Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged birds, Cedar Waxwings, flocking birds, fountains, Mexico, Oaxaca, photos on February 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Snowbirds continue to arrive in Oaxaca. For the past several days, Cedar Waxwings have been flocking to my fountain — the first year they have come to Casita Colibrí. They are great fun to watch and seem to have distinct personalities.
Though I must say, they make a huge mess!
Posted in Casita Colibrí, Celebrations, Churches, Creativity, Culture, Gardens, Holidays, Travel & Tourism, tagged Año Nuevo, Agaves Contemporáneos Oaxaqueños, Argiope, Avila Beach, Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Soledad, birds, calenda, California, coronavirus fallout, COVID-19 fallout, hindsight quote, lettuce, Mexico, New Year's Eve, Oaxaca, parade, photos, sculpture, spider, Susana Trilling, Templo de San Felipe Neri, Xochimilco Aqueduct on December 31, 2020| 25 Comments »
Hindsight is the ability to understand, after something has happened, why or how it was done and how it might have been done better.
2020 was a year that most of us would like to forget but that will probably remain vividly etched in our memory banks for the rest of our lives. It was a year our worlds became smaller and forced us to see what was before us. It was a year that we will continue to examine and try to understand. It was a year that has important lessons to teach about who we are individually and collectively.
With a renewed appreciation for the small things that bring joy and give life meaning, on this New Year’s Eve, I wish you all health, peace, and joy in 2021.
Posted in Animals, Culture, Environment, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, tagged birds, books, colibrí, Colibríes de México y Norte América/Hummingbirds of México and North America, CONABIO, hummingbird poster, hummingbirds, Mexico on January 28, 2020| 2 Comments »
In Mexico, the hummingbird (colibrí) is known as the protector of warriors and messenger of the gods — two of the most revered roles in indigenous cosmology. How lucky I am that several of the varieties seen on the poster below continue to capture my attention and fill my heart with joy as they flit from tree to fence to fountain for a bath and zigzag across my terrace playing their version of tag and king of the hill.
Hummingbirds of Mexico and North America poster
Muchisimas gracias to my friend K for the link to this poster from CONABIO (National Commission for Biodiversity). In addition, if these tiny creatures also captivate you, a PDF of the CONABIO book, Colibríes de México y Norte América / Hummingbirds of México and North America is available online with text in both Spanish and English (click title link).
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged birds, Bullock's Oriole, Casita Colibrí, fountains, garden, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on March 14, 2018| 7 Comments »
This morning’s ecumenical gathering of the birds at the fountain — seen through my (dirty) kitchen window.
I think the orange one is a Bullock’s Oriole — the first I’ve seen on my rooftop garden.
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged bird bath, birds, fountains, garden, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, terrace on January 13, 2018| 2 Comments »
This morning’s entertainment on the terrace…
Birds of a feather awaiting…
Bath time at the fountain.
Yippee, my turn!!!
Fun at the fountain is for the birds.
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, tagged birds, hummingbirds, Mexico, nests, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, popular travel destinations on December 10, 2017| 3 Comments »
There may be a population explosion of Casita Colibrí’s namesake…
Hummingbird nest under construction on the far spindle branch of a tree near my balcony.
Mama waiting until the coast is clear — in front of a Guaje tree reflection on my neighbor’s window.
She comes, she sits briefly to test its strength and expansion potential, then is off again in search of more materials.
Next up, she and we await the show male colibríes will put on — hoping to strike her fancy.
The librarian in me can’t help but offer a few references:
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, tagged birds, cactus, flowers, gardens, hibiscus, lizards, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on June 4, 2017| 4 Comments »
… from my rooftop garden in the city.
Opuntia – April 2017
Lizard on the terraza – June 2017
A feathered friend watching from a distance – June 2017
Hibiscus flower this morning – June 2017
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged birds, chain link fence, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on May 14, 2017| 2 Comments »
I have to chuckle every morning when I turn on the fountain — within seconds the birds begin arriving. Apparently, there is a pecking order for bathing. The chain link fence provides an open-air waiting room — a perfect perch for keeping an eye on the bathers below.
Some, like this little guy, are more patient than others.
