Winning Combination Part 1

Verdin love with The Tangerine Beauty Crossvine

Today I begin my 3 part series about plants and the critters they attract.  Working with the El Presidio gardens has been a lot of fun as it continues to develop.  One of our guests that lives here on the property is the Verdin. 

I began to notice the tiny bird this past year as it found its way back to our property.  The birds then began to nest in nearby trees and drink from our hummingbird feeders.  Similiar to hummingbird needs, the Verdin loves sweet tubular flowers like this colorful Tangerine Beauty Crossvine.  An easy vine to grow and it does require some regular watering and lots of sun to create these marvelous bursts of color.

I was outside walking around the gardens when this little guy landed on one of the flowers.  It shows how small this bird is compared to the tubular flower.  I'm so glad I had the camera on me so that you can see the sizes of both the bird and flower.

When I place a plant into the garden, I always think about how it will add(beyond shade) to our landscape.  Questions I ask myself, "Will it add color?"  "Will it add vertical dimension to the garden?" "Will it attract wildlife?"  "Is it edible for humans or wildlife?"  "How much lighting and water will the plant take?" etc etc.  While it may seem like a lot of work and research, it's worth all the effort in the long run.  When the puzzle pieces start coming together, a masterpiece is created for all to enjoy.  More tomorrow...

Verdin Love

I enjoy birders from outside of Arizona.  They come with hopes of capturing many birds from around our state.  They usually have a list of places they need to go.  Generally, most will find more birds than they had ever hoped for:) And so my story begins with this tiny little Verdin:)

My hummingbird feeder has been losing liquid for quite some time now.  Another nest has been built near a hummer's nest and quite interesting enough, our hummingbird feeders have been popular with the Gila Woodpecker, Verdins, and Anna's Hummingbirds! The problem with these Verdins and Gila Woodpeckers?  They sure like to move the feeders and pour out some juice for their own needs:)

These pictures were taken from my dining room window(my cat's "Plasma TV").  I've been frustrated that quite a bit of the liquid gets all over the sidewalk!  But I rinse it off with a hose and have extra hummingbird juice in the fridge to fill up during the week.

I don't know why but I do enjoy the antics of the Verdin.  They are skittish little creatures and move quickly at the slightest scare.

Now for the out of town birders.  It makes me smile while I'm on a birding mission searching for that rare bird to find others searching for the birds that I take for granted everyday.  For example, the Verdin.  3 men from California were on a bridge with their photo equipment set up excited about some bird off in the distance.  When I see a cluster of people, I become excited myself and move quickly and quietly to the location to check out the action.

They are smiling and laughing like little kids and so I ask, "What do you guys see?"  They excitedly respond, "A VERDIN!!  A VERDIN!!"  I smile to myself and say, "Have fun guys.  Hope you find lots of birds."  I give them some tips to help locate other birds that are nesting etc.  And then I think, maybe I am beginning to cross the line from amateur to something else....?  It's one thing to see a bird, but now I am using my voice and ears to locate calls from various birds.  I didn't think I would get to that stage ever, but it's happening. 

Before going on a search, I now research the bird online and listen to the calls.  I have begun to do this with the Elegant Trogon. This is yet another challenge for myself this summer as they are nesting in Madera Canyon.

But back to the Verdin.  I remember my first time hearing a different voice in my bird garden this spring.  I have gotten used to the sparrows, hummingbirds, mourning doves, thrashers, cardinals and house finches along with their calls.  When I heard the Verdin's voice for the first time, it was distinct and made me focus to attention. That was the first time I understood the value of listening.

Another post is coming up where I used only sound to help located the Yellow Warbler but more on that later.  I don't mind this Verdin messing up the sidewalk because it's a real treat to have a diverse population of birds on the grounds at El Presidio. More tomorrow....

A New Visitor

 Here's my story.  So the bird feeder.  Everyday I have the same visitors stop by.  We all know each other very well....there are my House Finch friends, Costa and Anna Hummingbird friends, Sparrow friends, Morning Dove friends, Thrasher friends.....okay let's just say I'm popular. :)

 I feel like at times I'm being used and that they just take me for granted.  Squatters really. Ooooh if they only knew the money and food that goes out to them!  Every morning, my friend in this pic waits for me.  Sitting on the branch at around 6 in the morning, we both have a conversation face to face.

My early morning departure before school starts.

You see...they're starting a family here at El Presidio.  The nest is already built. And again they need my support! And like an enabler, I'll do it because I can't say, "No."

 So I've gotten used to their "talking" and "screaming" at me around the garden.  Until I noticed my very OCD hummingbirds "spilling" juice on the ground.  Did they go mad?  Saturday morning, I drink my coffee.  Sit by my bird window. And hear a new song in my garden.  I look out the window and discover the culprit.....

 I grab my camera and get shots of the hummingbird and newbie on the feeder to discover that my memory card isn't in the camera!!!!  Quickly I grab the card out of the computer and miss the two sharing the feeder!  Bummer.  BUT I did get a shot of our new visitor.  And it brings a smile to my face.  Welcome little buddy.  PS.  Be aware of the feral cats and hawks in the area.  There is one freaky orange cat especially that can jump faster than you can fly. But he spooks rather easily.  My hummingbird friend is good at chasing him off.

A Verdin.  Today a Verdin stopped by my garden patch.  And I feel lucky.

PS.  To Warren, Bob, and all of my other birding friends across the ocean, I discovered today that we also have a variety of Tit that I am so envious of in your area.  And it's this little guy above. They are the only member of the Penduline-tit Family (Remizidae) found here in North America!  How cool is that?!  Apparently they have a fondness for sweets which include hummingbird feeders:) And a side note to myself...I need to clean my windows.

And speaking of new visitors, here is a shot of Momma Owl whooo I reported on this past Friday.  Apparently she has been nesting here for 3 years and has raised an owlet or two every year.  I wish her the best as she nests here in these dangerous lands.  The wildlife refuges can't do anything about this.  The nest is protected federally and I was reminded to remind others of this.  However we are a school of over 2000 people and several people believe it's best that things be kept quiet.  But there are others of us who will be watching.....carefully.