tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31343353693914099662024-03-19T03:44:05.320-07:00once upon a pondWelcome to some of the goings on my little chunk of Calieche in the Rincon Valley. Hope you enjoy your visit!Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-13325098679434296932011-06-19T02:11:00.000-07:002011-06-19T07:58:56.067-07:00Tweets from the Northwest<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25299005?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="320" frameborder="0" height="240"></iframe><br /><br /> Last year I had to say so long to my home in the Desert. I've been adjusting life in the Pacific Northwest this spring, along with its bounty of beautiful songbirds. I recorded this song this morning, but some how screwed up on the frame rate, so it plays low and slow. Bummer I only have DSL now and it took forever to upload. I'll have to fix it later. Enjoy some of Southern Oregon's finest tweets.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-53308341456391432522010-05-26T15:12:00.000-07:002010-05-26T15:16:18.516-07:00Honey Nuggets<object width="360" height="240"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12062475&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=4f704f&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12062475&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=4f704f&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="360" height="240"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /> There's no better way to enjoy the transition from spring to summer than to watch the quail chicks head down to the pond for a sip. I shot some video of the little darlings this morning. I like to refer to the chicks as honey nuggets. So I titled this clip "Honey Nuggets". The music is played by Jon Sayles who is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of early classical music from all over Europe. You can listen to many delightful samples <a href="http://www.jsayles.com/familypages/earlymusic.htm#Musical%20Selections">over here</a>.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-42021321727099728262010-05-23T15:00:00.000-07:002010-05-23T15:28:16.100-07:00Spring Visitors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.pixeloosa.com/roadrunnertest.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 155px;" src="http://www.pixeloosa.com/roadrunnertest.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> This is a little animated gif I created of a Roadrunner. I'm posting it for Illustration Friday's weekly topic "Early". The early bird gets the worm. Yet in this case just he would get just about anything. Roadrunner's will eat whatever crosses their path. I've seen one eating a finch. I don't mind when a hawk swoops down and scoops up a bird and fly's off. However the Roadrunner will eat its pray right on my patio, leaving me to clean up the aftermath....yecch.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbfqRyKZ3nZEm7hyphenhyphendOAuBYbfSfsxCfK-gyLjkCAdXT-uFPShqGr_k4SQx2C5WYydRXdmR9qSBc7jKDWubtFLsBhi357pSt5-L8z27UXVNJJLHeN2Qo2mhvDnKDKPuiAWrp-ckeqU0oe1q/s1600/Western+Tanager.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbfqRyKZ3nZEm7hyphenhyphendOAuBYbfSfsxCfK-gyLjkCAdXT-uFPShqGr_k4SQx2C5WYydRXdmR9qSBc7jKDWubtFLsBhi357pSt5-L8z27UXVNJJLHeN2Qo2mhvDnKDKPuiAWrp-ckeqU0oe1q/s400/Western+Tanager.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589938119689618" border="0" /></a><br />In the last few weeks I've spotted some species I've yet to see before. I've caught brief glimpses of this Western Tanager, yet never had a chance to get a shot of him until just the other day. He sure is handsome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd-8-xDTD3lePo_j-S7TZKewuvUy4deoGnidgrGU8f1FEqtphu5rRTu3bWek57_oubYyOUVpbJnXBL1yN5B2bjykY8NOu00OcF3b977fNITS0tvMyFr3E9icAodxJgEQnyZN2e2Kr84ky/s1600/Lazuli+Bunting+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd-8-xDTD3lePo_j-S7TZKewuvUy4deoGnidgrGU8f1FEqtphu5rRTu3bWek57_oubYyOUVpbJnXBL1yN5B2bjykY8NOu00OcF3b977fNITS0tvMyFr3E9icAodxJgEQnyZN2e2Kr84ky/s400/Lazuli+Bunting+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589699128286306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0D5Idf2ljlWxKfE5eKqeo2794qr_usT-UzUuSoRmtmsv7cgAM04uMot4W22sCW_qJn208DQrIr7oXF6uB-VdR52sFdalOk-eR9tAz4oXzSqrhMUPOMlLRlx4nobaGIuvMSsW5hyphenhyphenMlZ07/s1600/Lazuli+Bunting+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0D5Idf2ljlWxKfE5eKqeo2794qr_usT-UzUuSoRmtmsv7cgAM04uMot4W22sCW_qJn208DQrIr7oXF6uB-VdR52sFdalOk-eR9tAz4oXzSqrhMUPOMlLRlx4nobaGIuvMSsW5hyphenhyphenMlZ07/s400/Lazuli+Bunting+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589691885466546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AcCw01k4OggY1y5tOsGvm86sDcQieDACzc-BigjbyVHFBz2fJAQ8XFnOaoJ3Kdj-gwbgaeqdkcdpqgaLupQqAKzVUYJrTEW0DhSAIXU_fmq1V6_QjJQQ5L1YxSbLaD4Q1OXMMYozyqJl/s1600/Lazuli+Bunting+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AcCw01k4OggY1y5tOsGvm86sDcQieDACzc-BigjbyVHFBz2fJAQ8XFnOaoJ3Kdj-gwbgaeqdkcdpqgaLupQqAKzVUYJrTEW0DhSAIXU_fmq1V6_QjJQQ5L1YxSbLaD4Q1OXMMYozyqJl/s400/Lazuli+Bunting+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589681725668242" border="0" /></a><br /> This is a first spotting for this bird as well. I believe he is a Lazuli Bunting.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd369yEMm7nF-WrLkcom-3XQReA27GzwIVLJlCUlyWSxm9rF5GJH723PQisk4OqSORKbKKk_XOPFWSpGxxPVoNahhL4MZIFg0d-Xp4OcNJQ1zIxspJ0syBLFGmwCR2lLKe6KCvOJWdEjL/s1600/big+ass+buzzard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd369yEMm7nF-WrLkcom-3XQReA27GzwIVLJlCUlyWSxm9rF5GJH723PQisk4OqSORKbKKk_XOPFWSpGxxPVoNahhL4MZIFg0d-Xp4OcNJQ1zIxspJ0syBLFGmwCR2lLKe6KCvOJWdEjL/s400/big+ass+buzzard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589679705260434" border="0" /></a><br /> The Turkey Vultures around here are huge! This one looks big enough to fly off with a golf cart. I'm hoping to get a shot of him with some background other than just sky, for a better size reference.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg-vzGs6Ldgq9gKpnGuAv1hyphenhyphenQv6d9qL6iKBJAVnNS815H9mzwKGkZ4-nuLMwA2J7hWDdT5PtNCSw0cHPU0UmWwYV4f_zbGyESEfuQtuMgy6Z7wPTL47ppr2VugpMq6oHZdkExSG7I3aMr/s1600/wild_iris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg-vzGs6Ldgq9gKpnGuAv1hyphenhyphenQv6d9qL6iKBJAVnNS815H9mzwKGkZ4-nuLMwA2J7hWDdT5PtNCSw0cHPU0UmWwYV4f_zbGyESEfuQtuMgy6Z7wPTL47ppr2VugpMq6oHZdkExSG7I3aMr/s400/wild_iris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474589667704750722" border="0" /></a><br /> The Wild Irises are in bloom. When I first moved in I was told they were Lily's. I may have even referred to them as Lily's in earlier posts. I'm not really sure what species of Iris this is, but I really enjoy their beautiful flowers.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-84539448732340625762010-04-15T23:15:00.000-07:002010-04-20T12:49:34.817-07:00Vermilion Flycatcher<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11084087&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=4f704f&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11084087&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=4f704f&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /> This morning a Vermilion Flycatcher stopped by. Right after I got the camera set up, he came in a little closer and landed in a young Palo Verde tree.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-90466593106574148662010-04-10T07:12:00.000-07:002010-04-10T07:29:47.620-07:00Linking for Illo Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y4uABGSekO3h3K843ucgNN5PSZcXqjR_qGotHeoM8Bi9gMZ4jRhou2Dw9U7GA50rio0keJmyhCBXuoDPIDdJorsm2xvl-GsdTqLzCyBbzckcHegnexXcU2pLodQfKhl8OOif_thQfoWK/s1600/snake_tile_linking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y4uABGSekO3h3K843ucgNN5PSZcXqjR_qGotHeoM8Bi9gMZ4jRhou2Dw9U7GA50rio0keJmyhCBXuoDPIDdJorsm2xvl-GsdTqLzCyBbzckcHegnexXcU2pLodQfKhl8OOif_thQfoWK/s400/snake_tile_linking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458512239459760514" border="0" /></a><br /> This weeks "Illustration Friday" challenge is "Linking". I had a visit from a Bull Snake the other day who inspired me to do a snake motif for the challenge.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ouv5R4n8L9H6Ul7xZXCkfIfxevt9fgz-hlxvmTrbDF4id2gJKjSw2nxnAJOXkYp3ooHKglbOxuqbiQmXE3_HuPp86Ux9d0Y28UM8kY6qbOLD1zCky9QcBEItMuCGCSASgMsNiY92kKo8/s1600/bullsnake_backyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ouv5R4n8L9H6Ul7xZXCkfIfxevt9fgz-hlxvmTrbDF4id2gJKjSw2nxnAJOXkYp3ooHKglbOxuqbiQmXE3_HuPp86Ux9d0Y28UM8kY6qbOLD1zCky9QcBEItMuCGCSASgMsNiY92kKo8/s400/bullsnake_backyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458512113936248146" border="0" /></a><br /> Hmmm...I wonder what this Bull Snake has got a hankering for?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t2uCkjoxVwYbYAvT_yIDMhtbb8uZAGUV-YbpYJPawFkPSdypEWTpjvPRnVITfP223HMSH6Fd6XsTFFlxfCF6MQDQsLs2jE_06-qSl-ht1_CUcyq2dj0PWexEaXMxcfFUuQMRI1LGO9zt/s1600/cactus_big_pink_blossom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t2uCkjoxVwYbYAvT_yIDMhtbb8uZAGUV-YbpYJPawFkPSdypEWTpjvPRnVITfP223HMSH6Fd6XsTFFlxfCF6MQDQsLs2jE_06-qSl-ht1_CUcyq2dj0PWexEaXMxcfFUuQMRI1LGO9zt/s400/cactus_big_pink_blossom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458512000964217746" border="0" /></a><br /> Things are really starting to bloom down at Wild Desert Nursery. Deb alerts me when the time is ripe to venture down with my camera. Some of the blossoms are simply spectacular.