Iridescent Anna's Hummingbird

Below is the same Anna's Hummingbird in four pictures.  I think it is fascinating how the iridescent feathers light.  This explanation is from Cornell Lab of Ornithology;
The iridescent colors of the gorget (throat feathers)  are the result of the refraction of incident light caused by the microscopic structure of the feathers. The refraction works like a prism, splitting the light into rich, component colors. At certain angles little or no light is reflected back to the viewer and the gorget can appear black. As the viewing angle changes, the refracted light becomes visible in a glowing, shimmering iridescent display.

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird

Oak Titmouse in the Pine Tree

Here is an Oak Titmouse in the pine tree.  It was looking for bugs among the pine cones.

Oak Titmouse

Oak Titmouse

Oak Titmouse

Below is a juvenile California Towhee, notice how its feathers are still coming in.

Juvenile California Towhee

A Light Night Drink!

We haven't seen the little skunk "Pepe Le Pew" in the last four days.  However last night the BirdCam took a picture of him taking a drink at 3:56 in the morning.

Skunk

I really like Tillandsias and they seem to do well in our garden.  

Tillandsia,

Tillandsia,

A variety of Tillandsias in a glass basket.

I bought some of these Tillandsias at the bromeliad show in May and Mike bought this one below Tillandsia Secunda.  It is the largest Tillandsia and this one is about 20 inches wide.

Tillandsia Secunda

The following week Mike brought home another Tillandsia Secunda only this on is in bloom has a bloom stalk.  Here is a picture of it in the garden path.

Tillandsia Secunda

It's hard to see how tall it is so I took another picture of it outside this door to my glass studio.  It is about five feet tall.

Tillandsia Secunda

Here are some more Tillandsias that Mike brought home.

Tillandsia

Tillandsia bloom

This one sits in the Japanese maple tree outside our front door.

This Tillandsia Xerographica is almost a foot wide. 

I like the shape of this Tillandsia Andreana

Pepe le Pew is setting up residence!

When I came home from work today the little skunk was on the steps.  He looked up at me and his tail when straight up, fortunately he was facing towards me.  

A skunk on the steps, I prefer the concrete rabbit

He didn't spray and went on about his business and slowly made his way down in the garden.  I suggested that he should just move along and he did!  Down to the little waterfall in our garden and got a drink.  That is when I made may way to the front door and into the house to grab my camera.

Skunk

He continued towards the front door digging around the rocks looking for grubs to eat.  Then he went towards the back side of the house.  Since Mike also saw him two days ago at about the same time of day, I'm thinking he has set up residence near or under the house.  I'm sure this story will continue!

A few birds from the balcony

Here are a few birds that I photographed from the balcony.

Spotted Towhee

Hooded Oriole

California Towhee

Little Visitor

Mike came home from work today and was greeted by this little visitor!

Skunk

This is a small skunk, the brick is only 11 inches long.  Mamma skunk can't be too far away.  One morning last week I saw a mother skunk with five small skunks at the ground level birdbath.  I don't know if their den is on on our hillside or if they are passing through.  They disappeared into the bushes before I could get my camera.  The good news is that they do eat rodents including rats.

Epiphylum explosion!

The epiphyllum has exploded with blooms!

Epiphyllum

Epiphyllum

Epiphyllum

Here are a couple of pictures that I took about ten days ago.

Epiphyllum

Epiphyllum

More Orioles at the feeder

Hooded Oriole,

Here's a one minute and twenty one second video of  several Orioles at the nectar feeder.

Hooded Oriole,

The Orioles have arrived

The Orioles have arrived and are busy at the nectar feeder.

Hooded Oriole

Dueling Hummingbirds

The BirdCam caught these two Hummingbirds at the nectar feeder.