Red continues to be the star of the show. What I noticed this week is that Mrs. and Red visit for birdseed at different times — no longer together. They take turns. Does that mean that one of them is in the nest? Does that mean there are babies or eggs?
Mrs. showing off her back and tail.
My new birdbath is seeing some appreciation.
It must be lizard season. I’m seeing them daily running across the yard.
We now have more quail families than I can count. From newbies to teens.
Quail always have a male on guard stationed above the others. This one is on a bench on a raised platform where he can watch over the clan.
Mrs. enjoying a snack.
Red flitting around the back yard from a cactus statue to the real thing.
Happy 249 birthday to our nation! What plans do you have to celebrate?
I caught my favorite model taking off in flight. That was exciting for me. Much more so than PT.
I’m going to a Physical Therapy place twice a week. In the beginning, I was fine with it. But by the time I’d get home, which is 20 minutes away, I started to hurt. I didn’t ice the first couple visits because the appointments were during my husband’s work hours and I didn’t want to take up more of his time (which he said didn’t matter.) Oh well.
Now my appointments are in the afternoon, and I’m asking for ice. It’s helping. But what I really miss is the Game Ready machine my physical therapist had back in the Palm Springs area. The Game Ready is a game changer!
My husband asked if they had one and they said they aren’t very common here as they are in California. What’s a Game Ready you ask? It’s an ice machine that pumps cold into a sleeve you wear and it also adds compression. It is amazing. I used one after I fell skiing and had my ACL replaced.
Mrs. in our backyard enjoying bird seed.
I had a bad experience Monday when my assigned PT guy wasn’t there. The PT works my ankles with massage and stretches. I got a sub who did just as fine. When the PT is done, I get passed off to an assistant to guide me through exercises. The day which wasn’t so great, I got passed off two times to assistants and landed with one who was working with five patients at once. Needless to say, I did a lot of sitting, trying to get attention, and not getting any corrections or anyone watching me.
Back at “home” in Palm Springs, my PT office was owned by two former collegiate athletes — swimmers and women — who watched me every moment. That’s my comparison.
And they invested the money to have a row of Game Ready ice machines. Oh yeah.
Red striking a pose.
I was frustrated when I got home. I called two friends and asked about their PT, thinking I might need a change. I called the kids, as well. Anyway, before calling my surgeon to complain, I decided to keep my Wednesday afternoon appointment and go with an open mind. (She had said to let her know if there were any issues with PT). Maybe my Monday appointment was a one off and Wednesday would be fine.
We have two new families of baby quail visiting our yard. They have six babies each!
Fortunately, it was a good appointment. I got attention, corrections and wasn’t left alone. I believe it’s essential to face something with a good attitude and open mind. I could have gone to PT with a negative point of view and my outcome would most likely have been bad.
What are your thoughts about point of view, attitude and keeping an open mind?
This chipmunk stood on his hind legs for a long, long time. I thought it was interesting as here I am sitting, laying down, trying to pass time with a broken ankle. By the time you read this, I could be done with my surgery today and headed home! The doctor said it’s a four to six-week recovery. We shall see! I’ll take all your positive thoughts and prayers for the next bit of time.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel our trip for next weekend to the Bay Area to see my kids, and attend a wedding of one of my close friend’s daughters. My daughter is a bridesmaid. I hated calling and telling of my unfortunate walk where I fell and broke my fibula. But it had to be done. On the bright side, I was able to get a refund for the entire price of our airline tickets and hotel. Thank goodness for a bit of good news. I booked the trip in January and was so looking forward to it.
I can’t believe I got this shot. It’s of Mrs. mid flight to meet up with her sweetheart.
Here’s Mrs. with another friend.
As I sit and sit and sit, I watched another bright red cardinal enter the backyard. Mrs. and Red were hanging out together. Red took off like a bullet chasing the other guy. Mrs. stayed close by where I got took photos of her.
Who is that other guy? And is there jealousy between the cardinals? Do they have territories and not welcome competition? It appears so. Red came back a few hours later.
I’m so thrilled I’m in for surgery two days after my diagnosis. The doctor was extremely worried about how unstable my ankle is. Also, that the bone could totally break and the tendons go. I’m trying my best to stay still and off my feet.
I have always enjoyed my quail and I’m looking forward to seeing babies. Certainly some of our quail are having babies? In the past, I’ve found nests in planters. As soon as I see quail families, I’ll post photos.
My favorite bird of all. Red is so striking.
Mrs. Is pretty cute, too! Isn’t it something how the males in nature have all the bright colors?
Red shares the spotlight with a quail. There’s always one quail who keeps watch for predators. He’ll be up higher and alone and start squawking if he senses danger.
Then there’s this guy. There are three chipmunks who hang out together. One looks like a parent with two babies.
