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Is he winking at me?
Terrible drought means very few weeds. Our wonderful winter has led to a decent crop of weeds. Which would you rather have: few weeds and struggling ornamental plants, or plentiful weeds and happy, beautiful ornamental plants? I'm in the pro-weed group.
Not a huge number of weeds for a half acre property. I filled a five gallon bucket about two thirds full. Mulch makes a difference. Pulling every weed before it goes to seed is really important, too.
Not only weeds are thriving. The birds are benefiting greatly from our rainy winter. They are plentiful and active. A pair of Scrub Jays, two pairs of Mockingbirds, multiple Lesser Goldfinches, a dozen or more Hummingbirds, and a male Hooded Oriole have all been jockeying for territory and nectar out on the front slope.
Spot the Mock?
Can't miss the hummer
It was very difficult to get a shot of the Oriole. When you are a screaming bright yellow, you want to remain as unseen as possible, except by lady Orioles.
The clearest shot of the Oriole after many blurry attempts.
LBBs. Little brown birds.
All the chirping, chattering, and territory-protecting ceases when the Red Tailed Hawks take to circling. All the birds except the Hummingbirds quickly find cover to hide from hawks. The Hummers are too small to be of interest, so they continue their territorial battles.
The hawks fly. The garden fall silent.
Lovely how you captured the brilliance of the gorget on the Allen's.
ReplyDeletePure luck! So that's an Allen's? They sure are ornery little beasties.
DeleteOh yes, I'll take rain, weeds and more birds every time. (That's weeds, not weed.)
ReplyDeleteOne plant I want nothing to do with.
DeleteAgree totally would rather have the birds. I always look at weeds as my living mulch. The bees love the flowers and the birds love the seeds. It's sort of a win win situation as long as you don't like the manicured look. The orioles are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to have the birds around. Not a garden without them!
DeleteOriole among camouflaging aloe flowers: SO kewwwwll .
ReplyDeleteEnvying you the mockingbird too. There was a resident couple here for many years, but not the last few. I miss the singing. My confidence that there's not one here that I'm just not seeing or hearing is based on regular sightings lately of a bluebird couple using the pergola for a bug-hunting perch. When the mockingbirds were here, that would invariably bring the male wheeling angrily down the length of the pergola: "Mine, mine, all mine, all the time!"
Not looking forward to the probable weed explosion when it warms up (soon). This unusually cool start to the season is creating the illusion that this will be that magical year when it's possible to stay ahead of the garden. Ha ha ha no.
Most of the winter one of the mockingbird boys was attacking every car windshield; mine got pecked at several times as I waited for the gate to open. I was so happy when he found a lady companion. I love their singing.
DeleteYou would be able to stay ahead of the garden in a severe drought. Better to lag!
Have two buckets of mulch waiting (where shall I put it this time?!) and minimal weeds.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my white noise to be birds in the garden.
People here walk through the neighborhood with their headphones attached and their eyes focused on their phones. They miss the birds, the trees, the life around them (not to mention cars zipping by, not safe!).
Delete