Birds of Paradise

We are fortunate, living in San Diego, to have the wild parrots fly north during the summer months. These are little green parrots with red hats. They are really pretty and very, very loud. When a flock of birds fly over the house, it sounds like a flying train wreck. They really aren't very pleasant to listen to. But they are very funny to watch. We have a tree in the back yard that has berries on it. Evidently they totally dig these berries and we will see several in the tree having a snack. They even squawk when they eat. You can hear them but you can't see them. They look just like a tree leaf, and if they are in the rubber tree, they are the exact size of a rubber tree leaf and impossible to find. They watch me as much as I watch them.  They won't be around too much longer, by the end of September, they will have gone south.
This month, the starlings will be showing up to munch on the berries from the tree in the front yard. We have had a lot of  orioles this year. The Blue Jays don't seem to be around as much, but I guess that's because the pickings are better in the east county. The Mocking birds are very prolific and still spend the night hours calling to sleeping brides. There are some nights I just wish they would shut up!

This has been a good year for bird watching. Stick dog chases the little sparrows and finches away, mighty dog that he is. The Phoebe don't seem bothered by him, they just go higher where he isn't able to reach them and wait for a flying insect.

I know that our summer has been pretty cool, but I am also aware that summer really has just started here. The Girl will start school at the end of the month and I can nearly guarantee it will be sunny and hot at school until mid October. Then, before I know it, it will be holiday season! Oh my, better get ready for that now!