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSjJL6C6DwwwWuzzIINVldrkPc-Ia38_M5c_HSG6doVIP0g0SePeqxIdHGQBvZNa3M0dhvII1V4zQx9skm37XkM11RbCB3OmIA4wd52UIMYhiWL5HaeRjCVpkA33FZz4cmzXWVQFo4qPn/s1600/oriel_honeysuckle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSjJL6C6DwwwWuzzIINVldrkPc-Ia38_M5c_HSG6doVIP0g0SePeqxIdHGQBvZNa3M0dhvII1V4zQx9skm37XkM11RbCB3OmIA4wd52UIMYhiWL5HaeRjCVpkA33FZz4cmzXWVQFo4qPn/s400/oriel_honeysuckle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458511882219674162" border="0" /></a><br /> We had a visit from what appears to be a young Oriole.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkGQSdtBgB8OWY6lINpMbdozp1w0H6Ed2mTjiZjnInq5wVOKwlPDf_94DlrAXAsYTdJRYstCok-91xAU5RbZH0IcnfYfV4_6AZiEdtsjOY7QhQzuh9goqtMth-Liiwc935Wi_WhIyd88J/s1600/chipmunk_in_seed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkGQSdtBgB8OWY6lINpMbdozp1w0H6Ed2mTjiZjnInq5wVOKwlPDf_94DlrAXAsYTdJRYstCok-91xAU5RbZH0IcnfYfV4_6AZiEdtsjOY7QhQzuh9goqtMth-Liiwc935Wi_WhIyd88J/s400/chipmunk_in_seed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458511745796573810" border="0" /></a><br /> I really need to be mindful of where I leave the bird seed. This critter had better watch his back, because there is a big ass bull snake patrolling the yard now. I've cut down on the amount of seed I give to the birds at any given time, to keep these rodents from getting out of hand. I would love to see the Bull Snake stick around and patrol for Rattlers as well.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-91971611516331668342010-04-08T15:22:00.000-07:002010-04-08T15:25:01.222-07:00The Chipmunks Chagrin<object width="320" height="240"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10767511&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10767511&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="320" height="240"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />I’ve been trying to come up with different ways to keep the Chipmunks off of the seed block and out of the bird feed. I decided to slap a little bit of salad oil on the pole and it seems to be working pretty good already. I got some shots of an extremely tenacious rodent trying to shimmy up a greased pole. I added some clips of a few birds splashing about in the pond. I found the music from a creative commons source. The Song is called “Waterbound” and it from a band called “Shake that Little Foot. This is where you can find the song....I guess they block links here, so you will have to type in the three w’s and the dot first then the rest of the address is as follows.<br />archive.org/details/Shake_that_Little_Foot<br /> As always, thanks for stopping in.<br /><br />.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-746521861078201642010-04-06T16:50:00.000-07:002010-04-06T17:36:22.522-07:00Skinny Dip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdIvTWZKBV0ar-loQoBw-6i-9yWY_9iHJa-EyVV0m_pXg6Vm-8YB1jN4E99mq4DkiAjJ_QXtZ_-LdZ1jjkj_3I-308Sm7RxVKqfiDCmJb1ykvHchKwttxmfLRTIxHGdMEvbsR0a4gyHSD/s1600/henerymandala_pixi+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdIvTWZKBV0ar-loQoBw-6i-9yWY_9iHJa-EyVV0m_pXg6Vm-8YB1jN4E99mq4DkiAjJ_QXtZ_-LdZ1jjkj_3I-308Sm7RxVKqfiDCmJb1ykvHchKwttxmfLRTIxHGdMEvbsR0a4gyHSD/s400/henerymandala_pixi+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457184276600698882" border="0" /></a><br />I did A portrait of the Coopers Hawk and put it on the cover of my website. I decided to give the site a face lift and add some new animated GIF's, and a motion graphics reel. I'd love any feedback on the site. Unfortunately Go Daddy is not playing fair over letting go of their url, so the link to one of the most recent site designs is currently comatose. I've grown so fond of the Hawk and have been nursing a yen to slap her in the middle of a madala for quite a while. So now she's finally done. Henerietta the dipping Hawk. My new portfolio is over at...<a href="http://www.pixeloosa.com/">www.pixeloosa.com<br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVMuPdNUiwN1aaDxVKqmzydn9XEyLYEPYoFzL9ajJWAqGRX_1CsLHajX55XEJxiQxaaAvUVvYBBZhSbiRnS-LQ_az4iFgz32g9NjEdjTeo34y_xSrtdxGlOTSZdYxT0cP3tnSn55hOKdM/s1600/henery_etta_pond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVMuPdNUiwN1aaDxVKqmzydn9XEyLYEPYoFzL9ajJWAqGRX_1CsLHajX55XEJxiQxaaAvUVvYBBZhSbiRnS-LQ_az4iFgz32g9NjEdjTeo34y_xSrtdxGlOTSZdYxT0cP3tnSn55hOKdM/s400/henery_etta_pond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457177302638254210" border="0" /></a><br />I really started feeling like a dip sh*t; for calling this majestic hawk "Henery".<br />Come to find out Henery is really "Henietta". He is actually a she. The female is much larger than the male, so I guess that's how I got confused. She loves taking long dips in the pond. A couple of posts back I uploaded some great video footage of her taking a long dip. That post is over here...<a href="http://onceuponapond.blogspot.com/2009/12/leslies-friends.html">http://onceuponapond.blogspot.com/2009/12/leslies-friends.html</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq-s9ebUkYsFMgnXSkfthO2rBlkcf-WA55kReuEl-peirMv2b0m6pzwSBwNcCSnQqM9dW3KnetDtjuPxMohP3_2yNeibn7ARUsGzdjBN9Pjg3N6V6MkIzJpRLY_ol53FWkqeJL_nBV96X/s1600/coyote_fence.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrq-s9ebUkYsFMgnXSkfthO2rBlkcf-WA55kReuEl-peirMv2b0m6pzwSBwNcCSnQqM9dW3KnetDtjuPxMohP3_2yNeibn7ARUsGzdjBN9Pjg3N6V6MkIzJpRLY_ol53FWkqeJL_nBV96X/s400/coyote_fence.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457176181508421458" border="0" /></a><br />Meet the Coyote that's been running throughout the wash. I call him Sabicus.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-17007499391728486292010-01-17T09:17:00.000-08:002010-01-17T09:29:42.202-08:00Leapin Linkin Lizards<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIQwqMy93eqT6x1dB7m_h-AtBl9RPxiUVR7JWsaD0nQnasP0xR4qhZSZJtTp7bFLZ-AqlKrRjca2648cAFFDqOROEauxFArQ_tU0IiyhVJ16G9N6G2lO_iUrTkYKYmsIXMAeZV0ncN1a8/s1600-h/lizard+tesselation02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIQwqMy93eqT6x1dB7m_h-AtBl9RPxiUVR7JWsaD0nQnasP0xR4qhZSZJtTp7bFLZ-AqlKrRjca2648cAFFDqOROEauxFArQ_tU0IiyhVJ16G9N6G2lO_iUrTkYKYmsIXMAeZV0ncN1a8/s400/lizard+tesselation02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427762146808702578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This image is inspired by Illustration Friday's weekly topic "Wilderness". Most of the wild things in these parts have feathers and scales. We have seen coyotes, bobcats, javalina, deer,<br />and plenty of other furry critters in the wilderness around here. Yet the the birds and reptiles seem to dominate the scenery in my little wild backyard. Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you enjoyed the lizard motif.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-65871723098770713062009-12-08T17:29:00.000-08:002009-12-08T17:34:45.544-08:00Leslies Friends<object width="400" height="265"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8064555&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8064555&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="265"></embed></object><br /><br><br /> I had a couple of young friends over the other morning. They gave me a hand in filming some of the birds that stop by for breakfast every morning. I added some footage of "Henery" the Coopers Hawk. Thank you for your help with this video Tristen and Kayla.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-67349856158329287402009-12-04T04:58:00.001-08:002009-12-04T05:04:22.491-08:00So Long Agave<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUl5tEmroOQU2Tw_y9mbejZJeRrMHXD5Etl_OXna8wFv6ElMJeivFUQnni0CxJ57DSGOsUt2a-_CqArZjdJWa6sD0-syESd44rNeCPPTFoQZvGfzgfa5t1Kf1c8RdsRTFC4cKOSGdyHhr/s1600-h/mutant_barrrel_pond_nov.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUl5tEmroOQU2Tw_y9mbejZJeRrMHXD5Etl_OXna8wFv6ElMJeivFUQnni0CxJ57DSGOsUt2a-_CqArZjdJWa6sD0-syESd44rNeCPPTFoQZvGfzgfa5t1Kf1c8RdsRTFC4cKOSGdyHhr/s400/mutant_barrrel_pond_nov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411364715330059458" border="0" /></a><br /> Sadly the Agave did not survive the snout beetle feast. It was sad to have to see it go. I decided to replace it with a very cool mutant Barrel cactus, and a couple of Cholla's. They really seem to ad a lot more color to the pond area. Clicking the image will get you the zoomed in version. Thanks for peeking in!Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-36066897951566562009-12-04T04:36:00.000-08:002009-12-04T04:56:38.543-08:00Home Is Where the Hawk Is<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oom8kr4VxYDtEPwth6tZ7hjF0Yt0Cm4SyJWhvrTBtr9ikMKFZbqoF1D7safWIClE1x6mh6VV5-e8iuKJRMWEoyJD9jelL714iH15fX7p0gbzl-ZvSepbNOx_mrVIvczM5mi3CEwx40Ur/s1600-h/henery_screech.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oom8kr4VxYDtEPwth6tZ7hjF0Yt0Cm4SyJWhvrTBtr9ikMKFZbqoF1D7safWIClE1x6mh6VV5-e8iuKJRMWEoyJD9jelL714iH15fX7p0gbzl-ZvSepbNOx_mrVIvczM5mi3CEwx40Ur/s400/henery_screech.