2010
03.01
A loud “churrr” can be heard as the Gila woodpecker approaches our veranda and declares the hummingbird feeder is his territory. It had somewhat learn to hang and lick the sugary water from the feeder. With its size, it just knows how to scare off the small hummingbird.
Gila Woodpeckers are dwellers of the Sonoran Desert. They nest in a saguaro cactus. It creates a hole with its very strong head, neck, and a long pointy beak. When it vacated the hole other birds like the owls use it to nest. Their main diet is insects but it also eats seasonal fruits.
It was actually hard taking good photos of this zebra back feathered friend. If it notices small movements it flies away with haste. It took a couple of shot before finally having this one.
Dude, take the photo quickly will you? Posing, drinking and hanging like this is tough you know!
Tags: Gila woodpecker, hummingbird feeder pointy beak bird, saguaro cactus dweller, Sonoran desert bird, zebra back bird Category Flap the Wings |
2010
02.28
New project: Beadworks. I’ve always wanted to know how to make my own necklace, earrings and bracelet but somehow never really get into starting it. This year I’ve got no excuse; a very dear friend of mine gave me a kit and even showed me how to do it! Shubhra, Thank you, Thank you! ^_^
This is the first one I’ve made. It’s made of black onyx and the pendant was originally an earring which I bought online weeks ago (it was just sitting in my drawer for weeks) It was quite big for an earring so I never really use it but now was able to wear it as a necklace pendant.
This was made for me by Shubhra ^_^ Made of fresh water pearls and red jasper.
Here are the other sets I’ve made this past couple of weeks.
Ethnic vibes set – made of onyx and fresh water pearls
Casual wear to formal wear set – made of fresh water pearls and bicone crystals
Beach set accessories – made of natural shell and jet glass
For the love of bracelets – made of silver plated designs, onyx, natural shells and jet glass
Also thank you for the wonderful vase (which she handmade herself!) I set it up as a candle holder and put the shells we got from the Pacific Beach ^_^
Tags: Beadworks, black onyx, fresh water pearls, jet glass, natural shells, red jasper, silver plated bracelet Category Beads |
2010
02.27
It was a chilly Saturday morning when I got up and heard the rain drops outside. I peek outside the window without my glasses and saw an odd blurry object which I know wasn’t a fixture in our patio. Hurriedly, I put my glasses on and saw this
Attention! Line up please!
United we are warm
These are Mourning Doves or Rain Dove or also known as the Western Turtle Doves. The plumage is generally light gray-brown and the wings have black spotting. The eye is a distinctive crescent-shaped, with light skin surrounding them.
This is how it looks like. This photo was taken last October.
coo-OO-oo
The rain stopped, gloomy clouds almost clearing up and the sun shining through. The mourning doves started to stretch their wings and shake their heads. Probably they’ve decided that the warming session is over and so they moved on to the next activity: Quest for breakfast ^_^
Ok, warming session dismissed!
Tags: bird crescent shaped eye, birds in line up, Mourning Doves, Rain dove, Western Turtle Doves Category Flap the Wings |
2010
01.06
Although we did not get to spend Christmas with our family in other countries, we’re glad to have dear friends to share their holidays with us. From Missouri they flew to Arizona to spend this special occasion. We watched an off broad way show of “A Christmas Carol” the day before Christmas and then shared a simple dinner at home. Christmas morning we opened amazing gifts and then prepared for a long drive to San Diego for a nice off at the Pacific beach.
Crystal Pier – San Diego, California
We then visited Sea World. That day was full packed but we got lucky our friends work at AB which owns Sea World and got us ticket passes easy as a breeze. Truly, fun is five times fun when shared with friends!
Journey to Atlantis ride
Pet Stadium
Sea Lion and Otter Stadium
Feeding the Flamingos
Sky Tower Ride
Baby Orcas
A cool Moo that is too cute to ignore!
