Rainy Day at Home

I think I'll let the rain wash these carrots : )

This little verdin is usually hiding, but today he was out enjoying the rain.

Mockingbird in hiding

She needs a pedicure!

I love working in the garden while it's raining.  Call me crazy, but it is so relaxing.  I really  needed to pull the rest of the carrots so I can put in my tomatoes. I planted a few seeds also - sunflowers, lime basil and asters.   I noticed in the cordia bush there were several birds - all in the same bush and getting along just fine. They were just happy for a little shelter from the rain.  Three different species - a verdin, a mockingbird and a white crowned sparrow sharing a space, peaceful and content.

Birds in the backyard

It's been cold and rainy here, unusually cold for Arizona. The Hummingbirds love to come out in the rain.  Last week these little birds needed to wait until well after sunrise to sip from their feeder because the nectar was frozen!

Anna's Hummingbird

 This week the hummingbird feeder was visited by other birds as well.

House Finch at sunset

Verdin

Rumors of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

We heard there was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum this week.  (Haven't you always wondered if you would ever come across one?) I have always wanted to see one, and it was a warm sunny day, so we got in the car and headed East.  It turned out to be a great day for a hike.

Cardinal looking very cautious

Lesser Goldfinch

The desert looked beautiful

The sun was warm

 Finally at the end of the walk we spotted what appeared to be a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  However, after further investigation (allaboutbirds.org) it appears to be a female Red-naped Sapsucker. So close! 

Red-naped Sapsucker

We'll keep looking... Maybe next time.

December in Ohio

Neighborhood Christmas Lights

Schoolhouse at Wildwood

Foggy day at the Park

The Manor House was decorated for Christmas

Lights on a foggy morning

There were a few berries left for
the wildlife

Halloween leftovers were a treat for
this squirrel

I love the dear when they stare at you while chewing on a snack.

I know he saw me

Tinsel!

It was finally time to decorate the tree

San Diego - A great beginning to retirement...

The waves were high and the surfers were happy!

Ocean Sunset

Coast Guard Station at Point Loma

The water was shimmering

So fun to see a sea star

The tide pools at Point Loma

A Curlew

This Fish was made from "trash" that washed up on shore at the Chula Vista Wildlife Refuge

An afternoon in the White Mountains

The Pine trees smelled delicious

 Wildflowers were in bloom

Love these puffy clouds!

A

There was a rain storm headed our way

On the way home, we stopped to capture this sunset

Rainy Day Ducks

Okay, here's the plan

I'll go first

Then just follow me!