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411359948142416098" border="0" /></a><br /> These last few weeks have been good for getting pictures of Henery. He sat on the rail and let out a screech while preparing to pounce on a finch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttDDvA-yn0DgrOOs9_Q4U5SyrpZ13gV9ef49zRuzSHccOShRgQl-ChPc7MgYuvYzr5mUSWKNz0KM4naTTjJhYCe9pjEkNGbMC2K0glx7eb5gdB4YgVtniYsh-tufs4jS7HBe4OJpZY9tl/s1600-h/henery_oct_closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttDDvA-yn0DgrOOs9_Q4U5SyrpZ13gV9ef49zRuzSHccOShRgQl-ChPc7MgYuvYzr5mUSWKNz0KM4naTTjJhYCe9pjEkNGbMC2K0glx7eb5gdB4YgVtniYsh-tufs4jS7HBe4OJpZY9tl/s400/henery_oct_closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411359719179282802" border="0" /></a><br /> He is getting more brazen and less bothered by the paparazzi everyday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXVksD0ghrKTOszdwWBphZFiKBiye0unNHL0wrWll63kACHkaWZE4gola2YZqb9_tyWgnNG9IbuaWdOZNu1-sPG5_r8lcctdJRlYSdfqymG-Gr7qw-Os3dd67YTloSHZAB-tyg-8JdZ2s/s1600-h/henery_bath_01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXVksD0ghrKTOszdwWBphZFiKBiye0unNHL0wrWll63kACHkaWZE4gola2YZqb9_tyWgnNG9IbuaWdOZNu1-sPG5_r8lcctdJRlYSdfqymG-Gr7qw-Os3dd67YTloSHZAB-tyg-8JdZ2s/s400/henery_bath_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411359544442772754" border="0" /></a><br /> He loves to park his tail feathers in the pond.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSpQVYKF5O0mY00hAN-LsJcgOV6rIM_hqcCYN1a_f6TEq6HlrtmiOWsDZS1zfIwsWxiLIHpsH7AEFtVHR2rslisLlWnqtwZarUIzUm4W-SgU3V2PhrCxDGIK1uJStdFXuJ2FSXOl_mS2B/s1600-h/henery_bath_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSpQVYKF5O0mY00hAN-LsJcgOV6rIM_hqcCYN1a_f6TEq6HlrtmiOWsDZS1zfIwsWxiLIHpsH7AEFtVHR2rslisLlWnqtwZarUIzUm4W-SgU3V2PhrCxDGIK1uJStdFXuJ2FSXOl_mS2B/s400/henery_bath_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411359414360363890" border="0" /></a><br /> I guess while hunkered down like this in the water he must feel somewhat camouflaged enough to surprise a feathered morsel coming in for a drink. And there he will sit for up to an hour at a time watching the yard like a .......hey.......I guess he's doing his job and watching the yard like a Hawk. Oh Henery your simply awesome thanks for beautifying my yard.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-71572938981020594812009-09-02T13:15:00.001-07:002009-12-04T05:06:07.315-08:00Breakfast Interuptus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMHR0CXOk8ii7-JMck0esfTL6XAo9RWBs_KfobdZjmVowNDPMCKWreA2dP-BinEo_TAIN41pKnk3_CD2eYQbgshisoHp7Hj93NVAOmOGJPRXo_ZJ4a36Z9w2L3SJMTyR12LBCse1kBhS5/s1600-h/breakfast+interuptus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMHR0CXOk8ii7-JMck0esfTL6XAo9RWBs_KfobdZjmVowNDPMCKWreA2dP-BinEo_TAIN41pKnk3_CD2eYQbgshisoHp7Hj93NVAOmOGJPRXo_ZJ4a36Z9w2L3SJMTyR12LBCse1kBhS5/s400/breakfast+interuptus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376513863160926578" border="0" /></a><br />Early in the morning my yard is totally abuzz with all kinds of winged visitors. That is of course until Henery the Coopers Hawk swoops down to see what the breakfast special of the day is. He came down this morning sending all of the quail and doves fleeing in every direction. The finch and sparrows however duck for cover into the ruellia bush. There must have been at least fifty finches and sparrows huddled in the bush this morning when I snapped this shot of Henery licking his beak. I kept trying to move in slowly for a closer shot, but I did not want to send the finches fleeing, as surely one would have been nabbed. As Henery stared down into the bush, you could see the bush trembe and shake. As I tried to position myself for a shot, Henery decided that I was probably more trouble than a little finch breakfast was worth, so he took off.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvtAFa7kJlRXcwnMANCEg-3t2lvbRI46VdwKi-hVCSYYVJEdAaoolixrJoVoEA5vM2ZjhNHVxBf5P9aCrmiKi-QcZfOQPR-kVWn-zHUkrsC2Xww36ZQ0BSjXfxg5OwQg_9g09xD1XoxQB/s1600-h/Finch+Picnic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvtAFa7kJlRXcwnMANCEg-3t2lvbRI46VdwKi-hVCSYYVJEdAaoolixrJoVoEA5vM2ZjhNHVxBf5P9aCrmiKi-QcZfOQPR-kVWn-zHUkrsC2Xww36ZQ0BSjXfxg5OwQg_9g09xD1XoxQB/s400/Finch+Picnic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376513770672583650" border="0" /></a><br /> Under the feeder and over the pond,<br /><br /> we gathered together to sing so long,<br /><br /> to the Agave on which we love to rest.<br /><br /> That brutal snout weevil,<br /> <br /> is one hell of a pest!<br /> <br />That was my little Ode to a sick Agave. A sad occurrence has landed in my yard. My large agave (pictured here) is in critical condition, and may not survive. That horrible agave grub infestation in Mexico that has driven up the Tequila prices, has made its way up here to the outskirts of Tucson. I just lost two Yuccas as well. Some websites say that once the grub gets inside and the leaves start dying, its all over for the plant. Yet when I spoke to a specialist at Mesquite Valley Nursery, he gave me a bit of hope, as he said that after treating the soil there is a chance the Agave will survive. We will just have to wait and see. This pic looks way better normal size so click on it. Thanks for stopping and popping on in.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-57972522387117978432009-08-24T17:46:00.000-07:002009-08-24T18:30:02.593-07:00Toad Lickers Caution<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k234/adogagog/Froggyanim04.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 394px;" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k234/adogagog/Froggyanim03.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This weeks Illustration Friday challenge is "Caution". The poison toad in my last post gave me the idea for this animated illustration. I was wondering what type of hallucinations would go through a Colorado River Toads mind if he gave himself a bath like a cat. Use every ounce of caution you can muster up around these toxic toads.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-77399199930743509092009-08-24T08:10:00.001-07:002009-08-24T08:24:21.597-07:00Toadlicker's Treasure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAkDghZeacodA9xQDxVCda9obxP5KZ_nmgAjmLyWLidWrjsPVvceDjSrmFUr2fi3mfEX0EOXRC3YULA0F-mFdzhYVC6VRDB9zQADsrHyeTuQ_CE0rWhmce6oqOSCRev0EycWV1RrG4tuL/s1600-h/Coloraddy+toad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAkDghZeacodA9xQDxVCda9obxP5KZ_nmgAjmLyWLidWrjsPVvceDjSrmFUr2fi3mfEX0EOXRC3YULA0F-mFdzhYVC6VRDB9zQADsrHyeTuQ_CE0rWhmce6oqOSCRev0EycWV1RrG4tuL/s400/Coloraddy+toad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373548072639679538" border="0" /></a> The folks around here are pretty familiar with this guy. He's a Colorado River Toad. These toads have a toxin in their skin that can be fatal to dogs, or any other animal who tries to make a meal of them. Humans however have been know to lick these toads to reach some psychotropic state. Me, I think I'll pass thanks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD2oVyySL3PjtdkE2DcsgLhvHuIvkYy3Cjg_QnROz7cFIB3rzu3_02iYtPulABa8D87oS2D1uJbKV_USk9irix3OLczck5cS2Bfku_Ywwx-fXyJTsIaZ0nNHKgF3oCHp_MIZAlnpsC7Df/s1600-h/jimson+bloom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD2oVyySL3PjtdkE2DcsgLhvHuIvkYy3Cjg_QnROz7cFIB3rzu3_02iYtPulABa8D87oS2D1uJbKV_USk9irix3OLczck5cS2Bfku_Ywwx-fXyJTsIaZ0nNHKgF3oCHp_MIZAlnpsC7Df/s400/jimson+bloom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373548280690577186" border="0" /></a><br /> Speaking of psychotropic states. I think I heard stories of folks ingesting Jimson Weed for a mind bending experience. I'll pass on that buzz as well. This little patch of Jimson Weed invaded the middle of my yard last year and I cut it way back to nothing last fall. I allowed it to come in again this year, as its blossoms are so beautiful.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-25224581464292510792009-08-24T08:01:00.000-07:002009-08-24T08:08:16.129-07:00Spectacular Sunsets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftonJpmoDxwi4Uj0cX8JPMa8z9yOps790JV2vjGDIl2GrfU6FxcFbnp1Eytdn88VTyaJSzbvts2qmLu0qoH1Xms0AxPhO_gWwHCmIf3k-6efxafnXWlJzMajHludwhyphenhyphenyFDM1ylF7z8teP/s1600-h/sunsetaug04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftonJpmoDxwi4Uj0cX8JPMa8z9yOps790JV2vjGDIl2GrfU6FxcFbnp1Eytdn88VTyaJSzbvts2qmLu0qoH1Xms0AxPhO_gWwHCmIf3k-6efxafnXWlJzMajHludwhyphenhyphenyFDM1ylF7z8teP/s400/sunsetaug04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373546190531860386" border="0" /></a><br /> Monsoon season is definitely my favorite time of year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgEBgmfksTCUulqb-iawPVlRwZ_w14de4e_5-_keWJoAXtGs7q9bqWzTi4LnH0URcKS845gn2aP1Qt67LciCQSBKNx1GqVnlK_g5jLUgbyOMtsh3pRtgB7zIUqd2yxMV1gXjO68iZFJOF/s1600-h/sunsetaug03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgEBgmfksTCUulqb-iawPVlRwZ_w14de4e_5-_keWJoAXtGs7q9bqWzTi4LnH0URcKS845gn2aP1Qt67LciCQSBKNx1GqVnlK_g5jLUgbyOMtsh3pRtgB7zIUqd2yxMV1gXjO68iZFJOF/s400/sunsetaug03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373546184753097794" border="0" /></a><br /> The thirsty desert drinks in the rainfall...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gp3vSUdSzv4mSitR0wCtOo5R6nE3exdhXAGxG6JE4j7_cZaHEX5XiEBZLzWA1Bfxf35dvqOkFAS5X0JwTrHcY39DP29Ex_kpGwkfM_RiImW2YQIbVa0Yg7FWYxKnP6LwrRmqejqyQaAt/s1600-h/sunsetaug02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gp3vSUdSzv4mSitR0wCtOo5R6nE3exdhXAGxG6JE4j7_cZaHEX5XiEBZLzWA1Bfxf35dvqOkFAS5X0JwTrHcY39DP29Ex_kpGwkfM_RiImW2YQIbVa0Yg7FWYxKnP6LwrRmqejqyQaAt/s400/sunsetaug02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373546169424082834" border="0" /></a><br /> and I drink in the beauty of the multi-colored skyscapes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYhHwYbs540DDvMMCX0g5mkRuWAmJ2oA42AhxWE6qT9Al1icpNE5FbgfAtUS1HFTQEZfTbltuEZ2ErUQ3gg1bEJTHPK1hxzn_sOxWQwHwpC-7ST_hMVGczsatHsP9SCOsSE7ukDHljDuj/s1600-h/sunsetaug01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYhHwYbs540DDvMMCX0g5mkRuWAmJ2oA42AhxWE6qT9Al1icpNE5FbgfAtUS1HFTQEZfTbltuEZ2ErUQ3gg1bEJTHPK1hxzn_sOxWQwHwpC-7ST_hMVGczsatHsP9SCOsSE7ukDHljDuj/s400/sunsetaug01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373546166936429730" border="0" /></a><br /> Enjoy.