Video of Male Hooded Oriole

Here is is video of an adult male Hooded Oriole at a feeder.

Screen capture of Hooded Oriole in video

Hooded Oriole

Here are some pictures of a Male Hooded Oriole that I took this morning.  I first noticed it at the oriole feeder and then it flew up to a branch.

Hooded Oriole

Hooded Oriole

Hooded Oriole

Hooded Oriole

An adult male and juvenile female Hooded Oriole

An adult male and juvenile female Hooded Oriole

Red-tailed Hawks Circling and Screeching

A pair of Red-tailed Hawks were circling and screeching this afternoon.  They were moving so quickly that I wasn't able to get both of them in one picture.

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

The Oriole chicks Fledge The Nest

This morning the Orioles fledged the nest in an undramatic fashion. I guess I've seen to many movies or bird documentaries. I was expecting the chicks to jump up and sit on the edge of the nest, stretching one wing and then the other, while looking about before making that leap into the world. Instead they climbed up the nest, onto the branch and out of camera range. Without their weight in the nest, it sprang back up. So hopefully I'll see them or the BirdCam will take a picture of them at one of the Oriole feeders with their parents. Orioles have 1-2 broods a year so maybe they will lay another batch of eggs before heading back to Mexico.

Great Horned Owl

A Great Horned Owl was hanging out in the pine tree this afternoon. It calmly sat there and watched me take pictures from about 30-40 feet away. I hope it sticks around.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

Orioles Feeding Their Chicks

Here is some video of the Orioles and their nest. They are feeding the chicks and doing a little nest maintenance. The male bird has a black bib.

Morning Visitor!

So early this morning I was heading out the front door with video camera in hand to capture some activity at the Oriole nest. Just as I grabbed the door knob I saw some movement and decided to wait. This little skunk was doing some morning grooming.

Skunk at Front Door

Cotyledon Tomentosa AKA Bear's Paw

My Cotyledon Tomentosa (Bear's Paw) is beginning to bloom. This plant is known for it's leaves, that resemble a bear's paw. I like the contrasting colors of the blooms. This is just the first cluster of blooms and many more are starting to emerge.

Cotyledon Tomentosa (Bear's Paw) 

I like the sort fuzzy hairs on the leaves, they are very soft.

Cotyledon Tomentosa (Bear's Paw) 

Oriole Nest with Chicks

We noticed a lot of Oriole chatter under the carport.  It turns out they built a nest in a ficus tree and today I got some video of the parents flying to the nest to feed the chicks.  Here is the set up.

The video camera is on a tripod and aimed at the Oriole nest.

Here is the video.

Plumeria, Intense Rainbow

This is one of my favorite Plumeria, Intense Rainbow. I moved it out of direct sunlight, so now gets morning light and is under shade cloth the rest of the day, I think it is happier.

Plumeria, Intense Rainbow

B. staudtii

I like this view into one of my terrariums. I can look at it from my desk. It's B. staudtii and I like everything about this plant. The texture of the leaves, the little hairs on the stems, the yellow flowers and the orange color of the blooms before they open. Plus it's a begonia that is easy to grow in a terrarium!

B. staudtii