Several years ago friends gave me a flowering shrub as a retirement gift: a Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus x cistena). It persisted through droughts, monsoons, subzero temperatures, snow, ice and benign neglect, as well as transplant shock, and has finally produced a major bloom. Strategically positioned between two bird feeders, it has been the focal point of backyard songbird activity this spring. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
Black-capped Chickadee
Goldfinches, the males now sporting their bright breeding plumage, swarm a ‘Nyjer’ seed (thistle-like seed) feeder throughout the day and brighten even the darkest days!
Female Goldfinch
The Spring songbird migration is in full swing so any of a dozen species can appear unexpectedly, and disappear as quickly as they arrived. I had about 30 seconds to interact with each of these colorful visitors.
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Photos by NB Hunter. (May 2 – 4, 2017). © All Rights Reserved
Nick's Nature Pics 
I want all of these photos! Beautiful colors! When are you doing an order? I have a lot of favorites I have been compiling!
All wildlife seems to like the purple leaf sand cherries. I see Emma and Ronnie nibbling them daily and I wonder if they’ll ever grow much. In the eight years ours have been planted, they are still very small! Daisy and her herd have done them in in the past, and now Emma and Ronnie!
simply too beautiful. I’ve always wanted a purple leaf sand cherry. this clinches it!
Real mood lifters!
Nice, I really like the Goldfinches. I saw a Hairy Woodpecker, and Cardinal in my backyard today, despite the unseasonably cold weather.