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-52266552205353959142009-08-08T21:29:00.001-07:002009-08-08T22:32:53.458-07:00Summer Roundup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ5uYOOYb29eiwk_RGwrKktS1ysbYAz0s7ole-0-M_pjFXyggcj8WmFqmkIXtEeKONuhUPm1XW5kT-QfpvAYXZYZouwMGcET4zytqd5NgHeu9RCGOIKAi_6jjaU0bDowSM-jCBVhrr95J/s1600-h/daylilly_jp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ5uYOOYb29eiwk_RGwrKktS1ysbYAz0s7ole-0-M_pjFXyggcj8WmFqmkIXtEeKONuhUPm1XW5kT-QfpvAYXZYZouwMGcET4zytqd5NgHeu9RCGOIKAi_6jjaU0bDowSM-jCBVhrr95J/s400/daylilly_jp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367818922985748450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(192, 192, 192);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> Well, looking back on my last post date, it appears that this blog has been become rather stale from sitting on the back burner for so long. I’ve had my hands full of all kinds of stuff. I figured I’ll jump back in and post a bit of a summer roundup. I dug through the shots I took over the last couple of months and picked out a handful to share.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> This place got pretty wild earlier this season. A friend of mine was walking her dog across the wash behind my yard when they were attacked by a small pack of Javalina’s. My friend escaped unscathed, but her dog succumbed to an infection from a puncture wound. The dog was given antibiotics, yet he still sadly passed. It was a sad note for starting off the summer. Then one late afternoon I was sitting out on the patio when I saw a Bobcat mosey on by right on the other side of the fence. I t would have been awesome to have had my camera with me at the time. The cat later decided to prowl about in a neighbor’s yard who managed to get some shots of the varmint before he disappeared. A few days later I gazed over towards the golf course and some big critter caught the corner of my eye. At first glance I knew it was too large to be a dog. At second glance the next critter that came to mind was “moose” (flashbacks from life in Alaska, I guess). Then after getting my eyeballs targeted in I realized I was watching a family of deer out on the green. I think they wanted to play through.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> I bought a couple of bird feeders, and have been tossing out seed every morning around the crack of dawn. Now the word seems to have gotten out to every bird in the</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> valley that breakfast is getting served up here daily. Mornings now remind me of a few of the scenes from Alfred Hitchcocks “The Birds”. It’s pretty much been the usual cast of characters, and the baby Quail chicks are as darling as ever. I think Henery found a spouse. She parked out on the wall long enough for me to get a shot. I call her “The Bride of Henery”. I’ve also been getting more frequent visits from an Oriole. Any how I hope you enjoy your visit and some of the pics. Click on the deer shots if you want to see their larger version</span></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:100%;" >.</span></span> </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0uoqKTwIxCL5cofmjVAoeEn5q1msAuEgXMnwwPPxckADO2QSmkd-dH3aGMCNMLCRjOctn1C1A3vmvMhyphenhyphenSHDWoCa2d36KsDoPxaPyRFAyWDzSve8hW_pgHI5PNKdvZXLnGY0Vc1kw_oo5/s1600-h/yellow++black+bird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0uoqKTwIxCL5cofmjVAoeEn5q1msAuEgXMnwwPPxckADO2QSmkd-dH3aGMCNMLCRjOctn1C1A3vmvMhyphenhyphenSHDWoCa2d36KsDoPxaPyRFAyWDzSve8hW_pgHI5PNKdvZXLnGY0Vc1kw_oo5/s400/yellow++black+bird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817874034993298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the Altamira Oriole stopping in at the waterfall.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNnbjP085mtc5syUeb7M9KMxWoUeDFx7C281Np37F1wytAY52un96IKWvoGCxtxjDaRbzyXjXUXwbKV9qkoJTUC4JfSDIN-Oj3iSBjv7FkxVVUjHjISChzzVShvYZMNmJ54QI4eKksplw/s1600-h/female+orial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNnbjP085mtc5syUeb7M9KMxWoUeDFx7C281Np37F1wytAY52un96IKWvoGCxtxjDaRbzyXjXUXwbKV9qkoJTUC4JfSDIN-Oj3iSBjv7FkxVVUjHjISChzzVShvYZMNmJ54QI4eKksplw/s400/female+orial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817778996178802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">I did some poking around, but I could not identify this bird who explored my patio. I'm wondering if it is some sort of Flycatcher.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_outppH32ngvkqX6mfu-Iz8pImghuvpBGaDXH8WVWS12MZ8lHvO-PfmikxnzmJYeTIurmnbuCiUW7P_V5_N2pfG06QjNSbPo_gwLZ8aHf970O83JoBRmtbiz_zhBC2-RB5zlhkHma-7IZ/s1600-h/Oh+dear+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_outppH32ngvkqX6mfu-Iz8pImghuvpBGaDXH8WVWS12MZ8lHvO-PfmikxnzmJYeTIurmnbuCiUW7P_V5_N2pfG06QjNSbPo_gwLZ8aHf970O83JoBRmtbiz_zhBC2-RB5zlhkHma-7IZ/s400/Oh+dear+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817646246715442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Oh Deer!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEykdI3_i0tLSxtr4U8JRDg7EuZHJPjg0MD1h7tXmCx-HVlYqL4hax142L1MrrnVHPLSyNX-ji3V9FG7veE1hHSnFhfqqpcFx5_Y0t5ESsUax7-_IoKJG5zYmYYIFm_kOJk-FWp9yOTbH1/s1600-h/Oh+dear+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEykdI3_i0tLSxtr4U8JRDg7EuZHJPjg0MD1h7tXmCx-HVlYqL4hax142L1MrrnVHPLSyNX-ji3V9FG7veE1hHSnFhfqqpcFx5_Y0t5ESsUax7-_IoKJG5zYmYYIFm_kOJk-FWp9yOTbH1/s400/Oh+dear+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817577386574130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> More Deer!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_lVjfm0z0PNv7KNC6ZGPpM5BKwO5vfNHEyZAn9VSeNcR4YMoxH5xhYEoqzFSb0MV9CDv8I1FTq0fiVyztnEKU3xa2XHMfbFf20gWBtD02pvcu61qPmJPh9Kv_RGC5Vs9OQslBxxRQJrO/s1600-h/Oh+dear+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_lVjfm0z0PNv7KNC6ZGPpM5BKwO5vfNHEyZAn9VSeNcR4YMoxH5xhYEoqzFSb0MV9CDv8I1FTq0fiVyztnEKU3xa2XHMfbFf20gWBtD02pvcu61qPmJPh9Kv_RGC5Vs9OQslBxxRQJrO/s400/Oh+dear+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817507086074482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Even more Deer!</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN2S4-SXUCwkvCzVO_ePFP_FuHJPTJPxWMXqcLEeTQ5T3M2koTuOAc4FoV7hoJ1o9IOZP-brGVEDfAbpQtMcWy2HfkgLsS0Wz8Y5_lRZCoV5NgCZN0hKbbdBbwl-fAZ5RtlNsJ6yXmOka/s1600-h/the+Bride+of+Henery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN2S4-SXUCwkvCzVO_ePFP_FuHJPTJPxWMXqcLEeTQ5T3M2koTuOAc4FoV7hoJ1o9IOZP-brGVEDfAbpQtMcWy2HfkgLsS0Wz8Y5_lRZCoV5NgCZN0hKbbdBbwl-fAZ5RtlNsJ6yXmOka/s400/the+Bride+of+Henery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817298175958322" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> I'd like to introduce you to "The Bride of Henery".</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cKsvAdW_5hlLxfBxwPvidLy9VWoLCU2TBvtXS-BYeFB6GqOOeXmgDReM1pdGrhatUjjHZqy-aGXQzoPsCnen52Edd766X1z3nXpOnaboCtONfYuYMspNbbXLgLdKdmeCYCmw-lVbr9zb/s1600-h/thunderhead01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cKsvAdW_5hlLxfBxwPvidLy9VWoLCU2TBvtXS-BYeFB6GqOOeXmgDReM1pdGrhatUjjHZqy-aGXQzoPsCnen52Edd766X1z3nXpOnaboCtONfYuYMspNbbXLgLdKdmeCYCmw-lVbr9zb/s400/thunderhead01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817147071246690" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About a week and a half ago, up popped the tallest thunder head I ever did see.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlpPKDqYaqKX5wn42WRomeyl9As2jTCamoOaPpA0hwDQ8tEaT90ChmnLsYrDD-MKidfHw35gdu-tznsLiFXncCL2OH-KX686HJDjWXQAlwaMeq9BHOuyGwO6jKuH3gwQ8aWT3ZsYsKA_/s1600-h/thunderhead02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhlpPKDqYaqKX5wn42WRomeyl9As2jTCamoOaPpA0hwDQ8tEaT90ChmnLsYrDD-MKidfHw35gdu-tznsLiFXncCL2OH-KX686HJDjWXQAlwaMeq9BHOuyGwO6jKuH3gwQ8aWT3ZsYsKA_/s400/thunderhead02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367817081174803154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Its anvil covered a huge chunk of the sky.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60BoZp8KZILbw8VOrFiCy222Mc3aFNjkfR47-FAOkSubC8s-rx3MfReGcJcuwZx22ftSKNoZYgQKqvCOM_iIEvb_LPrKA_zVSa2Xx43B1NorjjcHrSAcwo4bOrtvZGCkbDLwrYe9VfiYu/s1600-h/stucco+dragonfly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60BoZp8KZILbw8VOrFiCy222Mc3aFNjkfR47-FAOkSubC8s-rx3MfReGcJcuwZx22ftSKNoZYgQKqvCOM_iIEvb_LPrKA_zVSa2Xx43B1NorjjcHrSAcwo4bOrtvZGCkbDLwrYe9VfiYu/s400/stucco+dragonfly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367816890998327170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">A really cool looking Dragonfly was gracious enough to sit still while I got off a nice shot.