that it may be about now! I do hope that all is well with you and your family! Thank you for coming by...sure meant alot to me! I really have missed you, Sherri!!!

Take care, dear friend...and Lord bless!!!
Love ya,
Chari @Happy To Design

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Sherri, I hope everything is okay. Been missing you. laurie

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