Rufous Red Baron

The sun was shining bright today, so hummingbirds came out to play:) Rufous hummingbirds have invaded my space, swooping, diving, making lots of noise, and using the nearby birch tree as a resting place. There were even numerous 'dogfights' resulting in contact (and flying feathers too). Think I'll name these guys Snoopy and Rufous Red Baron!

I Love Orange(s)

While Southern California's orange groves are fast disappearing, orange trees live on in suburban yards. Our navel orange tree loves its sunny, south-facing location and is busy all year. Fruit ripens between October and January becoming sweeter with time spent on branch, so if you like your orange juice sweet, have patience! By February, pretty white blossoms begin to appear producing a fragrance like no other (talk about aroma therapy!). The orange tree's cycle overlaps so blooms can exist with mature fruit from the previous year. Orange trees are natural hummingbird havens too. Hummers hide and nest in the dense foliage; bathe in leaf-cupped rainwater; and feed on the many spiders and bugs living there.

This year January 1st was Mimosa Day. Fresh (from the tree;) orange juice and champagne in equal parts made for a tasty start to 2010, post Rose Parade of course!

Cheers and Happy New Year!

Peruvian Apple Cactus

Last July I wrote about our Peruvian Apple Cactus, and
it has become a fairly popular post on the Hummingbird Happiness Blog. Since the cactus is blooming again, I thought I'd do a little revisit;)

Definitely a member of our family, it was planted in the backyard (much too close to the fence;) about 30 years ago. A gift from my brother-in-law, it arrived as a section of trunk and roots, huge, heavy, and ancient. I couldn't give it's exact age, but my guess is that the original plant must be at least 70 years old.

For safety purposes, we've trimmed it back to the original trunk a number of times. The 'spires' are quite tall and very heavy, so we utilize a method of pruning using ropes, a ladder, and bow saw to take them down one by one. Timber!!!! Cuttings can be rooted, so they often become second generation cacti.

The flowers are lovely, but night-blooming, so early morning is the best time to enjoy them. Notice (in the photo above) the complete flowering cycle of a bloom. There are the small buds, one ready to open, the open flower, and the beginning of the cactus fruit, or pitaya, where a spent bloom has fallen, leaving a dangling string behind.

The (Box) Turtle

The turtle can't go out to play,
Or sell his house or rent it;
For when he moves,
His house moves too
And nothing can prevent it.

It's always a good day when I see our box turtle.
Half the year he hibernates; the other half he forages for food...so he can hibernate! He keeps the snail population in check, but, sadly, he has reduced the number of fence lizards in the yard too. Today I found him floating in the pond. Mosquito fish for lunch? Possibly!

(Poem courtesy of Can Teach)

Isn't She A Beauty?

An alligator lizard among the roses. Now that's juxtaposition! She brings back memories of my childhood when catching just one alligator lizard trumped corralling five to ten “blue-belly” fence lizards. Alligator lizards have attitude. They're arrogant loners with powerful jaws, a snake-ish slither, and keeled scales that look like armor. The tail, if original, almost doubles the lizard's length and is slightly prehensile. It can detach too, for a quick escape from predators. Will an alligator lizard climb a tree? Most certainly! Not only do they munch on bugs, but also on eggs and baby birds.

Notice the Nest?

While walking the other day, I noticed a mourning dove flying toward a flowering pear tree. She didn't hold the traditional olive branch in her mouth; rather, dry pine needles. Hmmmm. Maybe I should investigate;) Sure enough, there was a nest, but I did not linger since I was disturbing the two doves working so diligently to complete their home.

My logical mind doubted their choice of locations. The nest was hidden in leaves, but so low to the ground....and SO close to the sidewalk. The tree is located in a park, but fortunately not in a play area. Perhaps no one would notice them. Except me;)

My walking route varies daily, but I do check the birdies when I can. This nest is not the first one I have monitored. One year at work, we discovered a pair of nesting doves. We could see them at eye level through the second floor window, but the best view was from the third floor window looking down. Mom and Dad successfully raised two youngsters. It was a happy day when they flew away, but a little sad to see the empty nest. Wonder if birdie moms feel the same as their human counterparts? ;)

Three Little Parakeets....

...my pets, and notoriously messy! That's one reason they live outside;) Parakeets can easily survive Southern California winters OUTDOORS (provided they have adequate shelter). When my old walk-in aviary finally succumbed to weather, hookbills, and termites, I razed it with the intent to build something smaller. A few years ago, I discovered some heavy-duty storage racks on clearance at Lowes. The price was right too. With some adjustments to the assembly, plywood, pegboard, a few pieces of cedar and some aviary wire, my three little parakeets had a new home. These days the cage is a little rusty, but my birdies are as pretty as ever!