California is the Garden of Eden

Just back from visiting family in southern California. It is definitely the garden of Eden (so called by Woody Guthrie) this time of year, especially after a wet winter. There are plants from all over the world, flowers blooming regardless of season, and a wide variety of birds (including flocks of wild parrots). We celebrated the first day of spring at Descanso Gardens: a former private estate turned public garden known for its camellias. In the California native plant section of the garden we saw and heard a California thrasher singing like a mockingbird.

On Wednesday afternoon it was warm enough to sit in the sun in sandals, jeans and a T-shirt.

Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwolf/
The original image has much better resolution than this reproduction.

"Winter on Whidbey" quilt

Detail from "Winter on Whidbey Island"

The quilt shown in the header is a work-in-progress from a class assignment. For me, winter on Whidbey Island is wind, rain and snow (especially wind) with the glory of surrounding mountains and visiting water birds to compensate for the weather.

The mountains shown are Mt. Baker, the Olympics and Mt. Rainier. The water birds shown are buffleheads, surf scoters and a loon in winter plumage.

Unfinished size: 21" high x 42" wide

First hummingbird

March 8, 2008: The first rufous hummingbird returned today. Soon he will rule the garden with his tiny, imperious presence. It's time for my "tea in the garden" walks again. It's warm enough now to stroll the path through the shrubbery and contemplate signs of new growth.