Oak remorse

Started watering at daylight this morning, hoping I'd have enough energy to finish. When I saw new bear damage, I figured cleaning up the damage would push me beyond my limit.

Luckily, some big strong men (with big heavy cameras) showed up and made quick work of the damage. What would have been an hour of torture for me was five minutes for them. I've decided to have my son cut down what remains of that Chinkapin Oak tree. It consistently makes lots of acorns that bears consistently tear up the tree to get to. Here's how it looks now.  Just a waste of precious water. Not smart to keep doing the same thing, expecting different results. LOL

When Mike Gray designed the viewing blind, he installed a ground level opening for photographers. However, I'd never seen anyone, other than Mike, actually use it. So when I approached the blind, thinking no one was in it, I was surprised to see someone stretched out on the ground photographing quail through the opening. Of course, I flushed the quail when I went charging in. I'm sure they returned promptly though.

Birding is somewhat slow both at the oasis and in town. The hybrid Anna's x Rufous Hummingbird is still at the town feeders. It's confirmed to be a juvenile male now that he's sprouted a new gorget feather.

Also a juvenile Anna's male hanging around that's very difficult to see or photograph.

A cold front is predicted in a few days. Maybe it'll bring some interesting birds with it.

Missed out on the fun!

A group of naturalists visited the oasis yesterday. I wished I could have been there. I was stuck in town recovering from a stomach virus that my husband was still sick with. It's all over town. My case was short, but violent.

In town, the hybrid Anna's x Rufous Hummingbird is still present. As best can be determined, it's a juvenile male. It really loves the Turk's Cap flowers. Since birding is really slow, I spend a lot of time photographing it.

That, and watching hurricanes (Helene & Milton) on TV, is about my main activity lately.

Hybrid hummer in Alpine

Yesterday late afternoon, when it was too dark for decent photos, I took this photo of what I posted on ebird as an Anna's Hummingbird. It bothered me a little that there appeared to be a hint of rufous on the tail, but I dismissed it, since with a bright red throat patch, it had to be an Anna's. The appearance of rufous was just an artifact of light, or dingy feathers, or something, I assumed.

First thing this morning birders, Dania Sanchez & Greg Reynolds, showed up wanting to see an Anna's, having read my ebird report. They were doing a "Texas Big Year," and needed that species for their list.*

We searched diligently all over the property. After a while our Merlin Apps recorded what it ID'd as an Anna's. We concentrated our search at that location. Soon Dania located the source of the call notes, but I told her that couldn't be an Anna's because I saw rufous on it. Had to be a Broad-tailed or Rufous, I suggested.... or maybe insisted. And so it went like that repeatedly for nearly an hour. (We had to sort through other hummers too, such as Rufous, Black-chinned, and Ruby-throated, all chasing around inside the canopy of a large mulberry tree near the feeders.) It seems quite humorous now, but was frustrating at the time. Finally, when I couldn't locate what I considered to be an Anna's, I began questioning if this one could be a hybrid, so I texted their photos to expert Kelly Bryan.

 

Photo by Dania

Photo by Greg

I was relieved to leave the problem to Kelly. It was beyond my expertise. Soon he replied that it was indeed a hybrid Anna's x Rufous female. I don't know if Dania and Greg can count that in their official tally, or not, but it was an exciting find, nevertheless. 

Soon after they left, other birders showed up, and I assumed word had traveled fast. I took them to see the bird, although as it turned out, they hadn't known about it. Just a coincidence. Right place, right time. They got photos too. Late today I took another photo. I don't have the fancy camera equipment the others have, of course. It'd sure be cool if this hybrid sticks around for a month or so.

_____________________________________________

* I believe their goal is 500 species, and I think the all time record is a few over that number. They're currently at around 475, with three months to go. I was so focused on finding them an Anna's that I didn't pay close attention to the stats. After leaving our ponds in town they headed to the oasis and picked up one they needed (Sage Thrasher). Probably got, or are getting, others also.

It bothers me that I can't respond to your comments. I just don't know how to fix the problem. Be assured I appreciate them all though.

No summer monsoon this year

Hanging in there, keeping my spirits up. Yesterday the oasis got a small shower, no runoff, but I'm grateful for any rain we get. Also cooled off a bit so I got my son to put a concrete patch at the bottom of the slab going up the big hill where tires had dug a big hole getting onto the slab. Lee also spent about an hour filling a bad washout on top of the hill with dirt. I appreciate him more than he'll ever know. (Ladder is to keep the concrete from being driven on before it sets.)

I've been spending most of my time in Alpine. Enjoyed having a Great Crested Flycatcher at our ponds there for several days.

Otherwise, not much to blog about. No news is good news!

Another lesson learned

Nearly two years ago I built my delightful water feature in Alpine. Here's how it looked in March of last year. Birds loved it.

But I've since learned there can be too much of a good thing. I focused on growing cover nearby for the birds to feel safe when coming in for water. It never occurred to me that the cover I was creating was too close. Snakes or cats could be lurking in the vegetation. Bird visits slowed considerably.

