Summer in the mountains is like most places. Flowers are blooming, baby birds are in nests with extremely busy parents and others that have left the nest are learning the art of foraging. Of course, insects of all sorts both annoying ones that fly down your throat or bite every exposed part of your body and those that are quite harmless and interesting abound.
Beginning with nesting birds...I LOVE finding hidden bird nests. Recently, I discovered the tree cavity nests of both the Western Bluebird and the Violet-green Swallow. The tireless adults bring insects back and forth to the nest but if they sense your presence, they will pause in order to protect the identity of their nest location. Keep that in mind if you find a nest. Back off so the birds can deliver their food.
We've been watching the sole pair of Bald Eagles at Lake Hemet since the winter when they began nesting. The whole process takes months for them. Last week, I finally saw the young Bald Eagle leave its birth tree. It landed on the shore. It seemed to be more interested in getting used to the water than fishing. I wish I had closer photos but the eagles were on the opposite side of the lake.
As for insects, three stand out this week. First, it was fun to see the ladybugs on a fresh Scarlet Monkey Flower.
We found this incredibly fat Monarch caterpillar munching the leaves of a California Milkweed. It reminded me of the children's story, The Hungry Caterpillar.
The other day, we found a swarm of honey bees. Evidently, the Queen and the majority of the worker bees left their original colony with plans of starting a new one. It was quite an impressive site! Thousands of buzzing bees gathered onto a branch and ended in this formation.
Spring rains have temporarily filled the creeks and have stimulated the growth of beautiful wildflowers.
Flowing water and blooming flowers are a beautiful sight that we don't take for granted. Unfortunately, the mountains didn't get enough snow this winter to alleviate the drought. With the hot summer and lack of rain, fire warnings are high once again.
We are once again volunteering in Tahquitz Fire Lookout Tower keeping watch and hoping our mountains will be spared from another large wildfire.
Hope you are enjoying your own birds, insects and flowers in your patch of the world!
Click on photos to enlarge.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
