They're Back!!!

The monarch butterflies that is!! Every year in November thousands of monarchs migrate to a special grove of eucalyptus near the beach. It is an amazing sight to see when the air is warm and there are thousands of butterflies flying overhead!! On cooler days you have to look carefully because they look like leaves hanging on the trees. But you see one flutter and you know it's not really a leaf!! They can't fly when temperatures are below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The amazing thing is that they have never been here before. But, they somehow find their way here. Every year we love to go and watch the butterflies. Mike took these photos.

My Hummer

No I don't have an SUV!!
What I do have is a backyard, that I'm trying to transform into a paradise for birds!! Hummingbirds are one of my favorite! We have a few that frequent the feeder and flowers in the yard. Do you know how hard it is get a hummingbird to stay still long enough to snap a photo?? I've been trying for several weeks. Finally, I got lucky. Isn't he/she (I don't know how to tell a male hummingbird from a female, do you?) adorable??

Birds are one of my favorite animals. Wouldn't it be great to fly like a bird?? The view of the beauties of the earth would be fantastic!!

Backyard Beauty

It's amazing how many small beauties there are in my own backyard. I discovered some this morning while weeding and wanted to share them.

People seem to hate spiders but I think it is really cool how they can create such a wonder as a spider web.

For some reason we have had a plethora of mushrooms in our yard this year. I think they are very cool.

This little succulent has a very pretty reddish border.

Foxglove is the plant that the heart medicine Digitalis is made from. Hummingbirds like it too. I love the beautiful pattern on the inside.

What beauty is in your backyard???

The Biggest Caterpillar Ever

My tomatoes have been looking wonderful. But, I noticed today something was eating them. So, I went searching for the culprit. I must admit, I gave out a "EWW!" when I spotted this huge caterpillar devouring my tomatoes. Then I became intrigued with it's coloring and thought it was pretty cool. The baby(the one of the bottom) had a death grip on this tomato!! They are now save and sound in a glass jar, and I will see what happens. I googled hugh green caterpillar tomato and found this link. I'm amazed that Heavenly Father can take such a gross bug and put a beautiful pattern on it!! It was very hard to spot though so great camouflage!! Hopefully there were only two and the rest of my tomatoes are safe.

Fine Feathered Friends

Our local bike trail is a great place to spot wildlife. I've been trying to bike ride a few times a week. This week I brought along a camera and shot these quail crossing the path.

I was so happy the didn't scurry away quickly as they usually do.

This bird really intrigued me. I had never seen anything like it before. I think it might be a green heron. Does anyone know for sure??

I was trying to find an egret. But I spied this beautiful white bird instead. Not too sure what species it is either. So, if you know please tell me.

A Rarity

Mother Nature treated us to a wonderful rarity last night and this morning. A magnificent summer thunderstorm! I just love it. I know that for some of you thunder and lightening are common occurrences. But, here on the Central Coast we only see this incredible phenomenon once every few years. I have always, enjoyed it! Definitely lets you know WHOs in control here!!

Mornings

I love mornings!! I am an early to bed, early to rise type of person. I love the morning air!! It's cool and refreshing. Peaceful is a good word to describe mornings. We all get a new start on a new day. I love it!! Here are some of the morning glories that brighten my fence.