Sunflower Cycle

Our sunflowers began in spring as seedlings in terracotta pots. A good transplant location caused them to respond in kind, shooting up tall, straight, and proud. A roadtrip through South Dakota in 1994 convinced me to be a sunflower fan. We were traveling the highway to Mount Rushmore (the rustic version, prior to the facility remodel). Suddenly, a huge field of mature sunflowers appeared beside the road! The flowers lined up in perfect formation almost like soldiers, countenances turned upward toward the sun. It was an image I’ve never forgotten..but not to be duplicated in an urban backyard!

So we plant just a handful of backyard sunflowers. They stretch and shine, then droop with age and weight. The stalks have been cut and are drying now, reminiscent of old curved walking sticks. The seed pod faces, gnarled and textural, will provide food for the sparrows and mourning doves this winter. Nature always offers a wonderful cycle:)

Birdland

Summer is coming to a close and my little bird will be leaving the nest. He heads back to school this weekend, a College Senior, University of Redlands, Class of 2009. Time flies painfully fast sometimes, and though I miss him as a child, I love the adult he has become.

He is a proud member of the Kappa Sigma Sigma Fraternity too. He is a Bird. Fraternity Headquarters "The Birdhouse"...

How appropriate;)

Peak Migration

Peak Migration Time for Hummingbirds begins in August and can continue into October. Fortunately, we see them all year long in Southern California, but even here, peak season means increased 'squeaks and humming' and more 'aerial combat' near the feeders. In the early 1970’s, Seals and Crofts sang about Hummingbirds. While their hit referred to the Baha’i Faith, the lyrics in simplest form can express feelings of loss when hummingbirds leave. Loss of a friend, maybe; but we are forever changed...

Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
In you I've found a fragrance.
I'll love you 'til I die.
I just love you, love you, love you.
I don't even know the reason why.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
The sweetness of your nectar has drawn me like a fly.
I just love you, love you, love you.
I don't even know the reason why.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away.
Hummingbird don't fly away, fly away....

Morning Blooms

Up early, I tilted the blinds of the computer room (which faces the backyard) and discovered the blooms of my Peruvian Apple Cactus still open. So pretty! I noticed lots of bees too, so I grabbed the camera and headed outside. The cactus was alive and literally humming with busy, intense workers who could care less that I was watching. I'm glad they're back though:) In the 1980's, California had an infestation of Medflies which threatened fruit crops. During that time, state government decided to attack the little pests by helicopter. Malathion sprays were conducted at night, and though deemed "safe" for humans, we stayed indoors and protected our cars from the paint-corrosive chemical. The bee population dropped considerably during that time and numbers were slow to increase for many years...but now a change has come. Welcome back, bees!