Celebrating the ordinary
I like bright red blossoms and so do Ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus coloubris). We are frequently seeing these tiny birds at the Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) blossoms. I wanted to get a photograph, and with camera in hand, I chose this spot to wait and hope.
We are currently enjoying our annual visit by cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum). They only appear as the berries begin to ripen on our neighbor’s downy serviceberry tree (Amelanchier arborea).
It’s good to watch to watch plants coming to life again, and I’m also glad to see more wildlife. I’m seeing more bees – large and small. I can’t identify most of them, but I can usually spot Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.). I learned recently they’re not bumble bees, although they certainly look similar. Carpenter bees have a shiny black abdomen, and are often referred to as the bee with a ‘shiny butt’. This one was getting nectar by puncturing blueberry blossoms.
Our cold, snowy weather continued this past weekend, and I was glad to watch our birds from indoors. I decided to try the video feature on my camera, and was pleasantly surprised with the results. My son (and webmaster) then uploaded the videos to YouTube. This one gives you a good idea of the weather and the challenge for our feathered friends.
Note: click the bottom-right corner of the video to display it in full screen mode. Press the “Esc” key to exit full screen mode.
The arctic vortex reached Lexington last week and our temperatures hovered around 0°F (-15°C) for several days – our coldest temperatures in a decade. The main part of our water feature was covered with ice and snow, an unusual happening.
