Monday, June 15, 2009

Photo of the Week


I've wanted a hibiscus for years, but somehow never thought to get one. This one caught my eye at the garden center when I went to get plants for my deck pots and I just couldn't resist. It will reside on the deck for the summer so I can see it up close for awhile. I love these things.
And then, as you can see below, the bluebirds held their ground after the chickadees left and finally were able to start building their own nest in "their" house. There is a great supply of dry pine needles in my neighbors yard and it was fun to watch the female work her little tail feathers off carting great beakfuls of needles into the tiny portal for days on end. She built a beautiful nest while her beau sat on the perch and watched, lazy critter. Now she seems to be depositing eggs each day, but not until he comes and checks out the yard and the nest to see if it's safe for her. I guess he's good for something!
They seem to have brought along an adolescent fledgling from an earlier brood. This little guy (he's actually as big as the adults now) still has the baby speckles on his breast and he sticks very close to one or the other of his parents while he's here. He's feeding himself, however, and should be going off on his own soon. I haven't been able to get a good photo of him/her yet.

13 comments:

BumbleVee said...

beautiful hibiscus...and sweet little bluebird.

we have a nest of robins in the juniper just outside our high wall around the patio. They use the wall as a runway... racing along it and jumping down into the juniper bush. I can hear faint and tiny pepping sounds coming from the nest now...so... I will have some babies hopping around out there soon...I hope they stay off the road!

JudiA said...

I love hibiscus too - yours is truly beautiful. GREAT photo of the bluebird. I have really enjoyed reading your bird adventure stories Mary. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I was eying up hibiscus yesterday at the garden center too, they are so beautiful. I didn't get one though, i was there for another rose bush. Pretty bluebird photo too!!

Shashi Nayagam said...

Gorgeous flower MaryO and what fun to watch birds nesting.

sandy said...

Love the photos and that looks like a western bluebird.

Serena Lewis said...

what a pretty colour of hibiscus...i can see why you couldn't resist it.

i'm so glad to hear that all is going well for the bluebirds.

lovely pics, mary ~ :)

Linda Fleming said...

What a great shot of the bluebird sitting on the ever popular nesting house.

Your hibiscus is gorgeous! What a great color.

Mike Fleming said...

Gorgeous hibiscus, and you've gotta love the bluebird, looks like he's posing for you.

HElen said...

Beautiful flower and such a pirceful bird photo!

Michelle Eaton said...

That's a beautiful flower.

The little blue bird is so precious! I think I will put up a little bird house when I get my own home someday.

Carla said...

Love your hibiscus. Great composition. Glad the bluebird won.

Michelle Eaton said...

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I left you an award on my blog. There is no obligation to take it though.

Michelle :)

Bear said...

oh Mary
I love your beautiful little bluebird- thanks for taking a pic of him - finally I can see what they really are like in real time well U know wot I mean??!! and I adore your beautiful Hibiscus such a pretty colour
love n hugs bear xoxoxoxoxox