Abundance

Mother, Father, God, Universal Power

Remind us daily of the sanctity of all life.

Touch our hearts wit the glories oneness

of all creation,

As we strive to respect all the living beings

on this plant.

Penetrate our souls with the beauty of this

earth,

As we attune ourselves to the rhythm and

flow of the seasons.

Awaken our minds with the knowledge to

achieve a world in perfect harmony

  And grant us the wisdom to realize that we

can have heaven on earth.

JO POORE

Seems that the hummingbirds are migrating as their two feeders need replenishing almost daily.  Usually these feeders are washed and new "nectar" added twice a week.

This is the feeder hanging
from the kitchen window
where the hummingbirds
are visible from the kitchen table.

And this feeder hangs
in the backyard.

The hummingbirds were flying about waiting for the refill of their nectar as I went to hang both of these. I believe that the hummingbirds are migrating so they "tank up" so to speak where they can. I also observe some hummers visiting the tubular flowers of the three Penstemon eatonii that are planted in the front yard.

Penstemon eatonii
('Firecracker' beardtongue)

Another magnet for flying insects, in this case bees, are the two garlic chives plants also in the front yard. Occasionally hummers have been seen on these flowers as well.

Allium tuberosum

(Garlic chives or Chinese chives)

If one searches the bees are visible. These particular chives are grown for their stronger garlicky flavor tasting rather like a super spicy garlic. 

The weather here in the mornings is definitely not to my liking. I am reminded of the reason Santa Fe, New Mexico, was. There, where the elevation is higher, I recall fog was a rare occasion. 

Below you can observe Shasta enjoying the sunshine. As I note her proclivity for sleeping more thought-out the day, the realization that she is considered an elderly dog occurs to me. Her records show she was born on February 25, 2012. I do so treasure each day with her. AND she is just so ready for our morning walk ... trotting along at a quick pace which in no way matches our pace of a few years ago. Growing old is not for the faint of heart a very wise person once said.

If you look closely at the grape vines (Vita californica [Roger's red grape]) on either side of her, you can see the ripe grapes. 

For reasons I thought were my inadequacy I was unable to write this post. However, speaking with a computer savvy person told me it was that the iMac was not operating as it should. I just quit blogger.com. Yeah, today the posting was easy peasy as the saying goes. And I had a good

Spring Sightings at MuRefuge

This time of the year is so alive with its show of Spring flowers and the green of  leaves opening on the bushes and trees. Newness, freshness and promise is presented with a splash and this season with an explosion, or so it seems. When I go out in the morning to let the ducks out, I notice both flowers and leaves opening, then in the afternoon when I go out to feed Jax, there is more of both.

This Spring brings diversity to the usual and almost everyday sightings of deer and fox. One morning just past while sitting I noticed the arrival of the first Allen's Hummingbird visiting the feeders. As in cycles past more migrating hummingbirds will soon follow. The feeders with the plethora of hummers require filling twice a day. There seem to be at least four different species who come through (Allen's, Calliope, Costa's and Rufous); some stay the Summer like Costa's and Allen's. There is also of course the year round resident, Anna's hummingbird, whose youngsters visit the feeders with voracious appetites. 

Close up of the flowers on the Golden flowering
currant that provide nectar for the hummingbirds.

Golden flowering currant bush

A Pipevine Swallowtail, who lays her eggs on the well established California Pipevine here at MuRefuge, fluttered over my head while I was working in the garden this week. The swallowtail species is so very striking, and in the bright sun when flying they look black, almost like a shadow of a butterfly.

A newly metamorphosed Pipevine Swallowtail in the greenhouse.

"Butterfly spirit approaches the unknown with calm and joyful anticipation. (She) trusts in the mysteries of life to develop its unique gifts and possibilities. (She) believes that even when you creep like a caterpillar, you hold within you the potential for transformation. (She) patiently accepts the pace of natural evolution and expects inevitably one day to emerge and soar. An encounter with Butterfly spirit is encouraging you to take the many small caterpillar steps to build your chrysalis of self confidence. Later, in the larger Butterfly world that is still but a dream, you will transcend into glorious flight."  Butterfly: the Mirror of Transformation, Spirit Animals by Victoria Covell, illustrations by Noah Buchanan.

MuRefuge is home for many different species of Ceanothus most of which are now flowering to provide nectar for any early metamorphosed butterflies.

And last but not least the sighting of most import, since I have never seen one before, was a badger frolicking on the antique farm equipment South of our property. Quite a few years ago the present inhabitant of that property told us of a badger den in that area. And walking about in the Hessel Area we have seen evidence of badgers digging, but a real live badger has never presented itself to me. WOW!

"The warrior Badger spirit is willing to fight to uphold the integrity of its beliefs. Even if in the minority, Badger is resolved never to back down. The hallmark of Badger is its determination and persistence. (S/he) ferociously digs to the roots of truth. (S/he) never lets falsehood remain concealed, however deep it may be hidden. Badger is not impeded by obstacles when it sees a potential beyond."  Badger: the Warrior who Speaks the Truth, Spirit Animals by Victoria Covell, illustrations by Noah Buchanan.

During the Winter past I dug out our small pond which had filled with silt and Dwight reapplied bentonite to keep the water from seeping out of the pond. During that process the Black flowering Sedge was dug up. Let me tell you transplanting an established Sedge is no easy task! I was not sure the plant would survive but the tenacity of this plant was evident as the air temperatures have risen.

And here's a close up of the awesome display

Shasta playing Hide 'n Seek with Coco.
Guess who initiated this game?
Not the alpha dog, Coco.

To bring lightness and match the exuberance of Spring