Seems strange to wake up to so much snow in April, but there are lots of strange things now. Humans are weathering the coronavirus pandemic by sheltering in place, and the Wild Things are sheltering from the storm in the safety of the cedar tree. Life goes on.
It’s always a thrill to when the first bluebirds of the year arrive in the yard. A sure sign that the mountain is awakening and the joyous season of rebirth and renewal is on its way.
New gear: The Sony 10RX Mark 4. Absolutely love it.
So the first big storm of the winter was about to hit Idyllwild and I decided to head down the hill to The Living Desert for the day. What fun!!!
I so love these joyful little creatures! Tonight was dinner on the deck with the usual suspects – the jay and woodpecker families working toward emancipating their teenagers, a young flicker out on his own, nuthatches working the trees upside down, and the hummer. His territory was in the light and his head feathers turned from green to flashes of ruby red as he moved about. Magical summer evening in Idyllwild.
Love how devoted bird parents are to their teens! This mom (bottom) is delivering a tasty morsel to her teenager. Soon he will be eating on his own and taking his place in the colony. (You can tell the difference between adult males and females by looking at the feathers on their heads. Females have a band of black feathers between the white and red feathers.)
Welcome to your new home on the mountain, Little One!
Mom and Dad have just guided this Little One from the safety of the nest to his home in the great outdoors. It took him a little while to get accustomed to the brightness of his world, and he spent quite a while with his eyes closed. He finally hopped to a space in the shade and was finally able to take it all in. Welcome!
This is the season I look forward to each year. (Full disclosure: I say that about all the seasons.) This is the season where young birds leave the nests and are cared for by their doting parents until they can fly and feed themselves. The next generation of wild things make their homes on this beautiful mountain. And the mountain always provides for them.
This handsome teen has been waiting for his mom and dad to bring him some food, in the way he has always known. But it’s nature’s way to teach independence to all things, and this young one is no different. He will only be fed now when he flies after mom and dad, strengthening his wings and discovering his true place in the world – in the air, soaring above us all.