What are your favorite characters in your backyard?
Here’s a PS I wasn’t expecting. I saw a foot and ankle surgeon about a painful left foot I’ve been dealing with for years. Finally, I decided to inquire about surgery. In the meantime, during our stay in the cabin on the lake last weekend, I fell and twisted my right ankle last Friday. I asked the surgeon (since she’s a foot and ankle specialist) if she could check it out for me while I was there for my left foot. Big surprise. I fractured my fibula and have been walking on it for five days! Yesterday was especially painful and swollen. No wonder. They are trying to get me into surgery ASAP. If you miss hearing from me for a few days, that’s why. I may have to wait for insurance approval and scheduling, but the sooner the better.
I’m going to share some bird and flower photos I took this week — after my story about a name — our last name to be precise.
We had trouble with a guy living in Southern California with the same last name. He also has an of initial of E — which is my first initial. To top that off, he shares an initial with my husband.
It was years ago when a collection agency called. I also got letters. Somehow they got us mixed up with this other guy with the same name and common initials who wasn’t paying his credit card bills. In the mail, I got a list of overdue bills from a collection agency — in the thousands of dollars — that they tried to collect from us!
This guy is 30 years younger than us. How could they mix us up? Well, I don’t think they cared. Our phone rang every day. The emails and letters kept coming with threatening messages. I kept calling back, sending letters, explaining it wasn’t us. It took about a year of headaches and stress to unwind this unfortunate mixed-up identity.
I googled the collection agency. Other people had experienced the same mix up and relentless calls and letters.
Forward seven or eight years to Monday this week, and I got an email from an attorney threatening to sue us for a $48,000 plus debt from a builder supply store. It was sent to me and one other email address — which belongs to the other guy!
Rather than go through a year of hassle, my husband forwarded the email to our attorney, who is telling them they are barking up the wrong tree.
Now for my favorite photos of the week:
A bird knocked this blossom off the top of a saguaro. I put it in a glass of water on my desk. I’m enjoying the beauty and taking photos of it.
Blooms at the tippy top of the saguaro. I found the blossom on the ground beneath it.
A House Finch captured eating Barrel Cactus blossoms in the morning light.
A Great Tailed Grackle makes his first appearance in our backyard.
Gila Woodpecker on a Beavertail Cactus yard ornament.
Red in the morning light climbing down a watering line from a planter. Wouldn’t it be easier to fly?
Mrs. in the BirdBuddy AI feeder with a real live bird buddy.
Have you ever had identity theft or mistaken identity? If so, what happened?
I was thrilled to catch the lovebirds, Red and Mrs., spending time with each other yesterday morning. They appear quite cozy together, but I have a tough time trying to get their photo. I can take their photos separately, but even though they are spending more and more time together, as soon as I raise the camera they fly off out of sight.
Yesterday, my settings made the photo too dark. I have a habit of picking up my camera first thing in the morning, without noticing how I left the settings the day before. But with a little lightening and brightening, the photo looked better.
Now that Spring is in the air, I hope to see some little Reds along with baby quail. On the Next Door app for my area, people are posting videos of baby quail already. They are so adorable the way they follow in a line behind mom and dad.
I’ve noticed quail always come in pairs and like Cardinals, they mate for life. I wonder how common that is in bird land?
Two photos of Red and Mrs. — not together — but not far apart:
What do you notice in your area that tells you Spring is in the air?
Saturday our guests left and I had most of the day to myself. I took a long walk and captured this cholla with my iphone. I love the blue sky! I did have to make a trip to the grocery store to restock the fridge. I did a lot of cooking for my guests. My favorite dinner was our last. Chilean sea bass (my favorite fish) and steamed clams (another all time favorite.)
Sunday, I tried to do nothing after another long walk, but sit in the backyard, read and listen to podcasts — and my favorite bird Red. His singing voice is simply a joy to hear. I had a visit to the bird buddy by a female Cardinal. Maybe it’s his mate?
I’m not sure what to name her. Because of her quieter voice and color, I don’t notice her like I do my buddy Red.
Our guests were so kind and grateful. They were here to scout a nearby lake for an upcoming National Spearfishing competition. They are serious and have won world championships before. This is the second visit to the lake for one of them. Then they are coming back to stay with us the week of the competition in April. They will spend more time underwater, looking for where the fish live. I wonder if other teams prepare like this?
I kind of wish I didn’t go all out cooking for them. (But it was nice to get their compliments.)They will be back in a few weeks with the third member of their crew. I may tell them in advance that I won’t be cooking every night! That they need to know they’ll be on their own. Our casita does have a full kitchen and of course they can go to restaurants.
Another photo from Saturday’s walk. I loved the blue sky and contrast with the beautiful plant. Although I don’t know what type if plant it is.