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSzR_Z43gCFBqg_Dh12ipaHqoawaasXJhZBjP4Kq4MVhm6VuHMKZtcIE-t3iNooNuOfdn-iufosR6wj7dpHLNPrB29F8N_l1OZnQYWzNq7llVyVdQtxLWqlRyI3cKLLTWSbRenAtXPG0U/s1600-h/baby+dove+in+pot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSzR_Z43gCFBqg_Dh12ipaHqoawaasXJhZBjP4Kq4MVhm6VuHMKZtcIE-t3iNooNuOfdn-iufosR6wj7dpHLNPrB29F8N_l1OZnQYWzNq7llVyVdQtxLWqlRyI3cKLLTWSbRenAtXPG0U/s400/baby+dove+in+pot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367816775910898610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">A pair of Morning dove fledglings decided to make my bakers rack their little home away from home. The shelves are not to far underneath their nest, and the pair of youngins decided to spend the better part of the afternoon checking out the backyard from their little balcony. They did not freak out from my presence. In fact they did not even get flustered when I moved a pot a bit closer to one of them so he could chill in its shadow.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtCKqeX1fr349UrF7Oa5a-np0Lzcc6cMIeybN00ensRAemi5Uma2agIUzSvwtSQ-b1-SLrBvW0Cr67jc4fH7HE32e_mUYpd-8_kd4zW0dMgCd-pu00Oqh30yGBLsed9Fg6xOpS28ca3A-/s1600-h/chipmunk_lays_low.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtCKqeX1fr349UrF7Oa5a-np0Lzcc6cMIeybN00ensRAemi5Uma2agIUzSvwtSQ-b1-SLrBvW0Cr67jc4fH7HE32e_mUYpd-8_kd4zW0dMgCd-pu00Oqh30yGBLsed9Fg6xOpS28ca3A-/s400/chipmunk_lays_low.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367816669776705794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">When Henery the Hawk swoops down to see whats on the menu, all of the birds, reptiles, and other critters, either bolt, or freeze. He swung down the other day and this little squirrel hit the deck and froze till he figured the Hawk threat had passed.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E0VMgMMAjfnu7NwfXfx9uATyy-Ie3F5rX0GmDOOoygPP5ensoxonp783bu-SYDOHO-mI6UmXZHZ7u6AaDtp69TnWCqHYSTT9XLhbI3jkDNUyGeinX4LtjMY3mhB2KnetBsj7y6lsHXD5/s1600-h/high+tailing+it.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E0VMgMMAjfnu7NwfXfx9uATyy-Ie3F5rX0GmDOOoygPP5ensoxonp783bu-SYDOHO-mI6UmXZHZ7u6AaDtp69TnWCqHYSTT9XLhbI3jkDNUyGeinX4LtjMY3mhB2KnetBsj7y6lsHXD5/s400/high+tailing+it.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367816572244382002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">When he's not frozen in terror, he can be seen literally "hightailing it" throughout the yard.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Well that's about it for the summer roundup so far. I drew the illustration of the Daylily at the top of this post in honer of the pot full of Lily's blooming outside as we speak.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for popping in!</span></span>Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-16682266718383870842009-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:002009-05-18T21:15:28.764-07:00Faux Falls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX53cW5bPPcIT43Q7REXfnQ1ebCqYap6liW-gI7aCP3i1LR46FDUVDLC7acDyRXUFhaqvjUeYjzinSv9J9MvAzCGLxfZZmBQtGZNlqAqkSEIxQ89vk0u9yoN0Jrnzha_Hn-XzQuBnmNg1q/s1600-h/wood+pecker+on+faux+falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX53cW5bPPcIT43Q7REXfnQ1ebCqYap6liW-gI7aCP3i1LR46FDUVDLC7acDyRXUFhaqvjUeYjzinSv9J9MvAzCGLxfZZmBQtGZNlqAqkSEIxQ89vk0u9yoN0Jrnzha_Hn-XzQuBnmNg1q/s400/wood+pecker+on+faux+falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374376769206402" border="0" /></a><br /> Every now and then I need to completely dry out the pond to clean it out. I worried about cutting off the water supply to all the critters who drink out of it throughout the day. The last time I dried it out I made a couple of small watering holes with garbage bags and gravel. Last week I found this little self contained artificial waterfall at a garage sale, and figured it would be a nice auxiliary water source. It took the doves and quail a little while to try it out, but the finches and woodpeckers adapted instantly. I shoved a bunch of natural rocks up in and around it to make it look more natural for the thirsty visitors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj936oECSi8s8hGcXFgL1f2TTw-YY99HoTKkHzIJghaQb2lyrdWHVIogvUsRERV1fDEdHAlaH8VTDgLu7vOC4kZoGqztkkfQhHZaNP_2EQr61XxqDNfntZWoGOxvypTy6LpzDggO3F0Zv9N/s1600-h/squirrel02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj936oECSi8s8hGcXFgL1f2TTw-YY99HoTKkHzIJghaQb2lyrdWHVIogvUsRERV1fDEdHAlaH8VTDgLu7vOC4kZoGqztkkfQhHZaNP_2EQr61XxqDNfntZWoGOxvypTy6LpzDggO3F0Zv9N/s400/squirrel02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374201447920210" border="0" /></a><br /> When I moved out here I figured I'd traded in all my squirrels for rabbits, but I had a squirrel in my yard a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-YI9HnhUvCwPn_Vv8RMEu0P4tTFnfbW7KFUnuaTwtpMfN3wjIhaiugPWyRrEqCtvMWYO86Gk2jCwrOpJHA4mXUlf8bH3ieqgV11HMwQ4TFlFMUFpNKorpV7vouW5aN7ytgLHvZ4q5BC/s1600-h/fledgling+dove+on+shelf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-YI9HnhUvCwPn_Vv8RMEu0P4tTFnfbW7KFUnuaTwtpMfN3wjIhaiugPWyRrEqCtvMWYO86Gk2jCwrOpJHA4mXUlf8bH3ieqgV11HMwQ4TFlFMUFpNKorpV7vouW5aN7ytgLHvZ4q5BC/s400/fledgling+dove+on+shelf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374054636890162" border="0" /></a><br /> One of the fledglings from the nest above my back patio, took his first decent into the world below today. I was out on the patio getting ready to set something up on my shelf, when I noticed this little guy using the shelf as a launch pad. I didn't spook him because he's kinda used to peering down at me from the nest. I'm happy he sat still long enough to pose.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQPn-QmTAqF-nocNibK4D9zKevlb2hUnhxR8Vb2gGStbm8Lzv_MWc8oPmsrOjJaTArk8tjEWx8tWMEOAhTjlVEI0ZpE2Fcpdg6KWpWat3QXRReS1aGrp1gODqIvsKIUSfwBG4LkDFgOby/s1600-h/Faux+Falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQPn-QmTAqF-nocNibK4D9zKevlb2hUnhxR8Vb2gGStbm8Lzv_MWc8oPmsrOjJaTArk8tjEWx8tWMEOAhTjlVEI0ZpE2Fcpdg6KWpWat3QXRReS1aGrp1gODqIvsKIUSfwBG4LkDFgOby/s400/Faux+Falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337373966362081762" border="0" /></a><br /> Here is a shot of a Quail sitting atop the faux falls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsnjGaSTgpvNtSoT_EFL4pl6b5rQA4OLiGgo-tecGF5NPBGfTEO_uYsjEh3OLGdvzEUrXM-4flTzPuSEdBS1QTcpxeYtnymzWZ38G9DFpX3pwNCtgYfN6Rrff4BuyJZTNNDNiFFt7zuBB/s1600-h/coachwhiponce.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsnjGaSTgpvNtSoT_EFL4pl6b5rQA4OLiGgo-tecGF5NPBGfTEO_uYsjEh3OLGdvzEUrXM-4flTzPuSEdBS1QTcpxeYtnymzWZ38G9DFpX3pwNCtgYfN6Rrff4BuyJZTNNDNiFFt7zuBB/s400/coachwhiponce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337373790733454258" border="0" /></a> This is the second time I've spotted a Coachwhip in my yard. These have the most beautiful coral colored scales. Their body is mostly a combination of black pink and white, while their heads are mostly black. I was able to get a shot of the same species year before last. He was about twice the size of the one posted above. I posted a shot of him over <a href="http://onceuponadolphin.blogspot.com/2007/08/coachwhip.html">here</a>. Although they are not venomous, you don't really want to tangle with these. From what I hear they can be quite aggressive when trying to defend themselves. They are extremely swift, hence the name "Coachwhip". Oh yeah, also I posted a larger version of this image, just click on the picture for the larger version. Thanks for visiting.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-64206275720398487222009-04-29T08:52:00.001-07:002009-04-29T09:02:27.065-07:00Let Me In!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y5HSxY-gmvnJjQfur8ofLuekR0nrSnnLmbEkvssFlgqAoFZomd0_NNhyEJg-uYvDIQqnn61Noz2Ur7HkC60gEVyBBAiAtvFI9SHmpu4B-4NyIRCaBrFBexRmSwl15Doz4-CAUKsZDi15/s1600-h/let+me+in.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y5HSxY-gmvnJjQfur8ofLuekR0nrSnnLmbEkvssFlgqAoFZomd0_NNhyEJg-uYvDIQqnn61Noz2Ur7HkC60gEVyBBAiAtvFI9SHmpu4B-4NyIRCaBrFBexRmSwl15Doz4-CAUKsZDi15/s400/let+me+in.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330142626037636242" border="0" /></a><br /> I was just fixen myself a cup of coffee when I heard a rapping on my window. I think this guy was checking up on me to make sure I was brewing <a href="http://www.coffeehabitat.com/2006/02/what_is_shade_g.html">"shade grown coffee"</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdFn0_07RBdnOJlkAi4fh5afmjLWjh_IrXTW8JWd4z5KsGmWRhmpEQzed-oMyUB-Vpqi-tnyETJ51MmlZxV5j3GOTkWS1vUoVe8A0WZCDoT0f08kMPVT_Kvxy7rkx1CGrFA-qnhyiTroE/s1600-h/let+me+in+bunny.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdFn0_07RBdnOJlkAi4fh5afmjLWjh_IrXTW8JWd4z5KsGmWRhmpEQzed-oMyUB-Vpqi-tnyETJ51MmlZxV5j3GOTkWS1vUoVe8A0WZCDoT0f08kMPVT_Kvxy7rkx1CGrFA-qnhyiTroE/s400/let+me+in+bunny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330142531388130098" border="0" /></a><br /> This little guy decided to knock as well. The batteries on my camera had gotten low, so I missed the shot when he was up scratching on the window trying to get in. Silly wabbit!Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-68056684783580919512009-04-24T12:41:00.000-07:002009-04-24T13:09:19.616-07:00April Roundup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgD3AcNmQKieybyPXOpym_Gbzwom4fiPRzLszVe6wkzdwKSuICFoTes5D3mMstYVC171EAxdmY33Vc8oMJXA6l4MVQ5VengTS_ZYRnCr8iT-PcK83qrxMPywnYozpNUdGDT4jUNwLXe89/s1600-h/april_Baby+Mantis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgD3AcNmQKieybyPXOpym_Gbzwom4fiPRzLszVe6wkzdwKSuICFoTes5D3mMstYVC171EAxdmY33Vc8oMJXA6l4MVQ5VengTS_ZYRnCr8iT-PcK83qrxMPywnYozpNUdGDT4jUNwLXe89/s400/april_Baby+Mantis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328347205787980834" border="0" /></a><br /> Whew! Its been a long time since I've posted anything here. I've gotten pretty far behind. I've been deeply steeped in left brained endeavors, and up to my eyeballs in javascript and css. Not only has my blog been neglected, but I have not had enough time to pay a visit to all of my other favorite nature blogs. Perhaps this weekend. <br /> I uploaded a bunch of shots taken around the yard in the last couple of weeks. This morning I looked up on my plant shelf and spotted a dozen dinky freshly hatched Praying Mantis's. These guys are only about the size of a sunflower seed.