May 2008

Weekend Birding

Not that we’re big into the Audubon Society, but we do like to attract birds to the backyard by keeping the feeders stocked with songbird seed mix. I happened to get out the telephoto lens and caught this little House Finch looking at me taking a photo of him.

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WikiPedia has this about House Finches:

Adults have a long, square-tipped brown tail and are a brown or dull-brown color across the back with some shading into deep gray on the wing feathers. Breast and belly feathers may be streaked; the flanks usually are. In most cases, adult males’ heads, necks and shoulders are reddish. This color sometimes extends to the stomach and down the back, between the wings. The male coloration varies in intensity with the seasons and is derived from the berries and fruits in its diet. As a result, the colors range from pale straw-yellow through bright orange (both rare) to deep, intense red. Adult females have brown upper parts and streaked under parts.

Their song is a rapid, cheery warble or a variety of chirps.

Bird Man of Torrance

Bird ManThank God it’s not The Bird Man of Alcatraz!

A regular event in our weekly routine is when Bob fills the bird feeders out back. We get several varieties of birds who take advantage of the easy pickin’s in the back yard. House sparrows, house finches, turtle doves, pigeons (a.k.a. rock doves) and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the back yard feeders, the latter going for the nectar in the hummingbird feeder which is my job to fill. The wire cage is set up so the larger birds cant get some of the treats we think should be for the little birds.

I’ll have some pictures of various birds in future postings. Click the picture for a closer look.

Snorking Down The Frosty Paws

bears-frosty-paw.jpgFrosty Paws is an ice cream treat for dogs, and as you can see, Bear loves them.

frosty-pawslogo.jpg

Dogs love Frosty Paws Frozen Treats because they are delicious and refreshing. You’ll love them because they are a convenient and healthy way to share the joy of ice cream with your four-legged friend.

* Fortified with protein, vitamins and minerals that dogs need
* No added sodium, sugar, artificial flavors or colors

Bishop’s Cap Cactus

bishops-cap1I took this photo of one of our favorite specimens, the Bishop’s Cap. We purchased this cactus in a three-inch plastic cup about nine years ago while on vacation near Phoenix, AZ. Today, it measures over twice as wide and tall. This cactus has given us dozens of these pretty flowers over the years we’ve had it.

Click on the image for a larger view.

More from WikiPedia.

Astrophytum myriostigma

Common names: Bishop’s Cap Cactus, Bishop’s Hat or Bishop’s Miter Cactus. This is a species of cactus native to the highlands of northeastern and central Mexico.

Bishop’s Cap is a spineless cactus defined by the presence of three to seven (usually five) pronounced vertical ribs which define the cactus’ shape when young (the genus name “astrophytum”, literally, “star plant”, is derived from the resulting star-like shape). As the cactus ages, more ribs may be added and it becomes more cylindrical in shape, growing up to about 70-100 cm tall and 10-20 cm in diameter. The stem is often covered with whitish flecks.

The cactus flowers in the spring or summer with one or more waxy flowers 4-6 cm diameter near its apex; the numerous petals are yellow, sometimes with an orange or red base. Pollinated flowers develop into a hairy reddish fruit about 2-2.5 cm in diameter. Plants may take up to six years to flower. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in cactus collections.

Running in the Red

No, not adverse business statistics, but an opportunist honey bee taking advantage of the short time that these gorgeous red epiphyllum will be open for business. Click on the image below to see the wallpaper-sized version.

an opportunist honey bee

Upper Meadow at the Botanic Garden

This is a panoramic view of the upper meadow at the South Coast Botanic Garden. The Garden Foundation has this area set aside for special events. You can charter (for a fee) the area for weddings or other events. On the left and right edges of the panorama you can see the two pergola- covered paved patios which are adjacent to the meadow. Just to the left of center is the gazebo which is can be used as a stage for events. This panorama view subtends nearly 180 degrees. Click on the image below for the full-sized image.

upper meadow