While doing this morning's bird observations and putting the seedings out for the day (they're hardening off nicely), I heard the usual twitterings and chippings of warblers and goldfinches at the feeders and starlings trilling and chittering from the phone lines.
Then I heard a wolf whistle. Twice. Then three and four times. Then the wolf whistle was interrupted by starling noises. Then more wolf whistling. And a pretty good imitation of the lesser goldfinches. And more starling chitters.
I wonder if they think they're clever.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Hanami!!!
Sakura are blossoming all over town! On my drive home from work tonight I saw several that were nearly in full bloom. The sakura that are currently blooming are pale pink in color.
I'm inspired to drive around with my camera and take pictures. Perhaps I'll even post them.
Our Kanzan cherry (or Kwanzan, as I have also seen it written) -- a dark pink variety -- has big fat buds, but they haven't opened yet.
Last year we introduced some of our local tea friends to Hanami. They're hooked and we're hoping that this weekend will provide us with good weather so we can enjoy Hanami at Laura and Karin's, whose neighbor has a lovely white-flowering cherry which is about 30 feet tall and easily enjoyed from their back yard. It's kind of exciting, not knowing when the party will be. I hope it's this weekend, I can't wait!!!
Know any good Hanami songs?
I'm inspired to drive around with my camera and take pictures. Perhaps I'll even post them.
Our Kanzan cherry (or Kwanzan, as I have also seen it written) -- a dark pink variety -- has big fat buds, but they haven't opened yet.
Last year we introduced some of our local tea friends to Hanami. They're hooked and we're hoping that this weekend will provide us with good weather so we can enjoy Hanami at Laura and Karin's, whose neighbor has a lovely white-flowering cherry which is about 30 feet tall and easily enjoyed from their back yard. It's kind of exciting, not knowing when the party will be. I hope it's this weekend, I can't wait!!!
Know any good Hanami songs?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Hot backyard bird action
Spring? It's here.
As if the flowers aren't a clue, all I have to do is look in the back yard and watch the birds and bees gettin' busy.
Bird report
Fox sparrows
Townsends warblers
White crowned sparrows
Pine siskins
Yellow-rumped warblers (Note: New nickname for yellow-rumps: Butter Butts -- the males are vying for territory, gettin' on their purty colors and makin' eyes at the ladies)
and
Goldfinches! The Lesser variety. I expect the American goldfinches will be around shortly, if they aren't already. As with the butter butts, the males are starting to put on the pretty plumage for the girls and starting to sing their lovely finchy songs.
I've tried to take pictures of the birds at the feeder, but they don't hold still when I ask them to.
Flower report
Plums: Late - usually start in January, didn't bloom till February. But spectacular!
Cherries: Just beginning! My favorite tree in Eureka has already burst a few blossoms.
Irises: yes, there are irises already blooming.
Garden report
Started seeds a few weeks ago and some are ready to go. Amended one veggie bed (three to go). Rain predicted all week, so can't put seedlings out this week. Maybe next week.
As if the flowers aren't a clue, all I have to do is look in the back yard and watch the birds and bees gettin' busy.
Bird report
Fox sparrows
Townsends warblers
White crowned sparrows
Pine siskins
Yellow-rumped warblers (Note: New nickname for yellow-rumps: Butter Butts -- the males are vying for territory, gettin' on their purty colors and makin' eyes at the ladies)
and
Goldfinches! The Lesser variety. I expect the American goldfinches will be around shortly, if they aren't already. As with the butter butts, the males are starting to put on the pretty plumage for the girls and starting to sing their lovely finchy songs.
I've tried to take pictures of the birds at the feeder, but they don't hold still when I ask them to.
Flower report
Plums: Late - usually start in January, didn't bloom till February. But spectacular!
Cherries: Just beginning! My favorite tree in Eureka has already burst a few blossoms.
Irises: yes, there are irises already blooming.
Garden report
Started seeds a few weeks ago and some are ready to go. Amended one veggie bed (three to go). Rain predicted all week, so can't put seedlings out this week. Maybe next week.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Today's Backyard Birds
About a dozen robins. Ho-hum.
Two yellow rumped warblers. One -- who is now putting on his fancy breeding plumage -- has staked out our yard as part of his territory and chases chickadees and other warblers away.
A small gang of dark-eyed juncos.
One golden crowned sparrow, probably first-year male. Plumage not particularly bright, but gold crown unmistakable.
One white crowned sparrow, male, in fancy plumage.
Two yellow rumped warblers. One -- who is now putting on his fancy breeding plumage -- has staked out our yard as part of his territory and chases chickadees and other warblers away.
A small gang of dark-eyed juncos.
One golden crowned sparrow, probably first-year male. Plumage not particularly bright, but gold crown unmistakable.
One white crowned sparrow, male, in fancy plumage.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Yamahai!
Thank-yous to Laura-san for emailing me this link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/22/WI1PUSIJ5.DTL&hw=sake&sn=001&sc=1000
Photo of Yamahai sake: Hiraizumi Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai. Chronicle photo by Craig Lee
Cheers!
[wi_yamahai22_251_cl]
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/22/WI1PUSIJ5.DTL&hw=sake&sn=001&sc=1000
Photo of Yamahai sake: Hiraizumi Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai. Chronicle photo by Craig Lee
Cheers!
[wi_yamahai22_251_cl]
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Saturday on the couch
But not for long! This morning, I'm working on a side job for the Humboldt CVB, and need to put in a couple hours on it. But what I'm really looking forward to today is getting some seeds started! I have to sterilize the starting flats (saved a bunch from purchased seedlings last season) and make some other decisions about where to set things up, how to heat and light them. All without breaking the bank.
Nikko is being a pest. She hates computers.
Oh, no, she's threatening to tip over my coffee.....
Nikko is being a pest. She hates computers.
Oh, no, she's threatening to tip over my coffee.....
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