A Day off in May

Oh my. How did it become 2008? And May yet.

The Madame Alfred Carrier has bloomed out without a photo record of the most fabulous first bloom of it's 7 year life. I'm guessing over 300 roses bloomed at about the same time. It's been a wonderful spring here in Fullerton. We had just the right amount of rain at just the right time. Everything in the garden seems happy. Lots of bees. Lots of birds, particularly since I've become the crazy neighborhood bird lady. Jorge moved out taking his two cats, so the birds have free reign. Wild Birds Unlimited is my new one stop shop for all things bird related. Lesser goldfinches (not inferior, just smaller), (Dad is feeding his fledgling on the left.),



a mated pair of towhees, and lots of house finches have visited. The hummingbirds are fighting over this territory, too, but there is lots to share and room for more.

The honeysuckle, above, purchased at the Green Scene three years ago is thriving now and a hummer favorite.

Three years seems to be the magic number for a lot of plants. The wisteria in the backyard bloomed nicely this year, too. And at long last, the lilac in front pushed out about half a dozen blooms. So exciting! Sorry, no photo, but here is a link. I almost gave up on it and threatened to yank it if it didn't perform. Who says threats don't work?

Clematis can be tricky here in hot So Cal, but this one has roots in the shade, head in the sun. It's sterile, so the birds and the bees ignore it. The flowers remind me of big lavender powder puffs.

Wilson!

My little side yard, formerly a driveway leading to my nearly useless 80 year old garage, has become a haven for migrating birds. Today I was able to photograph through my kitchen window this Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla. It's mate, less colorful and much more cautious about sitting still, was also nearby. Here is a link to the Cornell Ornithology project.

My sister Vanessa (see bug blog link) asks: Who's Wilson? Anyone know? She points out that they are very fond of leaf hoppers which are in abundant supply right now, evidenced by all the holes in my Brugmansia.

Answer to above question came from Vanessa herself. The genus (wilsonia) is named for Alexander Wilson, known as the "Father of American Ornithology." In the early 1800s he published nine volumes of notes on birds, their habitats, and their ranges. Alexander Wilson, a Scot, is recognized as the greatest american ornithologist before Audubon. Here are a few links:

New World Warblers by Curson, Quinn and Beadle, ISBN 0-7136-3932-6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson%27s_Warbler

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Wilson