Thursday, May 15, 2014

MIM #164: The Curious Case of the Quince and the Orange Bird

I have an a-ma-zing quince bush in full bloom right outside the window of the craft room studio.


The previous owners of the home told us that every year, the grosbeaks will come and drink from the nectar of the quince blossoms.

The craft room studio is in a wood panelled room, which really suited the doctor when he used this room as his office. As far as craft rooms go, the dark really does not suit my purposes. All of this to say that I REALLY pruned the heck out of that bush last summer to get it away from the windows and bring in more light. I was more than a little worried that I'd gone too far. But look! Blossoms everywhere!

I was cleaning up in the craft room last week when I heard the sweetest song. I carefully pulled back the curtains and was greeted by this cheerful fellow.


Hello! And who are you?


A grosbeak? A Baltimore Oriole?


I enlisted my brother's help. Tim has taken up birding in a BIG way in his retirement. He is now our resident family bird expert. I sent Tim the photo, and he seems to think it may be a Baltimore Oriole.  In any case, he gave me good advice. He told me to cut an orange in half and hang it near one of my feeding stations. He promised me that the birds would love it. He also told me to hang up my hummingbird feeders now, because they will come for the quince nectar as well. He was right! A few days later, we saw all kinds of hummingbirds at this bush!

I made a card filled with flowers and birds and music, just like my quince bush. I used this week's Make It Monday challenge at PTI for my inspiration.



{Today's Brew: Birds of a Feather (PTI), ink (PTI), card stock (PTI), die cut (PTI)}

Thanks for visiting the cafe today!

7 comments:

  1. The blossoms are such a pretty color! I am glad you can enjoy all of this right out your window.

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    1. I know, Tami! The coral color of those quince blossoms...lovely!

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  2. Beautiful card and the sweetest inspiration! Love the scene outside of your window.

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    1. Thanks, Diane! It's a nice view for crafting inspiration!

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  3. Definitely an oriole, I think it is a Baltimore but it could be an orchard as well....we only get Baltimore orioles where I live (SE PA) and they, sadly, never come close enough to eat the oranges I put out! And I usually only get one or two a year, and they are my FAVORITE. The quince bush is gorgeous, and to have hummingbirds AND orioles at one time is a royal flush for sure! And your inspired card is sweet too!

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    1. Ha ha! A Royal Flush! I love that, LeAnne! It was a treat, that's for sure. Spring in PA has been lovely, hasn't it?

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  4. I also have a large flowering quince bush and it brings orioles when it is blooming. It is the only time I see them and it is very exciting

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