Despite fewer blossoms to nourish the visiting hummers now, they still visit daily. I watch them sip nectar and defend their territory against other birds and me. The butterfly bushes, a hummingbird favorite, will continue to flower until the first frost. Once the last flowers wilt, these […]
The flicker kept munching away … … when suddenly a rare visitor to our garden peeked out from the beautyberry bush. A Western Scrub Jay hopped out of the bushes … … looked around … … and then jumped over onto the suet feeder pole. […]
There’s been a seemingly endless stream of bird parents bringing their fledglings to our garden this summer, teaching them how to feed themselves. Northern Flickers are in the tree climber/woodpecker family. They are shy birds and easily spooked by people. They also always announce their […]
This rufous hummingbird is usually keeps his distance when I’m in the garden. All hummingbirds love salvia! After the hummers battle each other in the air, the winner always seems to return to the plant where the battle first began. 🙂 Charging me! This is when […]
It’s been a while since I saw a pileated woodpecker in the garden! Well technically he landed high up on one of the Doug firs just behind the fence. I look at the forest as an extension, a space that attracts an enormous number of […]
Years ago I planted a “Cotton Candy” white butterfly bush right outside our bedroom window. During the summer months we leave the windows open and many mornings I wake up to the sound of hummingbird wings whirring by. I open my eyes and am treated […]
Every time I think of pulling out this bright pink vetch one of my hummingbird friends comes along to let me know how much they love this beautiful invasive weed. 🙂
Imagine my surprise when I got another visit from the Cooper’s hawk Saturday afternoon! He came swooshing through the shrubs and landed right in front of me on the birdbath. There he sat still for a few moments, then hopped onto the ground behind the […]
Summer is here and so are the hummingbirds! Hummers rarely sit still. This one however just sat and sipped nectar for a few moments. Crocosmia is a favorite hummingbird flower! “Lecker!” Delicious! Check out the tongue down below! I never get tired of watching hummingbirds! And […]
While sitting outside one morning last week, the Zendog and I suddenly felt a swoosh of air moving past our heads. For a moment all I could see was a bright blur heading straight for the lilac bush. Once this brightly colored bird landed, I […]
How do you spell potato? 😉 Late Sunday afternoon I I noticed a rather large creature rustling through the bushes around my wildflower corner. I looked up and couldn’t believe my eyes! Right there in front of me I saw this beautiful California quail. He […]
There are several birdbaths in my garden, but this song sparrow took a dip in a puddle that formed on a black plastic tarp. Last spring I covered a large part of a flowerbed with it, in hope of taming some out of control alstroemeria. […]
Most of the time, chickadees don’t sit still for a portrait session like this one. But when I encountered this tiny chestnut-backed chickadee the other day, I was surprised at the cooperation, or perhaps he was simply just curious about me! Chickadees visit in small […]
With spring’s arrival nourishing blossoms unfurl hummingbird returns. For his weeks Friendly Friday theme Amanda from Something to Ponder About chose Feelings of Spring for the theme. Go and visit her blog to check out the beautiful sunflowers in her post from down under, where […]
There are lots and lots of these tiny red-breasted nuthatches in the woods behind our house. How do I know you might wonder? Well, I know because I can hear them calling in their thin nasally voice all day long. For a tiny (4 1/2 […]
No need to squabble Robins of the Round Table Plenty to go ’round Since yesterday morning, a flock of 40+ robins has been hanging out in my garden. They arrived shortly after I filled up the birdbaths with fresh water in the morning. A few […]
This spotted towhee visited my garden last Sunday after it had snowed. The clouds had mostly drifted off into the distance and sun rays were peeking through the forest. The afternoon lighting was beautiful and the neighborhood quiet. Suddenly this distinctly patterned bird hopped right […]
weightless pairs of wings in solstice sunshine … cold moon lit Christmas roses. Have a Zen Sunday! Sabine
in cahoots with muddy boots 