I don't remember seeing one of these here before, so it was exciting for me to see it on the buddleia bush we planted last year. Such a cheering sight.
We have a fox Have our racoons gone?
We've had racoons wrecking our lawn for years, in the spring and fall, digging up all the grass in search of grubs. Since we've seen this fox hanging around, there has been no lawn wrecking crew active. I much prefer foxes (not having chickens). A handsome fellow, I hope he has a mate to scare off more raccoons and keep the rodent population down.
Happy Wednesday!
Morning at the Crane Pools
Bosque del Apache NWR, NM
Over two dozen Sandhill Cranes are standing in the icy pool—they spend the night there as protection against predators, such as coyote. Around them are many, many Snow Geese who also spent the night here. Very soon all will take to the sky to head off to forage in the neighboring fields.
Here's an Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), taking a sip out of Scarlet Larkspur (Delphinium cardinale). Photographed in Del Mar, California at the end of June 2023.
This was an easy photo to get because the little birds are extremely attracted to the bright red flowers. One just needs to wait! :)
Vertical photo, might need a tap/click (but hey, the 16:9 thumbnail doesn't look bad either;-)
In 2016, I was sitting in my livingroom when something slammed against the patio door. I ran over and saw this little guy lying on his back with his legs in the air. I thought he'd broken his neck. A flock of crows roosted on the patio railings. I went outside, and the crows didn't fly away. They made little placating sounds at me, like, "Hey, that's ours. Just leave it there and we'll be cool, ok?"
But I bundled up the little owl, and the crows freaked the fuck out. They started cawing in earnest and hopping up and down. I brought the owl inside, who still was not moving. He was knocked out. Then he burst into consciousness and started flying all around the house. I managed to catch him, bundle him up, and put him in the bathroom. He kept shrieking at me to scare me off, and I guess it worked, although his cries were cuter than they were scary. I left him in there with the lights out while I called a wildlife rehab centre. He pooped all over my bathroom mirror.
#WildlifeWednesday
One more picture of the Snow Geese before they migrate. It is mesmerizing to watch as thousands take off illuminated by the sunset glow.
The Hooded Orioles have returned — I heard their loud chatter in the neighborhood this morning. Here's a photo of a male (seems like he's aware of his good looks, isn't he?😅)