So now, since I can't convert lawn into cover (the husband police at work here), it's best I just clear out the flower bed (mostly Turk's Caps) that I planted behind it, and let the birds use the grape arbor above for their cover. 

Not much interesting migration activity yet. Probably not cold enough to the north yet. Still no summer rain at the oasis. I'm hanging in there. That's all I can do.

Fall migration chugging along

It's a testament to my determination that javelina haven't destroyed the back water drip since I re-strengthened it a few years ago. I've taken hundreds of video clips of their rough-housing. Painful to watch.

 

Several days ago I had a couple myiarchus flycatchers in Alpine. I struggled with the ID of one that is apparently a juvenile, or possibly a Brown-crested Flycatcher. First photo of adult  Great-crested Flycatcher by me, second photo of yet undetermined by Kim Morse, but likely juvenile Great-crested. (Her camera is way better than mine.)

So I got to the oasis this morning and first thing I saw two myiarchus flycatchers.. again. Still working out ID, but I think they're both Brown-crested Flycatchers. (Photos are both of the same individual.)

One reason for my ID is the mouth lining is yellow-orange. This photo from the trail cam.

And to further keep me confused, there is also an Ash-throated Flycatcher present. I was very gratified that when a Black-capped Vireo showed up, I could confidently ID it. Whew!

Fall migration trickles on, even though the oasis hasn't had a single monsoon this summer. Early June was our one and only so far. 

UPDATE: Ebird reviewer said the two myiarchus from the oasis are juvenile Ash-throateds. Still no word on the Brown-crested/ Great-crested at Alpine. The two were just there that one day.

Alpine habitat work

No monsoons yet this summer, but rain is in the forecast. Migration is a bit slow so far. Things going good, considering what the future holds. (It's not like we're going to get younger. LOL)

A willow tree by one of our ponds has a tendency for huge limbs to break from it and block the alley. My husband called me, while I was at the oasis watering yesterday, that it happened again. 

So early this morning he cut the parts blocking the alley while I loaded them into his pickup and a trailer. He's 82, to my 84, and probably in worse shape than I am. So he'd cut a branch or two, then sit while I did the loading. Same system we've had for 20 years, but getting harder.

We got it done. Alley is open. Luckily, after a nap, I was good to go again.

(Elm tree in foreground)

The city isn't accepting brush at this time so we have to find a place to dump it. I'd be happy to make another brush pile near the ponds but husband won't agree to it.

Birding starting to pick up

The past month, or more, has been poor birding and not much in the way of odes or butterflies either. Now a migrant or two is starting to show up so I anticipate more interesting times. Today got up to 109° so I watered for a couple of hours this morning, then finished this afternoon in short bursts. 

It seemed strange to see a young mule deer without an adult at the tank, but I assume it's OK.

No interesting birds. Maybe the best migrant was a Warbling Vireo.

That's about it. It seems like my son Lee will finally get moved down here this weekend, which is exciting for me. I'm not sure how much time he'll actually be able to spend here, but it's a start.

My health is about the same. No dental problems at the moment (fingers crossed), and just the normal aches and pains. I feel grateful that I'm not dealing with cancer, like so many people are, that I can't even think about complaining. My oldest son started radiation today for his cancer and my one brother's body has had just about all the radiation it can tolerate. My youngest brother will soon be starting his radiation. It all weighs heavy on me.

I enjoy and read all your comments but for some reason I'm still not able to respond to them.

Blog glitch

About a week ago my blog started not letting me comment on comments. I'm not sure I'm even getting comments anymore. I had an expert check all my settings, etc. and it seems to be a problem that google is having. So until they fix it, I want you to know that I enjoy and appreciate all your comments and would respond if I could.

Yesterday my son and I went to the oasis to service feeders and water. I also got him to do a small project for me, which I really appreciated. I'd like to get all the horsetails out of the back pond, but that would be a huge project that would kill the hackberry tree that sprouted in the pond, so  he cleaned the horsetails out for now. It's possible that by letting the pond go dry for about six months this winter the horsetails will die.

before

Not only do they not fit into the native look I prefer, but they get dry and die back a lot, not to mention blocking views of birds for birders.

after

(The first photo was taken in the early morning and the last one in the afternoon so lighting is different.)

Blooms, but not many birds

It's been brought to my attention that I haven't blogged in well over two weeks. For anyone that's concerned because of that, all is well here. Weather has been great; cooler and occasional light showers. Nothing interesting going on, just same nesting species and plenty of things blooming. Oasis looks lovely! 

Sea Urchin (coryphantha echinus)

Cactus Wren nest-building

Any day now migrant hummers will start showing up and before I know it fall migration will be in full swing.

I can't complain about my health. It's good for an 84 year old. At this stage of my life, I'm losing peers, friends, and relatives. Two brothers and one son are dealing with prostate cancer. My ailments are very minor, so I'm grateful for that!

Another lovely oasis day!

Yet again, I arrived shortly after daylight. Checked the tanks and no alarming amount of leakage. Enjoyed the lushness since the rain, and the wonderful quietude that is always lacking in Alpine.

