Our mesquites host many of our local birds. Today I saw Northern Mockingbirds, Verdins, House Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, Abert's Towhees and brilliant yellow Wilson's Warblers. A couple of hummingbirds zipped in and then spiralled high above the tree. Several pairs of House Finches flew in and out of the huge mesquite that shades the west wall of our patio, squabbling over territory and chasing away sparrows. They chattered incessantly as they returned again and again for nesting materials. I delighted in watching and listening.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Velvet mesquite
I've mentioned the mesquite trees that grow around the perimeter of our property several times in recent blogs. Early in the year, I was afraid that the drought had damaged them. They were dry and cracking, and showed no sign of life. But in the last two or three weeks they've greened up and burst into bloom. I love the furry blooms of the Velvet (or Arizona) Mesquite.
Our mesquites host many of our local birds. Today I saw Northern Mockingbirds, Verdins, House Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, Abert's Towhees and brilliant yellow Wilson's Warblers. A couple of hummingbirds zipped in and then spiralled high above the tree. Several pairs of House Finches flew in and out of the huge mesquite that shades the west wall of our patio, squabbling over territory and chasing away sparrows. They chattered incessantly as they returned again and again for nesting materials. I delighted in watching and listening.
Our mesquites host many of our local birds. Today I saw Northern Mockingbirds, Verdins, House Sparrows, Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, Abert's Towhees and brilliant yellow Wilson's Warblers. A couple of hummingbirds zipped in and then spiralled high above the tree. Several pairs of House Finches flew in and out of the huge mesquite that shades the west wall of our patio, squabbling over territory and chasing away sparrows. They chattered incessantly as they returned again and again for nesting materials. I delighted in watching and listening.
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4 comments:
That's a lovely tree. I've never seen the Velvet Mesquite before. Has there ever been a year when it didn't bloom?
What a great time of the year. Our backyard birds have been madly dashing about gathering materials for their nests, too. The saying may be "busy as beavers" but I think "busy as birds" would work just as well!
jimmy - I guess we each have our own dreams of seeing birds from other parts of the world. That's why I enjoy your blog so much - you bring a different world to me with your beautiful photos.
rd - Mesquites are wonderful trees. Later I plan to post on the tree's many, many uses. I don't recall ours not blooming. I agree - everything's bursting with life right now. This morning I hear tiny sparrow voices cheeping in the fronds of the palm tree; way too dense and high to see anything, but I bet there are occupied nests inside.
I am glad they've greened up and burst into bloom, Pam. They are beautiful.
Thank you for your visiting and nice comment. That road is a rural road which drives to São Paulo’s highway. And those landscapes that you see are the cerrado’s landscape.
I am glad you like the Solfeggietto!
sonia- They're unusual flowers and very beautiful. They make a terrible mess as they are constant dropping fine pollen and blossoms, but my husband likes them so much he doesn't mind clearing the mess out of our pool.
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