Sunny with a Chance of Tomatoes

So, like the rest of the gardeners in the US, I succumbed to the lure of home grown tomatoes this year. Since I have precious little sun in my yard, my only option is to grown them in pots in front of the garage door. These are two plants purchased at the Green Scene last month. The larger clay pot with the big plant is drying out every day. Looks pretty scraggly at the bottom. But there are tomatoes. Hooray. The smaller Roma plant in the glazed clay pot looks green and strong. Also has tomatoes. We shall see if the taste and satisfaction from growing them myself was worth the effort. The basil is yummy.

Golden Sunday Backyard Bluebirds

The cats and I were having a glass of wine in the backyard after I returned from work this evening, when a male bluebird alighted on a branch in the old fig tree above me. He was keeping a close watch on the Katz Brothers, and me as well. I didn't notice his partner until later. Could not tell if they are living nearby or protecting young 'uns in the bluebird box I bought at the Green Scene in '09. Had noticed them building a nest in the box a few weeks ago, but they were being harassed by what looked like a Wilson's Warbler, and I thought they had moved on. This is the only time I've seen them since. Maybe I have not been paying close enough attention.

After tricking the boys into climbing into my lap for a scratch and tail pull, I tossed them into the house, so the bluebirds would relax. Unfortunately a Mockingbird decided to intimidate them, and they moved away.


A swarm of gnats in front of the bluebird box looked like flecks of gold in the evening glow.

Here is some info on the Western Bluebird. Here is some more.