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhrZ63SXfDWpq9VKLGhRSyaj6v0zqBYG4iPCcpPJyY8OtqSBlIddhRrypzTVydLg24aH6gfZmt2_vAmkRtFgak2w0bB9fXHh9EgFxu5MWJSPhPpTpyu6wm7l_ILc9uUzqXgMaoL0KS2ui/s1600-h/april_Mantis+Brood.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhrZ63SXfDWpq9VKLGhRSyaj6v0zqBYG4iPCcpPJyY8OtqSBlIddhRrypzTVydLg24aH6gfZmt2_vAmkRtFgak2w0bB9fXHh9EgFxu5MWJSPhPpTpyu6wm7l_ILc9uUzqXgMaoL0KS2ui/s400/april_Mantis+Brood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328347201662178034" border="0" /></a><br /> I wonder how long they will make it before the tweets catch on to them and have them for lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMJMnTXUuGglJO6oW2bGhdU4nLbB5qqfJBJ82AkQVx0xQz5u6eIFDBlZd_EB3TkeB1jeZ5x6HdG1_P4wwGBNogk6UTqWsgZ1EWnwFjs5MGznEZ08wGefvvI4_I7G6VOtZ1W8uPp6RAYAo/s1600-h/april_Goldfinch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMJMnTXUuGglJO6oW2bGhdU4nLbB5qqfJBJ82AkQVx0xQz5u6eIFDBlZd_EB3TkeB1jeZ5x6HdG1_P4wwGBNogk6UTqWsgZ1EWnwFjs5MGznEZ08wGefvvI4_I7G6VOtZ1W8uPp6RAYAo/s400/april_Goldfinch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328347199714190178" border="0" /></a><br /> In an earlier post, I mentioned leaving the old dead honeysuckle wood up in tact for the little visitors. These Finches seem to be pleased with the decision.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYar6tUGO3beNe6GxnGe8uv2TdtKcf8G_NYQPZACXCf7FoZzgoG0DEGYbo6MBnkpLOCq1xFCSeTvbGKPQ3GIWP8WITzF-zWmJx4B9z7lpmjxiHpjlqL677vx83mi-aloo4x2VXiwRBW0n/s1600-h/april_lilly+bud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYar6tUGO3beNe6GxnGe8uv2TdtKcf8G_NYQPZACXCf7FoZzgoG0DEGYbo6MBnkpLOCq1xFCSeTvbGKPQ3GIWP8WITzF-zWmJx4B9z7lpmjxiHpjlqL677vx83mi-aloo4x2VXiwRBW0n/s400/april_lilly+bud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346824558644130" border="0" /></a><br /> A handful of my Lilly's have bloomed. This is a shot of a bud fixing to unfurl.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVSylIp6tEHS-goZK-2kqumOr2QGKdyvQN6pBJZqI0xcGJJj0IoTjXIYEdv3ORfUdlqR7R75qVdunu2wck9uIK8bnVHwahuJbWk7ywiDwRfowVaE7nS3dbGj9XEU3TVkSEIKz3REOJx_W/s1600-h/april_lilly's.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVSylIp6tEHS-goZK-2kqumOr2QGKdyvQN6pBJZqI0xcGJJj0IoTjXIYEdv3ORfUdlqR7R75qVdunu2wck9uIK8bnVHwahuJbWk7ywiDwRfowVaE7nS3dbGj9XEU3TVkSEIKz3REOJx_W/s400/april_lilly's.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346821903006802" border="0" /></a><br /> Here is a pair of Lilly's that have bloomed already.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyXbAk7hHsotD_bv9tLa19H4xG-DsuHaY5RiC4dQW5RqDDApoWBk_DKmQ4UwwEI8E15gf_o59I0v9Ulgk-tPs53ETC8aj8SqHpZvtjpQ5IYczbHnmwTbxSwtsBufg0vMd6GR6PHNtASgO/s1600-h/april_mexican+primrose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyXbAk7hHsotD_bv9tLa19H4xG-DsuHaY5RiC4dQW5RqDDApoWBk_DKmQ4UwwEI8E15gf_o59I0v9Ulgk-tPs53ETC8aj8SqHpZvtjpQ5IYczbHnmwTbxSwtsBufg0vMd6GR6PHNtASgO/s400/april_mexican+primrose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346823480451490" border="0" /></a><br /> The Mexican Primroses are in full bloom to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_a71IunvsdHgWBrHFsY8mwIKC4yjbN6FrEsfSpMO6LpbdmmDU8InMC1vQLA_tuqwrWjLna2ukol8E-CeWS2fx0U29MDlUrp0cFgbj0hqiWH1HQ1NyUvSdkxpQjfRLDMoNfv0eECLiYi_/s1600-h/april_Dinner+Plate+Opuntia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_a71IunvsdHgWBrHFsY8mwIKC4yjbN6FrEsfSpMO6LpbdmmDU8InMC1vQLA_tuqwrWjLna2ukol8E-CeWS2fx0U29MDlUrp0cFgbj0hqiWH1HQ1NyUvSdkxpQjfRLDMoNfv0eECLiYi_/s400/april_Dinner+Plate+Opuntia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346819549693458" border="0" /></a><br /> This is my favorite Opuntia. They call it a "Dinner Plate Opuntia". Makes sense, as the pads are so big and nearly perfectly round.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo5xevtoxhicpuUVOQeUhz1QGYVS-_l4Kekb1R1sa4t4x8NDGa9-6ZneqV08eDsP8k-xKMoRm4_PInLi4YA0BzuazzBmGMOGsx064nfP_dpGX4gWgb1o4ZQNbMpRcQr_DU7OC0cAFK1Mh/s1600-h/april_Opuntia+Blossom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo5xevtoxhicpuUVOQeUhz1QGYVS-_l4Kekb1R1sa4t4x8NDGa9-6ZneqV08eDsP8k-xKMoRm4_PInLi4YA0BzuazzBmGMOGsx064nfP_dpGX4gWgb1o4ZQNbMpRcQr_DU7OC0cAFK1Mh/s400/april_Opuntia+Blossom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346817100469378" border="0" /></a><br /> Here is a close up of the Opuntia's blossom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTRewaDPWcuQpQnExTB0APPAo3CkCNUC0yORpbpukuzc_5za8ivTlm6nFFBsT66pJcmAmAR9_-SV3rgK911dRLLYxJhRPEdc-YcqwHTU8gKAtOh5U53mizDKAMrd7xQrKKCq2fmhbGqOa/s1600-h/april_Unknown+bird+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTRewaDPWcuQpQnExTB0APPAo3CkCNUC0yORpbpukuzc_5za8ivTlm6nFFBsT66pJcmAmAR9_-SV3rgK911dRLLYxJhRPEdc-YcqwHTU8gKAtOh5U53mizDKAMrd7xQrKKCq2fmhbGqOa/s400/april_Unknown+bird+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346422891652098" border="0" /></a><br /> I'm not certain what species this bird is. Its not a real common visitor to my yard.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0iCOY9M1mGGnBH9pqDpcEc0YL2Tqgg1k6g8PzZmGsxA83ZB2AHKd1sHq16Ttz5bglq0TrMRzrZHmvVHUn_5kI9VGluvIkHdXBiPZeL-OdXHxBjt1b5VAy1EeI7RO7OvV4AfBhWL6aLC/s1600-h/april_unknown+bird+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju0iCOY9M1mGGnBH9pqDpcEc0YL2Tqgg1k6g8PzZmGsxA83ZB2AHKd1sHq16Ttz5bglq0TrMRzrZHmvVHUn_5kI9VGluvIkHdXBiPZeL-OdXHxBjt1b5VAy1EeI7RO7OvV4AfBhWL6aLC/s400/april_unknown+bird+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346420067064466" border="0" /></a><br /> Here he is getting ready for a sip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf_7511wRQqnoEP0Gaa98JDe9fXXE6j4TxJa0djT6GCokbblyorKhPJrkDNJUevUHwMNDMoKy5aw6YtlZG7PhyxG-ZQluqFU6cualo2ZG_gIShRFEmw3uVTXclPLJWx2vmo3Y8U7g4EXV/s1600-h/Vermillion+fltcatcher+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf_7511wRQqnoEP0Gaa98JDe9fXXE6j4TxJa0djT6GCokbblyorKhPJrkDNJUevUHwMNDMoKy5aw6YtlZG7PhyxG-ZQluqFU6cualo2ZG_gIShRFEmw3uVTXclPLJWx2vmo3Y8U7g4EXV/s400/Vermillion+fltcatcher+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328346421448399218" border="0" /></a><br /> I sure wish this shot came out a bit better, but then again I'm happy to have it at all. I believe its a Vermilion Flycatcher. I was able to get a shot of one way back when I started my blog. I think it was in my very first post. <br /> As always thank you for your visit.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-26153476963218887872009-04-09T07:07:00.000-07:002009-04-09T07:31:48.229-07:00Oregon Blooms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd84uVBBZ3aZ4VLyb9Dl6Lw5T6LfCw6j3mQdT1BOy2AVlFFQ5GxDbjpZ8dRKkS8hsxVei7EWMcrvFsrW_cfA-5fETLn-tukb4O7OXutJMxr5ZMqjaqv5khzsdpLXRZkJRjPWW0QgqWaASC/s1600-h/gifs+daffs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd84uVBBZ3aZ4VLyb9Dl6Lw5T6LfCw6j3mQdT1BOy2AVlFFQ5GxDbjpZ8dRKkS8hsxVei7EWMcrvFsrW_cfA-5fETLn-tukb4O7OXutJMxr5ZMqjaqv5khzsdpLXRZkJRjPWW0QgqWaASC/s400/gifs+daffs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322693725640326402" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I took a trip up to Oregon to visit with the kin folk and celebrate my mom's birthday. We all stayed at my sisters house in Grants Pass. That area is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. I decided to snap off some shots of some of the local color. I lived in Oregon a few years back, and despite its beauty, I decided to migrate down to the Sonoran desert. I guess I've grown hopelessly addicted to sunshine. That is of course until monsoon season rolls in when I become enamored with the breathtaking skyscapes.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnCRh4-PzIkvymQhMbwHLiCyJwlNey6OXvJrjA8JB2m8UjkgI_mKRO7yHrUqr_fNyZuchMukvzI-IsamyQ9NV7v2GH9q3gHAyTU7FwzNwmkFocFhSNpWFoQlNpIahPJICmbC9RithJSm5/s1600-h/gifs+plums.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnCRh4-PzIkvymQhMbwHLiCyJwlNey6OXvJrjA8JB2m8UjkgI_mKRO7yHrUqr_fNyZuchMukvzI-IsamyQ9NV7v2GH9q3gHAyTU7FwzNwmkFocFhSNpWFoQlNpIahPJICmbC9RithJSm5/s400/gifs+plums.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322693500117439762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Grants Pass was spectacular with all of the Cherries and Plums abloom. I decided to post a larger version of the plum blossoms. If you click on the picture above you can see the larger version.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NSil3c3UOtBra-tff1txBg7kM4Rb5l9xBHw78tjNPzFAW6zgv9O8G1B9ABT5ID_JW3jE_JUfquTrLEFQJeLUEzfpnnCT1IohEHXnzpVoNDdvs0FSzW54sm6zsDXwMgmFMsv-ulfAfiyp/s1600-h/gifs+pinks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NSil3c3UOtBra-tff1txBg7kM4Rb5l9xBHw78tjNPzFAW6zgv9O8G1B9ABT5ID_JW3jE_JUfquTrLEFQJeLUEzfpnnCT1IohEHXnzpVoNDdvs0FSzW54sm6zsDXwMgmFMsv-ulfAfiyp/s400/gifs+pinks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322693499333842386" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not really sure what type of wild flower this is that was growing in my Sisters yard. It certainly has a feminine look to it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW3WkFCB4-AOX0Dan6N9mLhNKDkVd-UEy95ugN1OyBCgTU_EZhTbUExhnynVUdY_j8y_QtlvyTs9ybduBvofnYboRQBGUHK6CxmFQnKwwmoSHPDFiRmXfZZGDY8kiebVX0cvLAM48K04H/s1600-h/gifs+air.