Orchids come from nearly every climate. This one, Masdevallia coccinea var aurea, comes from Andean cloud forests and really puts on a wonderful display when in bloom. I don't grow them personally although I've wanted to, since the summers in San Diego get a bit too hot for them.
Ever wonder why animals sometimes turn their head sideways when they look at you? Maybe this gull thought I would look more like a clam if he turned his head sideways? Or maybe he was trying to hear better? Sounds like a science experiment is called for!
Here's a picture of my birthday teapot at a show in Balboa Park. No, it's not my birthday. We were just displaying it at a pottery show.
The photo wouldn't upload today. I'm guessing that the photo server is down for a moment. Meanwhile, I spent the day potting baby orchids out of flask. Most have been in way too long and looked none too happy. I was also moving furniture around to get windows put in tomorrow. Overall, a pretty productive day. Hot though. Whew...
The weather's turning hot. It was over 100F in some areas today. Many people head to the ocean to bask in the cool ocean breeze rather than suffer in the heat or suffer the electric bill. This fisherman was enjoying the breezes at San Diego Bay. I ended up at the movie theater, partly for the air conditioning, and when things cooled off a tad, fixed the sprinkler manifold. I called a sprinker company a few weeks ago and they wanted $75 just to look at it. Highway robbery for something I could have easily described over the phone. So, I ran over to Home Depot with the old manifold in hand and spent the afternoon with glue and pipe cutters in hand. If all goes well, the sprinkler system will be working again tomorrow. Over all, a reasonably productive day.
I'm not entirely sure but I think this is a male House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus. A pair of them were grazing on seeds along the river.
I call this one unflattering moments... Face stuck in a cup, dog doing his duty, what's a guy to do? Hope he brought a pooper bag...
I went down to the Mission River Preserve to visit the ducks over the weekend. However, the ducks had all ducked out. They had migrated back up North to take advantage of the Spring bounty. Of course, they'll be back next winter. In the meantime, here's a picture of a Great Egret, Ardea alba, that was out enjoying his new found peace and quiet.
Here are some of my favorite photos, just in case you didn't catch them the first time!
