Friday 21 June, 2024

[dewarp]

Hi Folks

I placed another batch of monthly camera club images into my personal images section. See:

https://www.fotofriends.net/showthread.p...22#pid8522

regards - Pete

[Dave]

Thanks for starting a Daily for us, Pete.

I have no new photos to share but at least I can start a Daily for us.

Hummingbird update:

I suppose I'm experiencing empty nest syndrome because Mama (I named her Annabel) and her chicks left the nest.

Several days ago my wife saw one of the nestlings take a short flight - just a few feet, and it told me they were almost ready to start a new chapter in their lives. Two days ago all three were gone. But yesterday my wife saw them again near the nest; Mama was feeding them - a very dedicated mother.

In thinking about the two times Anna's hummingbird have nested in the same plant over the past few years, I've noted some interesting differences:

Anna (the first one) seemed to me to be a more experienced mother. First, she chose a less exposed site for the nest. And she always returned to the nest at the end of the day (it sure got crowded).

Annabel's nest was smaller and a lot more exposed, and she didn't spend the night there once the chicks hatched (maybe because the nest was too small). But I suspect she was always nearby. She was every bit the attentive mother.

It has been a privilege to observe the behavior and development of these amazing little creatures, one I am deeply grateful to have had and will never forget.

[Man From Ironbark]

I am suitably impressed.

Though we have had -4˚C I am still picking capsicums.
   

[Dave]

Hi MFI.

That is a very impressive crop of peppers.

I sowed seeds , mostly tomatoes and peppers, into 15 to 20 pots in the front yard. Two or three never produced seedlings, and one or two are barely hanging on. But the tomatoes are looking promising at this stage: all have multiple blossoms and two varieties (Black Krim and Yellow Pear) have produced their first small fruits. But past results suggest most that ripen will be eaten by various critters.

[Dreamin]

Peter, Thanks for the heads up, I will try to take a look at your camera club images.
I guess birds are like people, some do a good job parenting, some are total failures. I have a Carolina wren that nests in my garage. Over the years, like your hummers, some mommas have taken expert care of her babies, one actually kept the fledglings in the garage an extra week, flying all over and pooping everywhere. One momma took her babies out the door, but left one behind. With luck, I was able to attract her back to the garage the next day with a recording of her baby crying. She had just moved her babies about 300 feet into a large group of trees.
Peter, those are some fine peppers....I forget your seasons are different from mine!!