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW3WkFCB4-AOX0Dan6N9mLhNKDkVd-UEy95ugN1OyBCgTU_EZhTbUExhnynVUdY_j8y_QtlvyTs9ybduBvofnYboRQBGUHK6CxmFQnKwwmoSHPDFiRmXfZZGDY8kiebVX0cvLAM48K04H/s400/gifs+air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322693496576279426" border="0" /></a><br />Now I know times are getting tough, but I guess in Grants Pass they actually have to give away the air in order to sell tires. It was a lovely visit, yet I'm happy to be back down in the sunshine.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-83872560729517284652009-03-30T08:02:00.000-07:002009-03-30T08:18:19.432-07:00Morning Dove Momma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67MNQtCM1c1lZCagwrZngHWpbyEs7wPantnPu2F9u8IhyLillDdbT1QNgGZj3mA2H2LTIUSOM20pzFMVeN5-vtAdKsHlWzuo0Q4LZB3CXB1ywmhYbA9h4YHUehmmYbwzrajRZcU5nKj9o/s1600-h/momma+dove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67MNQtCM1c1lZCagwrZngHWpbyEs7wPantnPu2F9u8IhyLillDdbT1QNgGZj3mA2H2LTIUSOM20pzFMVeN5-vtAdKsHlWzuo0Q4LZB3CXB1ywmhYbA9h4YHUehmmYbwzrajRZcU5nKj9o/s400/momma+dove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318996387841543250" border="0" /></a><br /> My how they grow up so fast. This dove has decided to raise her family in the rafters of my front porch. I also have a nest up in the back patio. I just discovered these chicks a couple of days ago, and decided to snap this shot this morning. There was a mother dove camped out here last year who raised a handful of youngins. I think she perished in the talons of the Coopers Hawk. She left behind an orphan that had just matured enough to fend for herself. I called her Annie. Annie was the only dove who did not mind my presence too awfully bad. As all of the other doves bolted off when I went outside, Annie had a hard time figuring out what all the fuss was about. I wrote about Annie last summer after she collided with one of my windows. I gave her bread and water for a couple of days while she recovered under the Honeysuckle. She used to be quite the loner, but now I believe she has found a mate. I cant help but wonder if this sweet momma is Annie.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-7459885828508202332009-03-29T08:57:00.000-07:002009-03-29T09:16:06.088-07:00Poor Wabbit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlutlWjle4t3BQrby-ha0HfMLlEdjIr875_T7vJxuBKAkJ_4Ue_mcwiSkxhI8Jcr7GWyqUD4usvCKwE_Rx2EMBHyvX4aUGDv50uoxPo_M8ihB9khYNp3PsidzhlaJYHZTjYXyAYh2H-7X/s1600-h/bunny+sick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlutlWjle4t3BQrby-ha0HfMLlEdjIr875_T7vJxuBKAkJ_4Ue_mcwiSkxhI8Jcr7GWyqUD4usvCKwE_Rx2EMBHyvX4aUGDv50uoxPo_M8ihB9khYNp3PsidzhlaJYHZTjYXyAYh2H-7X/s400/bunny+sick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318640041906321698" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday was a bad day to be a baby Bunny. I saw this adorable critter lounging in the sun in my backyard. As I approached him he did not flee. Come to find out he was quite ill and had difficulty walking. I put him in a box and gave him some water, yet a few hours later he passed on over into the meadows of the afterlife. Bye bye baby bunny.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZaLaaHSSFRdGnzRiRK4FpmCc2l3dgCSkKlwCqctbR311Y_q75aASrPC7Wb36sEvMfClAhb5KDtL4DY1M2YfuGYYu0PBRd81PIRTStDQSRhFJpwESa-LMeMyVIgzeXYogQVCk3zWYK7_g/s1600-h/yellow+bird+of+paradise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZaLaaHSSFRdGnzRiRK4FpmCc2l3dgCSkKlwCqctbR311Y_q75aASrPC7Wb36sEvMfClAhb5KDtL4DY1M2YfuGYYu0PBRd81PIRTStDQSRhFJpwESa-LMeMyVIgzeXYogQVCk3zWYK7_g/s400/yellow+bird+of+paradise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318640041596324818" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of my all time favorite flowers. Around here they call it a "Yellow Bird of Paradise". I wrote about the fight I had with its fuzz in a previous post.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCG-pJO8BfLmCCASAqwt5wg4pPerTknlXz0hpFnvitIuUUlK3B8ySR5sXVx73S6e_M-6_wRb9tERJqXXLojbfhoA5vZentj6GSaCIhP732q-pescH8CLTxdkX8ylV5Y5uV0qeZt3kWF0a/s1600-h/yellow+bird+bud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCG-pJO8BfLmCCASAqwt5wg4pPerTknlXz0hpFnvitIuUUlK3B8ySR5sXVx73S6e_M-6_wRb9tERJqXXLojbfhoA5vZentj6GSaCIhP732q-pescH8CLTxdkX8ylV5Y5uV0qeZt3kWF0a/s400/yellow+bird+bud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318640039358978066" border="0" /></a><br />This is a close up of one of the buds bursting out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j5XG-7DJ1GuXC-MpzzSMw7WWUc1VOKZ8ceZoPtPoMIHYKTdVc8egwB1cerMDeBtna0r9mu1fviHbCUNrZX3Sd-ohykAOG_FCjU9vK-U0C8KmnCrOywgBYJFT8Ynm_XaS23ajZ5proSuY/s1600-h/yellow+weed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4j5XG-7DJ1GuXC-MpzzSMw7WWUc1VOKZ8ceZoPtPoMIHYKTdVc8egwB1cerMDeBtna0r9mu1fviHbCUNrZX3Sd-ohykAOG_FCjU9vK-U0C8KmnCrOywgBYJFT8Ynm_XaS23ajZ5proSuY/s400/yellow+weed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318640038538699330" border="0" /></a><br />Everything is turning yellow around here. I'm not sure the name of this flower. It was a weed I nurtured. Between this guy, the Desert Marigolds, and the Yellow Birds of Paradise, I now have a palette of plenty of purples and yellows. All the red and Orange blossoms will be popping out a little later this spring. Thanks for visiting my blog.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-25083993397355708922009-03-15T09:34:00.000-07:002009-03-15T10:22:05.018-07:00Skywatch Friday: Desperately Seeking Shade<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CZf97W1BoYseMgUG0LtnMX7aMKIgDP84RKicw5Lfn2dVEzXCyNFjjXyrTzAesOuvn47tlx_UPkb76M66d_dr81QDX1nOSQNcOAT_sO_40uhPGCPmPzf2T3Ioj4HimAtraxExGHpSI-91/s1600-h/Lowfat+Buttermilk+sky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CZf97W1BoYseMgUG0LtnMX7aMKIgDP84RKicw5Lfn2dVEzXCyNFjjXyrTzAesOuvn47tlx_UPkb76M66d_dr81QDX1nOSQNcOAT_sO_40uhPGCPmPzf2T3Ioj4HimAtraxExGHpSI-91/s400/Lowfat+Buttermilk+sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313458527445051058" border="0" /></a><br />I just discovered <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">"Skywatch</a><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/"> Friday".</a> I have been following a very entertaining trail of nature and photo blogs in the early mornings before the crack of dawn. I'm a big fan of backyard naturalists, and nature lovers in general. I love sneaking in enough time to visit a few of these sites as often as possible. I used to be a pretty regular participant in "Illustration Friday", yet these days I've had a little too much on my plate to post on a regular basis. However it is really interesting finding little connections along the way. As I navigate around nature blogs, I'll find a blogger who's site I've visited many times through "Illustration Friday". The then after doing some poking around in a new site I discovered called "Skywatch "Friday", I found a bunch of posters from my list of nature blogs and favorite Illo Fri blogs. What a small world eh? I'm enjoying this, but I highly doubt I'll ever twitter. So I decided to jump on the old bandwagon and submit a few shots for "Skywatch Friday", which is a great blog showcasing hundreds of posts each week of beautiful sky's across our globe. The shot above looks like a Mackerel Sky, or a Buttermilk sky. Perhaps its just a low fat Buttermilk sky. The shot below is of a deluge From last Autumn. I'm so anxious for the Monsoon season to get underway again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4g_OYka-l4FJF4U3p_lG4yiijT6maa_5l9P89TVLt7HYo4F_Ylpn2HmyqiQBDtsHjMs8KWCO7ccbKHNcwqnpuTZMWaN7HRoKVFeSEtJTeLvZqnAWXv7Ebj28E78lbDIVRjneqWyGVYjJ/s1600-h/monsoon+to+the+west.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4g_OYka-l4FJF4U3p_lG4yiijT6maa_5l9P89TVLt7HYo4F_Ylpn2HmyqiQBDtsHjMs8KWCO7ccbKHNcwqnpuTZMWaN7HRoKVFeSEtJTeLvZqnAWXv7Ebj28E78lbDIVRjneqWyGVYjJ/s400/monsoon+to+the+west.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313458367751895618" border="0" /></a><br />Today I discovered the value of "Shade Grown Coffee". In a article from a blog I visited this morning. I guess they have developed a new strain of coffee that is not dependent on shade to thrive. The shade trees used for growing coffee, provide a much needed habitat for many species of birds and other wild life. Now they have been destroying the delicate habitat to plow out fields for the new strains of coffee. If you would like to check out the article over at "Birding witn Kenn and Kim" its called <a href="http://birdingwithkennandkim.blogspot.com/2009/03/kenns-totally-caffeinated-adventure.html">"Kens Totally Caffeinated adventure"</a>. At the bottom of the article there is a link to a source of "bird safe coffee". Now if someone asks me how I like my coffee, I may reply by saying...<br />Made in the Shade,<br />Organic and free trade.