WatchinTheSky's WunderBlog

Last Updated: 2:28 AM GMT on May 21, 2013 — Last Comment: 4:18 AM GMT on May 23, 2013

	July Already

Posted by: WatchinTheSky, 4:30 AM GMT on July 03, 2012

July 2, 2012 evening

It's July already and a couple weeks into summer. We are a few degrees below normal today (85) and should be around 80 for the next 3 days. A little low off shore spinning up Coastal Eddie and cooling us down. Eddie is supposed to team up with a high over south west to give a chance for some monsoonal flow later this week. A little early for real chance, I think. Hoping for more monsoon than last year.

No rain for the last couple months, no real chance for significant rain for maybe four more months, unless we get a gully washer from the monsoon.

Almost a full moon tonight, by the time time I noticed the moon up, I had little time to compose a shot and no time to work out some nice settings.

Lesser Finches have been entertaining at the fountain lately, need to clear some clutter and try for a better shot or two.

Soggy but clean bird.

Hoping everyone a fun but safe 4th, despite some of the weather challenges.

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1. calpoppy 2:04 PM GMT on July 03, 2012
What is your sugar count up to??? We have way to many fledglings this year! Including lots of hummer fledglings. Have a Happy 4th!! Member Since: February 18, 2008 Posts: 33 Comments: 2433

2. WatchinTheSky 7:23 PM GMT on July 03, 2012
Hi cal! Awesome flag, I like it :) I have never been able to figure out if I am looking at a fledgling hummer or not. Young male orioles, sure. I tried putting a log on my hummer/oriole blog to track the sugar and I kept up for a while but the last few weeks got too busy. I kept buying sugar - for sure! lately, it has been 2-3 gallons of mix per day. That's about as high as it gets (barely keeping me out of the poor house!) Seems like you (your area, Llano anyway) are not so hot yet, only low 90s? Hope you and Mr P have a fun and fire free 4th! Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

4. calpoppy 9:45 PM GMT on July 05, 2012
I am no hummingbird expert, but I notice an influx of smaller drab hummers in June. So where there was 6 hummers now there are 12! Looks like I have more rain in the forecast for monday. We now have 2 roadrunners and a cooper hawk took out an oriole while it was on the feeder! Bees are now comming back I should not have said anything! Lol Member Since: February 18, 2008 Posts: 33 Comments: 2433

5. WatchinTheSky 8:17 PM GMT on July 06, 2012
Too many hummers here to notice an increase, but I am noticing pin feathers on a few so must be some molting going on. We had a hawk dive into the backyard Wednesday, trying to get a ground squirrel that has been desiring my garden. Speaking of, almost, haven't heard about Shorts or friends for a while. Any this year? Looks like by tomorrow we will be up to normal temps and stay there a while. But WU says no chance of rain here for the next 8-10 days, hope you get more! For the first time in long while, I can see a little build up over Palomar/San Jacinto ranges - teasing.. Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

6. BriarCraft 8:35 PM GMT on July 06, 2012
Your hummers look so peaceful and well-fed -- a far cry from the feisty rufous hummers around my place, who are always trying to kill each other. We've got a slight increase in numbers this past week, although nothing like the feeding frenzy that happens during nesting season. I think your birdbath setting has a lot of potential for some great shots when the sun angle is just right. Speaking of your garden... How's it doing these days? Member Since: June 21, 2004 Posts: 49 Comments: 2419

7. calpoppy 10:30 PM GMT on July 06, 2012
Looks like I don't have rain in the forecast for monday! It was there and now its gone. Do you think TWC is messin with me!!! Member Since: February 18, 2008 Posts: 33 Comments: 2433

8. WatchinTheSky 10:47 PM GMT on July 06, 2012
Hi BC, my garden is pretty much tomatoes this year, sun golds mostly and they are just now starting to take off. Finally warming up a bit, tomatoes are liking it, I think, if I can keep them from drying out! There is some basil and some peppers - hot and sweet, but not much. I do need to remove some background clutter and play with direction for some fountain/bird shots :) I see the NWS San Diego just issued a heat warning for us, hottest Monday and Tuesday at around 100 (ours was coming). Maybe that's where calpoppy's rain went. What's this I hear about WU becoming part of TWC? Do we think that will be a good thing? Bit of a side note, I just relocated a fair sized probably Cal King snake from the entrance to our building to across the street into a good sized field. I hope he stays over there, the road is a bad place for snakes. And now my hands stink, that's the thanks I get? Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

