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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Another lesson learned

Sunday is laundry day for me.  I got that accomplished in the morning.  Skies were overcast all day once again, but at least there wasn't any rain.  I had a couple of interesting comments on my post yesterday.  It looks like I'll be meeting several people when I stay at Red Rock RV Park in Idaho when I'm there in June.  One of the comments was from RV Guy who is the webmaster for the campground.  After reading his comment, I spent a good share of the afternoon reading his nature blog about Red Rock.  Almost makes me want to extend my one month stay there.  :)  I could do that.  I guess I'll just see what happens.

In the afternoon, Emma and I headed out to see what wildflowers I could get pictures of.


This Antelope Horn may not look like much from afar, but...

...close up I just love the mathematical symmetry of the blossoms.  After columbines, this is about my favorite wildflower.

This bloom reminds me of morning glories.  I guess I should get a wildflower guide to go along with my bird and butterfly guides.  :)

After our walk, I sat outside with Emma and witnessed a real hummingbird war!  A dozen of these little might mites were buzzing all around the feeder.


The black-chinned hummingbirds have had pretty much unlimited use of the feeder, until a couple of ruby-throated hummers decided to visit this evening.  Then the skirmish erupted!  This male black-chinned posted himself just behind the feeder to keep watch for intruders.


It wasn't long before a male ruby-throated tried to come in for a sip.  That's when the acrobatics began!  It was a melee of tiny dive bombers chasing each other like a World War II  airplane fighter dogfight!
What a colossal display it was!  I took so many pictures that I filled my 1 GB memory stick on the camera!  (that's 333 pictures)

So, what was the lesson learned?  Out of 333 pictures taken today, only those that I've posted weren't deleted, and a couple of those are below my normal standards.    Heavily overcast skies means there is not enough light for me to get good pictures; especially with the fast moving hummingbirds.  Dang!  They looked perfect through the view finder.  :(  Oh well, I'll give it another try if the sun ever shines again.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

3 comments:

  1. Love your pic's of hummer's I have 3 butterfly bushes that they like here in the summer. I got a pic of a tiny one last year and thought I was doing good. All your pic's are great.
    G&M aka donna

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  2. I always think of Star Wars when the hummers get going!

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  3. Congratulations on your 5th grandchild. Someday she may follow in your footsteps and become a talented photographer and nature lover. If not, maybe she'll retire early and have enough time to publish her grandma's collected works!
    See you soon.....Pam & Stan

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