Blooms, Butterflies, and a Bird~

Right at the moment, the garden is looking pretty good. This year the hydrangeas are bluer than usual for some unknown reason. (You might have already noticed them in my header.)

After almost four summers, this "retirement plant" has finally had a blossom. It's called a "rocket hyydrangea" because of the way the flowers shoot out into the air. Isn't it funny looking?

We don't have too many white flowers in our garden, but this one is kind of interesting. It's a balloon flower, and that is exactly what the buds look like. It's fun to watch.

Every summer I love to plant a blackeyed Susan vine because it has such interesting flowers. Since Dick took this photo, several other buds have opened, and the flowers are more pinkish than orange.

When I saw these butterfly rings on the Spud and Chloe blog, I got busy and made a couple for last Sunday's birthday party, interestingly for a little girl named Chloe and her brother. Now I need to get cracking and make some to take to Chicago next month!

This little red-breasted nuthatch is very shy, and wouldn't you know it? The very time he landed in a good spot, the camera focused on the screen. We'll try again. Meanwhile, I need to go deadhead a few plants. Hope your day is going well!