With a break from rainy days, I took my camera across the street to the nature’s preserve to get some photos. I marveled at how green it is in the desert.
The Octotillo look very happy.
Then I slowly walked around our yard to observe the beauty. This bee was busy with a fairy duster plant in our front yard.
The Pyracantha white blossoms have disappeared and been replaced with fruit.
A cactus in bloom.
The Honeysuckle is blooming, too.
The Fire Stick plant is huge and topped with new growth.
Even the Aloe seems healthier with all our rainy days.
This is a female or juvenile Lesser Goldfinch who paid a visit to our birdbath yesterday. This is the first time I’ve seen one. I was pleased to have a new bird for Bird of the Week.
Lesser Goldfinch – Spinus psaltria
I learned that this goldfinch is called “Lesser” because it is smaller than its close relative the American Goldfinch. In North America, It’s the smallest goldfinch and one of the smallest finches.
COLORING:
While the males have black caps and white patches on the wings, the females and juveniles look just like the photo above with dull yellow underparts and an olive back. They also have two white wing bars.
SIZE: Length: 3.5-4.3 in (9-11 cm) Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-11.5 g) Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 in (15-20 cm)
LOCATION:
Lesser Goldfinches can be found in deserts, mountain canyons, weedy fields, in the brush of open areas and urban areas.
FOOD:
They mainly eat seeds from thistles and the sunflower family. They are attracted to backyard feeders especially with hulled sunflower seeds. Birdbaths are also a plus because of their diet of seeds. The Lesser Goldfinch needs hydration.
NESTING:
They do not mate for life, but stay together for breeding seasons and find a new mate the next year. The female chooses an area for a nest in trees or bushes. The nests are built four to eight feet off the ground in a protected area by leaves or branches. While the female builds the nest, the male watches.
She uses leaves, bark, cocoons, grasses and spiderwebs and weaves these together into a cup. The female lines the nest with hair, feathers, wool and fibers. Nests are about 3 inches wide and an inch deep. They have one brood per year with three to six eggs.
I did it! My website featuring my photography greeting cards is live! Two friends of mine who were graphic designers I worked with during my PR days in Palm Springs, pre kids, suggested I turn my nature photography into greeting cards. We live within a few miles of each other all these years later. They’ve been very supportive and full of ideas for me.
I jumped in and applied for a business license. I signed up to create a website. I ordered a few test cards of Red. I fiddled with different weights of card stock and finishes. I liked the look of glossy cards, but as a left-handed person, my writing smeared. I tried to order a card that I could write on and have my penmanship legible. Lots of little tweaks and more ordering cards.
Then I tinkered with the website itself. Lots of revising, editing and more editing. Deciding what photos I wanted to create cards with. I used Squarespace for the first time and the learning curve was doable but not foolproof.
When I finally published my website this week, I placed a test order. It didn’t work. I spent several hours with their AI chat bot. I followed all the directions, but nothing happened. Then AI said they’d send me to a real person! Woohoo! It took them less then two minutes to figure out my issue and now I’m in business.
The next step is to go in person to local gift stores with a few packets of card to see if they’ll accept my cards for sale. Yes, that makes me more than a little nervous…
When my son was in middle school and high school, he created and managed our swim team’s website. Back then, when he’d make a change he’d have to upload the whole site which would take six to eight hours. Now I can make a change to and it’s done instantly.
You’re more than welcome to check out my website HERE.
I spotted this blossom bursting from the side of a cactus. It was so unusual and when I took my macro lens to take photos of it, a bumblebee was buzzing around.
Here’s another shot of the bee and you can see the cactus in the background. I used AI to identify the type of cactus. It said “Peruvian Apple Cactus.” Whether this is correct or not, I’m not sure. Do any of my blogger friends know for sure? It did say the blossom would last one night. It was blooming in the daytime, but wilted by the next day.
Our pergola created interesting shadows in the background on a stucco wall.
Here are a couple other photos I took while I had the macro lens engaged:
One final fun photo:
I hope you enjoyed my photos today and have a great week!
I took these flower pics a few weeks ago, before breaking my ankle and surgery. I remember seeing the buds and blossoms before we were leaving for our trip to the White Mountains of Arizona. I told my husband, “I hate to leave. I’d like to see these buds bloom.” The cacti blossoms only last a day or two. If I only had a crystal ball and knew that I’d fall during that trip. Yes, I’d much rather be home looking at my blossoms.
Today is a perfect day to share the photos. I’m out of pain from my fall and surgery. The photos bring me joy and hopefully to you, too!
Now that the weekend is here, I have one more week until my post-op appointment and my soft cast comes off — hopefully. Then I’ll be in a the major giant boot, but will be able to walk around. In the meantime, I’ll continue in quiet solitude writing, reading, elevating and icing!
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.
