Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Thursday, March 1, 2018

I Like Thursday #71 - It's March!




I'm happy to turn the calendar page over to March today!  Will it come in like a lion or a lamb?  I guess we'll see!

It is coming in with a bloom in my garden!  I was so happy to see this pretty crocus yesterday - 



I did like these special visitors that February brought to our yard.  Over several different days we had a bunch of these tiny birds - called bushtits - flitting in and out of the trees and congregating on our suet feeders - sometimes 8 - 10 at a time!


They moved so quickly that neither Mike nor I could get a good picture of them, so the one above is from  my favorite birding website, All About Birds.  They are only about 3 inches long!

Then yesterday, in the early morning, when the birds usually start to be really active, there were none of our usual birds around, except for a blue jay who was really making a ruckus.  When I looked out the window to see where he was, I spotted this guy!


A beautiful Great Horned Owl!


Mike grabbed his camera and went right out in his bathrobe to get these photos!  These owls are about 22 inches long (or is it "tall?")  Probably the biggest bird we've ever seen in our yard!

Queen Elizabeth has been visiting us every evening, lol!


We've liked watching Season 2 of "The Crown."  I especially enjoy seeing their clothing and the upper crust British accents!  

I like my current read, The Alice Network.  I love historical fiction set in WWI or II, so this one is right up my alley!  Women who are spies in France during WWI -   



I've liked making some progress on my current quilty WiP - my son's Yellow Brick Road quilt.  I got it basted yesterday and am now working on the quilting.  Looking forward to finishing this one up!


I hope you're having a great week!  As always, I'm joining in with I Like Thursday over at Not Afraid of Color!


16 comments:

Mary in Peoria Handmade said...

That tiny bird is so pretty. But, that owl is huge! I still haven't watched The Crown. Need to get to the library. Enjoy your day. mary

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Your paper pieced tulip is so good! It reminded me of the Farmer's Wife version that I EPP'ed and I was happy not only I had problems with the pattern (misery loves company!).
Meanwhile, Great photos of that owl...I love owls and such a treat to capture them. Yes worth the trip outside in robes!
Did you see Bletchley Circle? Women using their code cracking skills post war England. I loved it and wished they made more than 2 seasons.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Diann,
Oh, that little birdie looks so sweet but I can imagine they stayed far away from the owl. I know the owl is great for keeping loads of pests away, not just birds but also bunnies. I have two plastic ones that I put in my garden so there isn't an unwelcome feast. I move them around - on a stick, on a ledge, etc. so that they aren't sure if it is real or not. That book looks like a good one - I'm adding that to my list! Thanks for sharing it with us! ~smile~ Roseanne

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

what a great photo of the owl-even if hubby was in his bathrobe!!!! thanks for sharing all the photos--
enjoy,di

Libby in TN said...

Are Bushtits native to your area or just passing through? I've never seen one. You are so lucky to not only see that owl but be able to get a good photo.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

love your birds - we were lucky enough to see the big owl like that in Glacier National Park in our campground the last time we were there and I got a photo of it then - not real clear but I could prove I saw it! I will look for that book

Louise said...

Terrific owl photos!

LA Paylor said...

you have birds and flowers??? None here, just brown. Still. I want to read that book, and we're almost finished with season two of the crown. I had no idea of some of the shenanigans of the royalty that generation.

Barb Neiwert said...

Great photo catch on the owl! No wonder the small birds flitted away somewhere else, lol. I like The Crown series, too. Have fun finishing up your latest quilt.

Mary in Boulder said...

Loved hearing about and seeing the owl! And I think you have the first crocus of the year; there aren't any showing themselves here in Boulder yet. But maybe they will pop out this weekend in the sunshine and warmth.

Karen S said...

The owl is stunning.
It is always lovely to sere the first signs of Spring.
We, on the other hand, are seeing the fist colour in the Autumn leaves. Still very hot here, but some trees just don't want to wait.

Angie in SoCal said...

We have a great horned owl in our neighborhood. He comes around for the rabbits. You're making significant progress on that quilt - congrats!

Linda said...

Wonderful post! Our March came in like a lamb - first sunny day we've had in a long time. We have only heard owls, not seen one, on our property! Your quilt is going to be awesome. :)

PaintedThread said...

Pretty little grey bird! I have not started the Crown, (but just finished up with the latest Victoria). Pouring rain here right now, so I'm hoping for crocuses soon.

Sandy said...

Those little birds are so cute! We have alot of varieties of the tit family. Blue Tits, Great Tits, Longtailed Tits. They are a bit like Chickadees. The Coal Tit (which doesn't live around here.) has a call quite like the chickadee.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I am a wee bit late for I like Thursday. How about a manic Monday comment. Oh the little bird is so cute. Like your owl, and your quilt is coming along.