Nesting Bird Photos

Don't know what happened on the previous post. Didn't get the photos to post. So here they are. First is the dove on her nest. Then the male flycatcher, followed by the female flycatcher on her nest. Next is the hummer on their nest, you can see the tiny birds tail stuck up and last is the male sparrow that agrues with the flycatchers over territory around the hay shed.

Nesting Birds

I am thrilled to have so many birds nesting in mine and my neighbors yards this summer. My neighbor has a dove nesting in a purple leaf plum tree in her yard. In my yard we have a pair of flycatchers nesting in the cottonwood by the hay shed, and a pair of sparrows in a corner of the hay shed that makes it impossible to see the nest. The other day I discovered a pair of hummingbirds were nesting in the Bradford pear tree that is right outside my front door. I put out lots of water for the birds but don't put out any food for them. I am afraid of making them to dependent on me for food and bringing in other species of birds that I really don't want. But when I found the hummers nesting I went and bought two hummingbird feeders and hung them up since I couldn't figure out where the little birds were getting any food as there are only a few wildflowers blooming in my area at this time. I don't think there is enough to support these two little birds. So far I haven't seen them feeding from the feeders but hope they find them soon as they will need them when they start feeding chicks. Here are some photos of the birds.

Eclipse of the Moon

After a couple of weeks of windstorms and the worst one was last Sunday we have had a fairly nice couple of days. On Monday night I stayed up very late and watched the eclipse of the moon. I had seen them before and went to bed but then I decided to get up and watch it, so I did. It started about 11:30 pm here and the moon was totally dark at 1:30 am. And yes I could see the red glow over the moon that made it a blood moon but that color did not come out in my photos. I am pleased with my little Cannon camera for taking the photos it did of the moon so far away. Especially as I was standing there shaking in the cool air and didn't use a tripod. But at this point I was to tired and cold to stay up any longer so the photos are of the first half of the eclipse only.

By the Back Door

 This desert wild flower is growing by our back door or rather by the full length window by the back door. Tuffee dog was wanting in and Cassie cat was wanting out. Cassie will stand up and scratch on the glass to get my attention. But when she goes out she gets scared and wants back in, so she is an indoor cat which is what I want. My other cats want out to be barn cats and mousers. But we can't let them out much as we have too many coyotes in the neighborhood.

Apple Tree Blossoms

Redbud Tree

Orchid

one of the orchids I bought last year decided to bloom again this year. Don't know what I did different to this one I didn't do to the other two get this one to bloom. Will keep up what I know I did and hope the others bloom later.

Geranium

 

Amaryllis Flower

 Amaryllis are amazing flowers. They are a bulb that has long strappy leaves and usually once a year they put up a long stalk with 2 to 4 very large blossoms. I got this one about 8 years ago. It bloomed and knowing it was hard to get them to re-bloom it migrated around through my plants stuck in here or there where there was extra room for it. A couple of weeks ago I notice it had decided to bloom again. First there was the long stalk with just a touch of red showing, gradually it got talker and bigger until all 3 blossoms were open. They are each at least 6 inches across. Of course one of the cats decided to play with one and put a couple of scratches in it.

A Little Spring

 Nectarine, peach blossoms. Notice the bee in the first photo. I was glad to see the bees out as we need them to pollinate fruit and veggies. If you are careful they won't sting. The white ones are Bradford pears which are non-fruiting trees.

Indoor Flowers

Some of my indoor flowers are blooming which makes the winter a lot brighter.