I noticed that a critter had defecated not far from the seed feeder, but I saw no evidence of bear. Not sure what it was. I think the scat is composed of berries and berry seeds, not feeder seeds. Perhaps a Ringtail? Seemed like a really large assemblage for a Ringtail though.

My intrepid niece found a Common Poorwill nest on a slope along the driveway in. One egg hatched today, but she rushed away so as not to stress the adult that flushed, so can't tell if the nestling is alive or not, but I would presume it is.*

Back at the oasis, I had noticed during that big rain last month that a portion of a walkway flooded, so I dug a ditch near it and built the walk up with the dirt. The ditch heads to my newly planted Faxon Yucca, so it should work out good for that too.

And after rain, pruning has to be done, so I pushed myself to the limit doing that as well. Had to nap before heading back to town.

I think we'll get some rain from Hurricane Beryl, but none yet. South of us a ways got an inch yesterday. That's how it goes.

Here's a blooming Sea-Urchin Cactus that my awesome niece photographed today. I stopped to look at it as I headed back to town but it was closed up by the time I went by.

_______________________________________________

UPDATE: This morning my niece did a quick check on the nest and found the baby all fluffed up. The second egg will hopefully hatch today.

All good!

I just love precocial* chicks, maybe because when I was a child we raised chickens. Here are a couple of clips of quail chicks from my trail cam yesterday. They're finally big enough to climb into the drip bath. (Somehow I didn't get the year set right on the cam. Every time the batteries run down I have to reset it and sometimes it messes up. The temperature is right though.)

Dragonflies are abundant at the oasis, and surprisingly, so far, mosquitoes haven't been bad. Today I had not one, but two, Five-striped Leaftails. That was a treat! Otherwise, just the usual suspects.

One of my most favorite plants that grow naturally on my property is Faxon Yucca. I only have one  patch (of three) that are well outside the oasis. Here's my most recent photo, which I took in 2020, but they bloom almost every year.

Years ago my sister bought one at a plant sale and recently harvested some new sprouts from it. She gave me one, which I planted at the oasis today. When they get big they're somewhat like palm trees. Hopefully, I'll live long enough to enjoy it big. Gonna water it a lot. Right now it's under this grass.

I took my sister's advice and covered it with grasses and twigs to shade it until it gets well established. I just hope critters don't uproot it. I have a big problem with that. We'll see. Faxon Yuccas are actually relict plants from when times here were cooler and wetter, but will do well with extra water.

The other two native species that I love from my property are Fragrant Ash and Mexican Blue Oak (also a relict species). They both grow up on top of our mountain. I haven't had any luck with the ash, but do have a Mexican Blue Oak grown from an acorn off a tree in our small motte on the mountain.

_____________________

* Precocial chicks are those that can walk, run, and feed themselves soon after hatching. Ducks are precocial also, which I adore equally.

Lovely oasis morning!

I arrived at the oasis around 7 AM to service feeders and then head back to town. Immediately upon walking over to the mostly empty hummingbird feeders I heard and saw a male Broad-billed Hummingbird. That was awesome!

When I finished with the feeders I spent a little time surveying the abundance of dragonflies present. Mosquitoes weren't too bad. Was happy to see a good number of California Spreadwings.

I had spent a total of three hours at the oasis, yet when I got back to town I was totally exhausted and had to take a long nap. Good thing I didn't need to water trees, but next time I go, I will. Old age sure sucks!

Doses of nature

 

Today my sister took her son and granddaughters to see the oasis. She texted me from there that they had found a lone weak baby quail and what should they do for it? Unfortunately, all I could tell them was to put it down and walk away from it. If it's not strong enough to keep up with the adults, it won't survive. Such is the nature of nature.

There's a small volunteer cypress tree that I've been nurturing, and a bear has damaged it twice now. I think it'll survive, eventually. If you look closely you can see a cord that I had tied to it to keep it upright after the previous time a bear had ravaged it.

And there was new damage to this Mexican Pinyon tree. It should survive also.

It was so hard for me to manage the hoses and pump to fill the 11,000 gallon tank yesterday. I had to get my sister and niece to run up and help me. When I looked inside to see how fast the tank was filling, I was greeted by drowning rats. Ugh! Another ample dose of nature.

The mosquitoes have arrived at the oasis in force, my sister tells me. I'm not anxious for that much nature right now, but I'll go in a couple of days, long enough to fill feeders. 

Question: Why is it so difficult to create a bear proof trash can (or seed feeder)?

Answer: Because there's considerable overlap between the smartest bears and the dumbest people.

Fortunately, the electrified feeder is working. I toyed with the idea of removing the zapper setup and concreting the feeder in so a bear can't jiggle seed out of it. That way I could make it prettier with rock perches etc. BUT.. I can't bring myself to do it. Maybe a strong bear could wiggle it loose, especially if the concrete hadn't cured good yet, and it had access to the ports. If it's not broke, don't fix it, even if it goes against my nature to want to beautify it.