9. BriarCraft 10:46 PM GMT on July 17, 2012
Obviously, you didn't bother with gloves. What is it about snakes that is so stinky? As I recall from younger days when I used to handle garter snakes, that stink persisted even after washing. Member Since: June 21, 2004 Posts: 49 Comments: 2419

10. PugetSoundPost 1:25 PM GMT on July 18, 2012
Hi WTS! A cloudy morning here again. The sun should come out at least partially by later in the day. It looks like you have a nice forecast - summery but not too hot? We finally have our garden in place (we have for awhile now) that my kids are taking care of. It is mostly peppers - a lot of them in multiple varieties - but we need more heat and sunshine to speed them up. I have only two tomato plants this year and I see that the first tomato fruit has set now! I think they will turn out fine by summer's end. My two varieties are Early Girl (we have to go for short season types, generally) and a Sweet 100. Pretty simple and always reliable performers for us. In days-gone-by I used to like to try a variety of varieties and even more unusual types, but life has speeded up so much that the "juice" has been squeezed out of them, it seems like, with not enough time or focus on my part. Maybe life will swing back that way again in a few years? Yes, the wedding is coming closer and faster. It is coming together but a lot of things yet to do. This has surely been the main focus for me this summer. Maybe it is good that it hasn't been too super great weather-wise so far - less distractions! Member Since: October 8, 2001 Posts: 155 Comments: 612

11. SBKaren 4:52 PM GMT on July 20, 2012
Want some tomatoes? I have a few extra! Member Since: February 21, 2005 Posts: 191 Comments: 14187

12. WatchinTheSky 6:32 PM GMT on July 20, 2012
Hi Karen - Nice! YES, please! That is one good looking harvest. The toaster oven in the background reminds me of a tasty treat that I have been waiting for when enough of my tomatoes ripen up. A couple handfuls of various kind cherry tomatoes cut in half, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with some 'pasta herbs' and maybe a dash of salt. Into the oven (broil maybe) until 'pruney'. Spoon onto toasted french roll (or ?) lightly coated with pesto. Oh man, now I am hungry! I know what's for dinner tonight :) Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

13. SBKaren 1:36 AM GMT on July 22, 2012
How funny! That recipe you just recited sounds like one that someone else shared with me. She puts it on pasta though! I have finally given them all away, but round 2 is coming up soon! I actually have some lettuce and radishes I can pick now too. Member Since: February 21, 2005 Posts: 191 Comments: 14187

14. PugetSoundPost 2:33 PM GMT on July 26, 2012
A summer day has started for us! Clear sunshine this morning and it should reach into the 80's! Nice! We are finally, but barely, into our window of time when we most reliably have "summer weather", lasting until mid August, when after that the weather becomes less reliable. However the forecast isn't calling for anything too extreme for the next week -70's and maybe hitting low 80's at times, with variable amounts of morning marine layer. My two tomato plants are doing very well this summer. I think their location is a good one, allowing for collection of the most heat possible. And, now we even have a lot of little tomatoes set on the vines, so they are rolling along! Far from any harvest yet, however, as opposed to your SoCal gardens! Member Since: October 8, 2001 Posts: 155 Comments: 612

15. WatchinTheSky 5:28 PM GMT on July 26, 2012
Hi PSP! Sounds like your summer weather is right on schedule. Here's hoping you get a nice harvest from the tomatoes :) Ours are doing nicely, great for grilling/broiling and scooping onto toasted bread with pesto, yum. Was just checking in on my backyard 'birdcams' and caught a couple of adult male hooded orioles snacking. Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

16. BriarCraft 8:26 PM GMT on July 28, 2012
Your tomato recipe in #12 sounds intriguing. If/when I get any ripe tomatoes this year, I'll have to give it a try. After sitting in the ground through June and half of July, the dang plants finally decided to start growing. Okay, the sun finally came out a bit. And I do actually have a few green ones and lots of blossoms now. Hope springs eternal. Now, if the basil would just take off... Member Since: June 21, 2004 Posts: 49 Comments: 2419

17. WatchinTheSky 10:12 PM GMT on July 29, 2012
Hi BC! I looked up 'home gardening' and 'mental condition', number 1 was 'hope springs eternal' followed closely by 'frustration' :) At least in my backyard! Hope your garden is prospering now that summer is here! Your trips have been cool, blogs inspiring - more please :) Member Since: September 20, 2005 Posts: 115 Comments: 814

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