This afternoon we rescued a hummingbird from the garage. The tiny bird went in while we were all busy in the backyard and some how couldn’t get out even though the doors were wide open. For almost fifteen minutes, it kept flying high hitting the ceiling and becoming distressed. It seems that these tiny birds would not fly low unless something gets their attention. My husband used an insect catching net to carefully rescue the bird. We made sure the hummingbird was safe before releasing it.
Rescued Hummingbird in Net.
A small lizard entangled in the web was captured by a female black widow.
I love Lavender so much that I finally planted a couple in my front yard, right by my kitchen and bedroom windows. It’s beautiful, evergreen and it smell wonderful too. The plant attracts lacewings, bees, butterflies, ladybugs, praying mantises and hummingbirds. Lavender is known to repel mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects. Some common pest of Lavender plants are spittle bugs and aphids (ladybugs and praying mantises keep them in check).
Lavender ‘Lavance Purple.’Anouk Lavender.
The horsetails are thriving in the half barrel container. I cut them back every winter and they return stronger.
Horsetail (Equisetum Hyemale).
The Pomegranate tree has began producing flower buds and we are looking forward to lots of beautiful flowers.
Pomegranate flower buds.
The Yucca Pendula sprouts I transplanted almost three years ago are thriving on their own. I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see flower stalks emerging from the center of the rosettes. I am looking forward to seeing the fragrant ivory bell-shaped blooms. Click here to learn about Yucca Species Propagation.
Yucca Pendula Flower Stalk.
A variety of Gaura all around my property began producing a profusion of white, bright and light pink blossoms. Gaura Lindheimeri is a plant I really enjoy having around. They are self-cleaning, self-seedling, are drought tolerant, bloom for a long time and they bounce back stronger year after year.
Gaura plants attract bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, ladybugs as well as a variety of moths. A variety of moths such as the Primrose Moth and the Hawk Moth are attracted to the plant, feeding off their nectar, serving as a means of pollination and laying their eggs on the plant. The larvae and caterpillar feed on leaves and flowers. Unfortunately this plant also attracts aphids (which get eaten by praying mantis and ladybugs). Click here to learn about using ladybugs for aphids.
The Red Autumn Sage is another plant I love. It attracts hummingbirds and bees. I read somewhere that Salvia plants also attract groups of butterflies consisting of Swallowtails, Sulphers, Skippers and Brushfoots; some of which will lay their eggs on the plant.
Salvias are also self-cleaning, self-seedling, drought tolerant and bloom for a very long time (as early as spring through fall). They are very susceptible to spittlebugs (plant-feeding insects, which produces a cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling saliva). Click here to learn about controlling spittlebugs.
Salvia Greggii (Red Autumn Sage).
The Dwarf Cup flowers are in full bloom and going strong in the planter box. I found a couple of caterpillars on the plants, eating the flowers. They look like the larvae of Heliothis virescens.
Dwarf Cup Flowers.
I saw the beautiful female Mourning Dove as I was stepping out of the car and thought it was a figurine. The bird stood still as I took a closer look and flew away as my kids approached.
Female Mourning Dove.
Ground squirrels are at it again. I watched one having fun in the front yard this afternoon from my kitchen window. The rodent was busy eating the flowers on the Gaura Lindheimeri and attempted to eat those on the Desert Bird of Paradise.
It’s been very cold lately in the High Desert and we are spending time enjoying the company of one another.
A couple of weeks ago, we woke up to a freezing morning fog.
Morning Fog (view from the backyard).
A few days later I noticed the formation of thick clouds over the mountains, which rapidly turned into snow. It’s a breathtaking sight from my backyard.
Thick Clouds/Snowy Mountains.
I have enjoyed watching Hummingbirds feed from my kitchen window.
Hummingbird Feeding.
Finally, Snow began falling tonight. It’s been a year or two since the last Snowfall. This one comes as our end of year present from Mother Nature.
A couple of weeks ago, I urged my husband to do something about the Squirrels digging holes all over my front yard to gain access to the nuts on the Sweet Almond tree. He came up with a very simple, yet functional mechanism to prevent those rodents from climbing up the tree. He created a piece similar to an umbrella shape and/or a funnel shape using materials we already had on hand.
Squirrel Fruit Tree Deterrent.Squirrel Fruit Tree Deterrent.
From the pictures you can see how most of the work was done.
Materials/Tools Needed
Zip Ties
Chicken Wire 1 inch spacing
Pliers
Drip Tubing
Compression Reducing Tees
Step by Steps:
He first made a circle around the tree with the tubing making sure he could have the room to place the two support pieces to hold it in place.
After making the ring with the supports he cut strips of chicken wire to wrap around the ring edge and making certain there was no gap between wire and tree trunk.
The effectiveness is similar to the one of the image below.
Squirrel Baffle Image Source: HarrietCarter.com.
Click here to learn about Tree Squirrels and how to prevent them from climbing up a pole, tree, or other structure.
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
― Maya Angelou
Early this morning, my husband found a package on our porch which held a Hummingbird Elixir Feeder by Classic Brands™ LLC and Premium Ready to use Natural Springs Nectar® Hummingbird Food by Pennington®. The gift was left there for us by one of our loving neighbors as a token of their continuous gratitude.
Hummingbird Feeder and Food.
Our beloved neighbors have been a blessing to us from the moment we moved into this city. We thank the Almighty God for them and pray ceaselessly for them.
By JM Perez
by Classic Brands™ LLC and Premium Ready to use Natural Springs Nectar® Hummingbird Food by Pennington®. The gift was left there for us by one of our loving neighbors as a token of their continuous gratitude.
