Signs of Spring and Bird Activity

Two weeks or so ago we had this:

Yesterday we got to around 30 Celsius - just in time for the packing and movers.- I love moving during a heat wave : )  ...at least it isn't raining so all is good.
Looking at the blossoms in our back yard I noticed this nest....clever little birds have used some Easter basket grass.

Another busy pair of birds have decided to move into my Bluebird house...the one that I very thoughtfully moved to an unlikely location, so that they wouldn't use it and that I could take with us when we move. I got the box several years ago at the Fairhope art show, and have put it out waiting patiently for birds to move in...people wait years for Bluebirds to discover and "like" their boxes. 

So of course while we were not looking a pair built a nest...it is low to the ground and on a table we are moving....now what do I do???  

                                      one delivers nesting material, while the other stands guard.

 The same clever birds that made this nest have been very busy pooping on my car every day too.

and while we enjoy lots of birding activity and swelter in the heat, James in Fort Collins is feeling a bit chilly.

The grand finale

DC put on a show this week, the cherry blossoms are in full peak. I drove into town and spent a couple of hours - most of the time stuck in traffic, but it was worth it!

After our stroll along the walk way, a couple of geocaches, and a look at the nearby Roosevelt memorial, we headed back into the traffic to get lunch and do a quick visit to the National Gallery for a Durer Exhibit.

(scaffolding on Washington Monument for earthquake repairs)

First up lunch - at  food truck row. 

Office workers pouring out of federal buildings and lining up to buy lunch - we joined in. 

Central City DC is apparently a food desert, so the trucks do a roaring trade with all the office buildings located there.  

Food truck row is featured on a lot of Food TV - it got me interested a while ago.

                                             
                                               a truck just for mac and cheese...really?

after the painful decisions of where to buy, and then what to buy, we found a spot along side the office workers and a family of two. There were no benches, no trash cans either!! thank goodness it was a hot day and sitting along the grass was a pleasure.

 By now time was running out,we had lost a lot sitting in traffic, so we had to pass on the National Gallery (I needed to get home and prep for the movers) - but did soak up one very modern sculpture on our way past the Hirshhorn.

     leaving the city I saw this container grouping - reminded me of

the start up container mall in Christchurch, see my car in the window?