

First California Poppies in the garden
Doesn't this look like a lovely golden drop of sunshine? These California poppies reseed themselves all over the garden, so now there are...


Monarch resting on tree fern fronds
Last weekend, when the weather was dry and sunny, there was a lot of activity in the garden and patio. Birds were visiting all day, and...


First carpenter bee sighting of the year
Here is my first carpenter bee sighting of the year on our patio. It is a male Mountain Carpenter Bee Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex,...


It was a Painted Lady
In my last post I wrote that the Black Phoebe ate a Checkerspot butterfly. But after observing butterfly activity in the native garden...


Black Phoebe eats a Checkerspot Butterfly
Today during my lunch break I looked out the window at our front yard which is starting to look quite lush. It was quite a gray day with...


Anna's Hummingbird in the Sunset
Observing birds in the garden, at sunset, is always a magical experience for me. They glow in the light of the setting sun. Here is an...


Cedar Waxwings on the utility cables
Early in the morning when I was checking out the front garden, I noticed a huge flock of cedar waxwings descending on a neighbor's Toyon...


Honey Bee and Borage Blossoms
What a great weekend to observe bees, birds and butterflies! The weather was lovely with warmer temperatures and sunshine. We love the...


First daffodils of the season
Daffodils are always a cheerful sight. We've been living in our current residence for a little over two years. The previous tenants...


Black tailed Bumble Bee on the Ceanothus
I originally identified this bumble bee as a hover fly because there is a hover fly that resembles it. After researching further, I've...