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-29415151357924854762009-03-11T21:35:00.000-07:002009-03-11T22:18:19.058-07:00Harris Hawk Aloft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBSSJIdabjmR2OW9mh3eqECphoLnfXnbUj5bHtxa8dVt5gRpk_XNCgX5W_IL3-nrk9I3eP42WS7URVggZ6wwGQKavXCP0fuNn0sCtKnbJ5K1DgktxZA1j8tnq8DR71_8Mg37memjnmkdP/s1600-h/hawk+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBSSJIdabjmR2OW9mh3eqECphoLnfXnbUj5bHtxa8dVt5gRpk_XNCgX5W_IL3-nrk9I3eP42WS7URVggZ6wwGQKavXCP0fuNn0sCtKnbJ5K1DgktxZA1j8tnq8DR71_8Mg37memjnmkdP/s400/hawk+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312156227807438802" border="0" /></a><br />Today I made my maiden voyage to the <a href="http://www.desertmuseum.org/">Arizona Sonora Desert Museum</a>. It was a breathtaking stroll through all of the plants, animals, and exhibits. They have a raptor exhibit that is quite exciting and informative. The Museum is supported mostly by a large crew of dedicated volunteers. Shortly after my buddies and I arrived, the scheduled Raptor show was getting underway. Today was Harris Hawk day. The volunteers cast the Raptors to the sky and narrate as the Hawks play out their hunting and social behaviors. One flew down so close to my head that I felt his feathers graze my ear. It was rather exhilarating!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwAH2u8prLRs9lkc3qf-r0Q3MSh2yqcF0Ci-aH-rcrxwU8bl503ew6D_HFuCR8MTHLAuDupLlqa5-ySFu85qiRipoRWAzY7GDfO43C_VjuIruB5NizJfKfqXWsW4WccBIQFXQGy3qJnVO/s1600-h/hawk+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwAH2u8prLRs9lkc3qf-r0Q3MSh2yqcF0Ci-aH-rcrxwU8bl503ew6D_HFuCR8MTHLAuDupLlqa5-ySFu85qiRipoRWAzY7GDfO43C_VjuIruB5NizJfKfqXWsW4WccBIQFXQGy3qJnVO/s400/hawk+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312156125790625794" border="0" /></a><br /> After spending about four hours exploring the museum, I realized that I would be needing to make another trip out that way again soon. There is just too much beauty to take in in only one day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWAtudDmFOnl-1NM2xtSs-q-AJnbhUcNTbjuUPIwhAfdbQgoXN3GLzc7mSj_u0Jemgc8Y0kiXlPDimCQTyTCsKwilEWU-gCcWAg28y9xRXRRbHyMMYYD3kKxzEWAnkHPl4tHMT0915gwB/s1600-h/hawk+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWAtudDmFOnl-1NM2xtSs-q-AJnbhUcNTbjuUPIwhAfdbQgoXN3GLzc7mSj_u0Jemgc8Y0kiXlPDimCQTyTCsKwilEWU-gCcWAg28y9xRXRRbHyMMYYD3kKxzEWAnkHPl4tHMT0915gwB/s400/hawk+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312155965663649874" border="0" /></a><br /> This Hawk takes a low pass. I have a whole bunch of great shots from the Museum, and as soon as I get them processed, I'll post more.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqgDQTA4ed46gZp52MO1hO6gmDH02VW0kiV04WAWsg1IXbofju6bUDGiXBTv_a5ezOhPDVKlEiXDNlcLxvnYlp3LWpWoPh5X0K6fXzcTfPik9VYXqOJdas0sT_oUoAoUFlmE2QA6d3sHS/s1600-h/goldfinch+by+pond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqgDQTA4ed46gZp52MO1hO6gmDH02VW0kiV04WAWsg1IXbofju6bUDGiXBTv_a5ezOhPDVKlEiXDNlcLxvnYlp3LWpWoPh5X0K6fXzcTfPik9VYXqOJdas0sT_oUoAoUFlmE2QA6d3sHS/s400/goldfinch+by+pond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312155803264373826" border="0" /></a><br /> A couple of Goldfinches stopped in for a sip the other day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybxRMCwXVKO6VSeCxKZcp9EyRqGOhVS84FaYiRnn06f4YrrdRIe0WIsGGtWxYExxflPz54fKTKxo7AcyfSPQg4EfSuuBflyaxNUkbr2UPY76dyPBD3eosBdxt8NzvjnMmtm6lVIHgHMq6/s1600-h/cardinal+landing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybxRMCwXVKO6VSeCxKZcp9EyRqGOhVS84FaYiRnn06f4YrrdRIe0WIsGGtWxYExxflPz54fKTKxo7AcyfSPQg4EfSuuBflyaxNUkbr2UPY76dyPBD3eosBdxt8NzvjnMmtm6lVIHgHMq6/s400/cardinal+landing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312155510106717826" border="0" /></a> I was surprised this afternoon when I found this shot of a Cardinal coming in for a landing at the top of the waterfall. <br /> Thanks for visiting, glad you stopped by.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3134335369391409966.post-4675253966781494842009-03-07T06:16:00.000-08:002009-03-11T22:30:23.040-07:00Purple and Green Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YK9cRNLPsppCMSJ8RJdYcO-xJy40k_5ES05OWd-inq6NkRWVf3F6m7YvpToYsamTWJp5vhlE0S4nc6hCVzU-PdZNJT_eot_XkIOfdD1ixSufkPv2JFAb7XKZpKLKw4gS_yUByPI22PH5/s1600-h/yellow+bird+red+fuzz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YK9cRNLPsppCMSJ8RJdYcO-xJy40k_5ES05OWd-inq6NkRWVf3F6m7YvpToYsamTWJp5vhlE0S4nc6hCVzU-PdZNJT_eot_XkIOfdD1ixSufkPv2JFAb7XKZpKLKw4gS_yUByPI22PH5/s400/yellow+bird+red+fuzz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441972224664194" border="0" /></a><br />Boy howdy! Sometimes I just can't fathom the depth of my occasional dorkitude. I've been getting all giddy because my Yellow Bird of Paradise bushes are getting ready to bloom. However a few weeks ago, noticed an unusual red growth smothering the stems and spreading out up upon the buds. I beat feet down to the local nursery and bought a rather expensive organic pest potion. I was all over the net trying to research theses little buggers. I looked up fungi, I looked up aphids, I looked up mites and I looked up scale. Much to my chagrin, I could not identify the anomoly. So I finally decided to check out close up shots of the blossoms and buds of this plant on the net, and that was when i discovered that the growth is actually part of the plant. Funny little red beard ya got there! I'm a dork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZakC1xBxNMoetH1GBUZdH6g10z48th-ZwtsoL8toxBy6h1s2cD0udTAp_di7blQ4TOX0LxU74nSzP0Ka9GHHSc819nzBNdTdWZAsDZ83kMABO0nBEIHnvXg6_SQXbv6MYCnmLeLcvTWjD/s1600-h/verbena.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZakC1xBxNMoetH1GBUZdH6g10z48th-ZwtsoL8toxBy6h1s2cD0udTAp_di7blQ4TOX0LxU74nSzP0Ka9GHHSc819nzBNdTdWZAsDZ83kMABO0nBEIHnvXg6_SQXbv6MYCnmLeLcvTWjD/s400/verbena.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441827031895058" border="0" /></a><br />The Verbena is always anxious to bloom early in spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T4EtkNcccT5-HVz2UlAOVfSqwqHN3df_M9FGMRpMUOkAPTtUJvFV4yGsOqNDM83JC-wMDSVogJJqiCYNzLb3vfyMHS7yr2hQaB-ZvSVuvvwp3L62uBGPW_LfcJR02h3pc56nftMmNdzE/s1600-h/laurel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-T4EtkNcccT5-HVz2UlAOVfSqwqHN3df_M9FGMRpMUOkAPTtUJvFV4yGsOqNDM83JC-wMDSVogJJqiCYNzLb3vfyMHS7yr2hQaB-ZvSVuvvwp3L62uBGPW_LfcJR02h3pc56nftMmNdzE/s400/laurel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441707670431090" border="0" /></a><br />The Texas Laurel is just about in full bloom too. This is one tree of mine that I really wished that the blossoms would linger longer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0uGvbYJuO9ZpfPot8-dQHWzDUKsdKvVA9f_j7BkT1gRfIKYa9CUNmW72VtX-VbFTmQZJJsJL_QotfWarJW2LtnCSqWjPU8crjZnoajEjo6xd4mKIKqcO6MHJ0dSOJuaYbBfXbJxVc3e7/s1600-h/occo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0uGvbYJuO9ZpfPot8-dQHWzDUKsdKvVA9f_j7BkT1gRfIKYa9CUNmW72VtX-VbFTmQZJJsJL_QotfWarJW2LtnCSqWjPU8crjZnoajEjo6xd4mKIKqcO6MHJ0dSOJuaYbBfXbJxVc3e7/s400/occo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441493908657554" border="0" /></a><br />The Ocotillo is bustin out nicely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsIAKNdx9ucmOarvqmtI5Zq_g9MXUfcM2wPKYUgZEEDtFYf8rhsBR40QTDVUs8QAYFzs5um8Vit1KG1zEnlFCbR6kpyQ8gNp54qnl89jKO4RbLqCOGmvlyp_tCjf-xQM6hTBoqYa-kGe/s1600-h/occo+close.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsIAKNdx9ucmOarvqmtI5Zq_g9MXUfcM2wPKYUgZEEDtFYf8rhsBR40QTDVUs8QAYFzs5um8Vit1KG1zEnlFCbR6kpyQ8gNp54qnl89jKO4RbLqCOGmvlyp_tCjf-xQM6hTBoqYa-kGe/s400/occo+close.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441345990987362" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a close up of the Occotillo Leaves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7d-GfR7QV3DSCYzo-5AujRcBWI8qNTnEfVyJobrGuGLDjvrmaqA9BPEdsnm3-v8Srzl_RxRZxWkWyhTm2tgyQhKDGKdVGlgrZVxsTc_l-ddc3glehIwJvMulWN7vjF8RExbZM3lQJ72_/s1600-h/potato+bush.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7d-GfR7QV3DSCYzo-5AujRcBWI8qNTnEfVyJobrGuGLDjvrmaqA9BPEdsnm3-v8Srzl_RxRZxWkWyhTm2tgyQhKDGKdVGlgrZVxsTc_l-ddc3glehIwJvMulWN7vjF8RExbZM3lQJ72_/s400/potato+bush.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441197659490130" border="0" /></a><br />The potato Bush really exploded almost all at once. I think it was in a blooming race with the Verbena.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvoD16YChQeEx_Pu4UnJAMDTM0JOjIIf7jchlPw_t4McBNGok_CIdUpfmpvQSs2s6cKdE0GtXyZ7_lyZHaobLdSVJduXcWwKJF779teZphnhgIOquitVm1_S_a8bD8zy-ZpqgMzMe5szt/s1600-h/so+long+suckle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvoD16YChQeEx_Pu4UnJAMDTM0JOjIIf7jchlPw_t4McBNGok_CIdUpfmpvQSs2s6cKdE0GtXyZ7_lyZHaobLdSVJduXcWwKJF779teZphnhgIOquitVm1_S_a8bD8zy-ZpqgMzMe5szt/s400/so+long+suckle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310441078305243330" border="0" /></a><br />The snow devistated my large Cape Honeysuckle. It was the favorite of all of the Hummingbird visitors. I decided to leave all of the old wood in tact, for the little sparrows and finches. Its just a few feet from the pond and they like to use it to bounce back and forth from between the pond.<br />I got some footage of a handfull of birds pirched up in it. If you want to check it out its in the "Roadrunner Morning" video.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGt3SarZ36MU50S5uIK9Ka6k2YgKh6eBV0SnefgygWgb0kK91krn744hBZOy1jJAZ06rMRrsjjDYyceMyBt2OekXpThA82qNR0UIH2PdJY3w7l75GkKeP_p6FeueVxjJnJCBC7-uLQsuh/s1600-h/web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGt3SarZ36MU50S5uIK9Ka6k2YgKh6eBV0SnefgygWgb0kK91krn744hBZOy1jJAZ06rMRrsjjDYyceMyBt2OekXpThA82qNR0UIH2PdJY3w7l75GkKeP_p6FeueVxjJnJCBC7-uLQsuh/s400/web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310440980119061234" border="0" /></a><br />Yee Gads! Someones built a little condo in the Verbina. I'll have to get a shot of the eight legged arachnid sometime.Valeriannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330771634245061693noreply@blogger.com2