Next morning, the guys visited the old town while us girls explore the beach, wet our feet, relax as the beach sung its lullaby, took pictures, picked shells(I found my first sand dollar!) and went for shopping where we bought shirts and other interesting souvenirs.
Hi. My name is Sandy =P (Thank you Shubhra!)
Giant bird and octopus art at the jogging area.
Sea Gulls
A nice day for surfers.
Last day at San Diego – we packed our stuffs and had a final look at the beach before we head home. In our hearts we thank the blessings of family, good health, friends, work and God given strength and prayed for continued courage to get through the trials ahead. Most especially, I thank Jesus as HE is the reason for the season.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6
Tags: Christmas 2009, Christmas with dear friends, Crystal Pier, feeding flamingos, Jesus is the reason for the season, journey to Atlantis sea world, Pacific Beach San Diego, Sea World San Diego, waves at the pacific beach Category California US |
2009
12.05
Apache legends tell of a young warrior named Wind Dancer. He was born deaf but could sing wordless but magical songs that heal and deliver good weather. He once saved a beautiful young woman named Bright Rain from a wolf. He then soon married her. When Wind Dancer died, winter came and engulfs the earth but mysteriously ended when Bright Rain started solitary walks. Soon enough the tribe learned that Wind Dancer came back for Bright Rain in the form of a hummingbird to whisper his magical secrets in her ear.
A hummingbird holds a unique charm and ability. They can fly forward, backward, shift sideways and then hover in midair, beating their wings 60 times per second. Such great deal of energy from the smallest bird in the world! Did you know that hummingbirds cannot walk or hop? They are able to perch but because they fly so much they have poorly developed feet.
Minutes after setting up the feeder, the hummingbirds knew that a nectar solution was inside the bottle. I used four cups of water to one cup of sugar for the solution. Heat the water (almost to a boil) then mix the sugar to dissolve it easily. Let it cool and fill the clean feeder.
Have fun setting up a special hummingbird feeder or if you already have, I would love to see your pictures. Just listening to their delicate humming wings as they fly so fast they almost look like blur is extremely interesting. Happy bird watching!
Tags: Hummingbird, hummingbird close up picture, hummingbird feeder, hummingbird solution Category Flap the Wings |
2009
11.21
The old feeder usually feed at least two to four birds at a time so we decided to buy a bigger one which will accommodate at least six. Two birds tried it and minutes after that it was a frenzy party!
They just don’t like it, they love it!
A yellow little tweety heard the commotion and silently observes. As if waiting for the chance to be able to share that feast. Those finches and sparrows were insanely gulping the seeds and occupying all the tube holes! haha
No luck. It flew off after few minutes. Ah! It was a pretty yellow bird, hope it comes back. We should probably put more feeders? Probably when we get a big back yard or our own back yard for that matter lol I think this will do for now *smiles*
Tags: bird feeding frenzy, birds feeding, sparrows feeding, tube bird feeder, yellow bird Category Flap the Wings |
2009
11.01
Remember Wormy? The greenish looping fellow I got from buying a broccoli? Turns out that it’s a member of the moth family and is called the cabbage looper. I could still remember its pale green skin hiding in the broccoli. I’ve almost thrown the poor fellow but put it in container instead and wait till it morphs into something else. Seven days after putting it safely in a container, I noticed the pupae case was already opened!
Hurriedly I searched the corners of the container and saw it hiding on the darkest side. Its hind wings light brown and forewing with silvery white spots. It transformed into a mottled gray-brown moth. It’s beautiful! I did promise I’ll make sure to free it when it’s finally ready. Dawn came and I took the container out in the veranda and before opening the lid, I look at it once again and said my good bye … May the dust in your wings bring you freedom!
Tags: greenish looper, moth rebirth, mottled gray-brown moth Category Insecta |
2009
10.31
Variety of birds started visiting our feeder. I have yet to identify the species of these two beautiful winged animals.
edit: Found out that the bird in the second picture is a Mourning Dove! ^_^
Category Flap the Wings |
