Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Red-breasted Nuthatches fly in for some seeds!

This December I noticed some new birds at the feeders.  They were very quick taking a sunflower seed from the tube feeder and then flying away, unlike a house finch that would sit at the feeder and eat seed for several minutes.  Today I was able to take a few pictures from the kitchen window and identify the them as Red-breasted Nuthatches.

Red-breasted Nuthatch
 
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch
The Red-breasted Nuthatches would fly back and forth from the feeder very quickly, unlike the house finches that would sit at the feeders and look at me.


House Finch
House Finch
 
 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Red-tailed Hawk in the rain

This Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk was sitting in the Eucalyptus tree while it rained.  I watched it fly in and it sat there for about twenty minutes, surveyed the area and shaked off the rain.  Then it flew off in the direction it came.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk
 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Water Hyacinth in Bloom

Near our front door we have a small water feature with a waterfall, goldfish and some water hyacinths.  Each day when I go home for lunch, I feed the goldfish.  Today one of the water hyacinths was in bloom so I took a picture.

Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth
 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Dazzling Dahlias!

     Our local branch of the American Begonia Society held a meeting this past weekend at the home of two of our members, Ted and Larry.  They are such wonderful hosts and we really appreciate their hospitality and allowing us to visit their garden.  They provided a delicious lasagna lunch with wine, beer and soft drinks.  Lunch was followed with an entertaining meeting that was lead by Mike and then we were treated to a delicious assortment of Larry's fine cookies.  All of this in their beautiful garden. 
    Ted and Larry have an amazing collection of beautiful plants including begonias and dahlias!  It is a wonderful garden and a feast for our eyes. Everyone had a great time and I'm sure you will enjoy viewing the following pictures.


Dahlia


Dahlia



Dahlia




Dahlia


Dahlia



 
Dahlia and a busy bee.



Dahlia
 
Dahlia
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
 
Dahlia
 
Dahlia
 
 
 
A very good looking chicken keeping an eye on me.
They also grow incredible begonias
 
Begonia Lotusland
 
 
 
Begonia Freddie
 
 
Begonia Luxurians
Begonia and Orchid
 
 


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Paul's Tuberous Begonias are Truly Spectacular!

Last year I posted pictures from the Gazebo Begonia Show of Paul's Tuberous Begonias (click the link take you to last year's post).  Gazebo Plants and Flowers didn't have a show this year since the begonia convention was being held in San Diego.  Mike Flaherty of Gazebo Plants & Flowers and Paul Carlisle decided to put their energy into preparing and showing their plants at the convention.  They made the convention and won many awards, good job guys!  I will post some pictures at a later date from the convention. 

However I couldn't wait to post these pictures!  Today we took a road trip up to Paul's home in Los Osos, California and saw the most spectacular begonias.  Paul is an incredible begonia grower who focuses all of his energy into growing incredible award winning tuberous begonias.  Paul only grows tuberous begonias and he does it very well!  He has a true talent and you can see it in the following pictures.

It's an explosion of color in Paul's shade house where he grows his begonias.
Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia  Cordelia grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Majesty grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Snow Goose grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia #82 grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Majesty grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Falstaff grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Leona grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Leona grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia Leona grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia Golden Hind grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia 'Fred Martin' grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia 'Fred Martin' grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia #85 grown by Paul Carlisle


Begonia #85 grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia Santa Margarita grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia #85 grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonias grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonias grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia Crystal Cascade grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia Pink Spice grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia #85 grown by Paul Carlisle

Begonia #85 grown by Paul Carlisle


Tuberous Begonia grown by Paul Carlisle

Tuberous Begonias grown by Paul Carlisle