Painted lady butterflies come through

Last year we had an unusual swarm of Painted Lady butterflies migrate through LA, and this year they have returned. Last time, they were all over our orange tree in front, but this year, it's our Pride of Madeira that they're loving. It's a popular flower, as the bees are all over it too. (Air traffic may be down in general due to Covid-19, but not here!) They've been regulars in the garden since the last week of March, and this appears to be the last stragglers. I think they're coming out of Mexico, but not certain, and they don't seem to have a regular migratory pattern. In any case, they're fun to watch when we have so many.

Our jacaranda is in bloom

We planted our jacaranda as a 15-gallon tree nine years ago. Last year was the first year we started to see some real hints of the famous purple flowers. This year it is finally coming into its own.

Apricots!

We planted our Katy apricot tree in 2002. It has never produced more than two or three apricots a year, which we unwillingly share with the birds and the squirrels. This year, after 17 years, we had an unexpectedly abundant crop! No idea if it was simply age, or last year's (lack of) pruning, or the late spring rains this year. But we're thrilled!

Early morning skunk visit

Very early this morning, when George came down for breakfast, he found this visitor in our backyard. Skunks are around a lot. We've had times when we've seen the evidence of them digging in the yard, and we certainly smell them on occasion, and we've seen them mostly running around at night. But this was a rare daylight sighting.

Early morning rabbit visit

As George was eating breakfast, he saw out the window this unusual visitor to our yard. We'd seen a lot of other wildlife, but this was the first time we'd seen a rabbit.

Orioles and scrub jays

Here's a scrub jay enjoying the bird bath. If you click into Flickr and look at adjacent photos, you'll see a couple short videos of the scrub jay, and another of some orioles and finches in the fountain.

Foxtail agave bloom

Our "foxtail" agave (Agave attenuata) is in bloom for the first time. It usually takes about ten years before they shoot up a magnificant stalk like this.

December backyard view

I just liked the way the light looked this afternoon, and the white roses and bougainvillea blooms by the fireplace.

Coyote

(Or click here to see a video.)

Echo Park fireworks

We always get a great fireworks display on July 4, with views in many directions. Not only can we see official fireworks displays all around the city, but from the size of stuff our neighbors light off, you'd never know fireworks were illegal around here.

Bobcat in our backyard!

George had caught a brief glimpse of this kitty near the grapes a few days earlier, but this morning, he got a good look and confirmed it. We'd never seen a bobcat in our yard before! Must be the heat or drought or something bringing it around. Check out the video!

Our jacaranda is finally blooming!

We planted a 15-gallon jacaranda tree in 2010, and it has grown steadily but never bloomed before. Finally, after seven years, we are getting purple blossoms!

Hawk drops by for a visit

Red-tailed hawks live behind our house, and they have grown accustomed to visiting the stone bench in our backyard, and using our fountain as a birdbath. George captured this shot of the majestic creature just taking off after a visit.