The change of seasons from Winter to Spring has arrived. Recent snowfalls with traces of the secretive mountain lion have melted away. They've been replaced with daffodils and plum tree blooms. I love the changing of the seasons especially when I get to observe what's going on outdoors!
Yesterday, we had a visit from a mighty tough hummingbird. The Rufous Hummingbird winters as far south as southern Mexico and breeds as far north as Southern Alaska. That's quite a journey for this brightly orange colored bird!
Our resident Anna's Hummers aren't the best hosts. They are notorious for guarding their nectar source whether from a flower patch or a sugar filled feeder.
I'm sure some of our resident birds like the Band-tailed Pigeon, Mountain Chickadee and Western Bluebird will be relieved when the "bird snatcher" travels north.
Word got out to this "Sharpie" that our backyard is a popular place for birds to congregate in the morning. He/she should be leaving soon as well.
Now for the feisty misnamed Jerusalem Cricket. If you live east of the Rockies, this is an unfamiliar insect. In fact, it may be unknown to those west of the Rockies as well since it burrows underground eating decaying material and an occasional insect. This nocturnal critter had a mighty battle with a Steller's Jay this week. The Jay must have thought it would be tasty but the cricket rolled onto its back and did a good job scaring it off with its flailing limbs and strong mandibles that look like fangs. Wow! That was a first for me!
Another recent visitor that we rarely see since it lives underground was the Pocket Gopher. He managed to snatch a few stalks of Lavender before disappearing underground. What a rascal! All of our plants have to be in "gopher" cages to prevent total destruction by these hungry backyard critters.
Every day, we hear the calling Northern Flickers. This one picked the tallest snag to announce his presence.
The seasons are changing...birds will be departing while others will either be passing through on their way up north or arriving here for the Summer. It's an exciting time! Stay tuned....
Be sure to enjoy your own "patch" in the world! Neat things happen every day!
Be sure to enjoy your own "patch" in the world! Neat things happen every day!
Click on photos to enlarge.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
Photos and content by Robin Roberts.
