Splish Splash
Due to the ongoing avian flu situation, we put away the birdbaths until we get the go ahead to put the baths back out. Just this little standing ornamental one is still out on the patio. With all the rain that we've been getting, it fills with water. The visiting sparrows and hermit thrushes have taken advantage of the situation and happily splash here between rain showers. Who knows what they think about the cast iron bird that's part of the little bath. Here's some tail fea
Don't rush into Spring cleanup in the garden!
Photo credit: Deborah Seiler Yes, Spring is officially here. And some of the days are warmer. However, that bumble bee, other bees or occasional butterfly you may see flying around the garden still need cover from those heavy Spring showers and chilly nights. So WAIT! More important information about this from the Xerxes Society: https://xerces.org/blog/dont-spring-into-garden-cleanup-too-soon?fbclid=IwAR1uxjz-hfoViFIUK4YiNDtHIc3iaz2Usq5mD8MZ0zPp9xFc8LN0LlcAurY
A Round of Robins and the Ivy Berries
This is our first winter in our current house. I wondered if the American robins would visit our backyard, as they visited the previous backyard because of a huge Coastal redwood tree in our neighbor's garden. They would congregate in the redwood and often fly into our yard to devour ripe berries on English ivy growing along a fence. Most of us in the neighborhood consider English ivy a horrible non-native invasive nuisance. I pull out most of the ivy around the yard, as I di
Red cloud at sunset
This was our view out the kitchen window yesterday evening at sunset. That huge blanket of red tinged cloud cover looks ominous. So appropriate in anticipation of more rain and atmospheric rivers. The mountain peak to the right, behind the trees, is Mt Tamalpais. Looking out another kitchen window at the wonder of nature.
The right way to leave stems for your bees
Very helpful information from the Tufts Pollinator Initiative: https://sites.tufts.edu/pollinators/2021/04/the-right-way-to-leave-stems-for-native-bees/?fbclid=IwAR3ZCbQ2XxXkbhiU9tBC3xKwZA4S0BkXM9nKInI7IRX96AUPa_2m7DuMtgc
Leave the Leaves!
Why should you leave the leaves? Read this: https://xerces.org/blog/leave-the-leaves?fbclid=IwAR34jhkcmMGkz-F1wJXJh-eGeetSz25VRrw80UAkHbBv6NwyA_nucaAw-vw