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged birds, fountain, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on February 27, 2017| 1 Comment »
Yesterday, as my BFF and I sat outside drinking our morning coffee…
…we were joined on the terrace. Nothing like that first sip of the day!
Posted in Animals, Creativity, Culture, Flora, Travel & Tourism, tagged A.M.A.R.I.L.L.O. poem, arboles, art, birds, Edward Kofi Louis, Emiliano Zapata, Espacio Zapata, Greater Kiskadee, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, Primavera amarilla, trees, wall art, yellow on February 10, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Yellow is the color of winter in Oaxaca, be it flora, fauna, or nature-inspired human intervention…
Primavera amarilla (Tabebuia chrysantha) on Calle Porfirio Díaz.
Corner of Calle Porfirio Díaz and Calle de M. Bravo.
Great Kiskadee sitting in the tree next door surveying the scene.
Emiliano Zapata looks out from above the entrance to Espacio Zapata and Atila del Sur restaurant.
A. M. A. R. I. L. L. O.
by Edward Kofi Louis
Aim high in life and, always seek for peace!
Making it possible to share with others;
As the sun always rises from the east! !
Resting down west to respect the muse of nature.
In the light of Life,
Lights in the sight of the truth! !
Living with positive morals,
Onward with the joy of life.
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Flora, Gardens, Science & Nature, Travel & Tourism, tagged African Tulip trees, agave, birds, Casita Colibrí, caterpillars, flowers, garden, Mexico, Oaxaca, orb weaver spiders, photographs, photos on December 17, 2016| 12 Comments »
Last week, a friend of mine in California challenged me to post a nature photo every day for seven days on Facebook. I had participated in one of these challenges nine months before, posting mostly photos from the countryside. This time, I decided to acknowledge the gifts that Mother Nature keeps surprising me with in my rooftop terrace garden.
African tulip tree seen from my terrace, July 6, 2016
Neoscona Oaxacensis orb weaver spider, Sept. 9, 2016
Night Blooming Cereus early morning, July 21, 2016
Lesser Goldfinch (I think) on the terrace chain link fence, Nov. 12, 2016
Io moth caterpillar munching on plumeria leaf, Oct. 31, 2016
Hibiscus flower taken Oct. 19, 2016
Agave and Stapelia gigantia early evening, Oct. 24, 2016
And, in the spirit of the season, they are my gifts to you. Hope you like!
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, Music, tagged birds, Leonard Cohen, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on November 11, 2016| 4 Comments »
The view from Casita Colibrí after the election in el norte…
What are you looking at?
Not liking what I’m seeing.
Contemplating the future…
Bird On The Wire
by Leonard Cohen
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Like a worm on a hook,
like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee.
If I, if I have been unkind,
I hope that you can just let it go by.
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you.
Like a baby, stillborn,
like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me.
But I swear by this song
and by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee.
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch,
he said to me, “You must not ask for so much.”
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door,
she cried to me, “Hey, why not ask for more?”
Oh like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Rest in peace, Leonard Cohen. Thank you for your poetry, your music, your voice, and your grace.
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Gardens, tagged birds, Casita Colibrí, fountains, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos on May 20, 2016| 3 Comments »
Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Science and Nature, tagged birds, colibrí, hummingbirds, Mexico, Oaxaca, photo, photographs on August 14, 2015| 6 Comments »
Luís interrupted his Sisyphusean task of sweeping the African tulip tree blossoms off the driveway this morning, to come upstairs to show me this baby hummingbird sitting on the driveway.
There’s a lot of hummingbird action going on in the African tulip tree above and we decided it was best to leave baby alone and hope mom flies down to give it some help.
Posted in Animals, Archaeology, Culture, Environment, Flora, tagged #DíadelaTierra, #NoPlaceLikeHome, birds, Earth Day 2015, environmentalism, Mexico, Mixtec, Monte Albán, nature, Oaxaca, photographs, photos, popular travel destinations, trees, Zapotec on April 22, 2015| 2 Comments »
When atop the massive plateau that is the archaelogical site of Monte Albán, one can’t help but reflect on the pre-Hispanic cultures that built and inhabited this place; cultures whose gods were of the environment — the elements and the agricultural gifts, to man and beast, those elements provided.
Today, as we celebrate Earth Day, perhaps we need a return to the old gods…
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View From Casita Colibrí 