DAY FOUR - RESCUED BABY SPARROW UPDATE

Well, it's day number four in the Watson home with the baby sparrow that my husband Tim rescued from the middle of a busy intersection last week while out on a motorcycle ride.  So far, it seems that the little guy is adjusting pretty well - eating regularly, staying alert, and enjoying its new home - which today took the form of a small pouch (or "Papoose" as Tim calls it!) around Tim's neck. Adorable.

RESCUING A BABY SPARROW

There are many reasons why I love my husband, Tim Watson. Right up at the top of the list is his gentle, caring nature. He might look like a tough, motorcycle-riding, scruffy-bearded Englishman on the outside. But, get to know him, and you will soon see he's like an M&M - hard outer shell with a sweet, soft center.

Yesterday was a perfect example of this. Riding his motorcycle, he stopped at a light in a major intersection - looking down he spotted a tiny baby sparrow flopping around in the road. It was surely going to die out there if Tim didn't do something about it. So, he stopped his motorcycle - risking his own life, got off his bike & proceeded to direct traffic around the baby bird until he was able to pick it up, stuff it in his leather jacket pocket, and ride home with it.

I received an email at work yesterday afternoon asking if I'd pick up some meal worms on my way home. Yep, never a dull moment in our marriage, I tell ya'!

We are now nursing the sweet little thing back to health - feeding it regularly, keeping it warm - it is chirping away in its little 'nest' we made for it on the kitchen counter as I type this.  One thing's for sure - I can never claim to have a boring life!!...

 

 

THE GREEN PARROTS OF SANTA ANA

When we first moved into our neighborhood in Santa Ana, California we knew we were in for some adventures - this was not a 'cookie cutter' neighborhood with matching pink & beige houses like you find in other parts of Orange County. Which is why we absolutely loved it.

Our new 'hood is known for its history (homes built in the 1920's - '50's, which for California is 'historic'!) and fantastic Mexican culture. But, also is unfortunately known for some local gang violence and other unsavory characteristics of more urban neighborhoods - it all comes as part of the package.

We were prepared for that.

What we weren't prepared for, though, was the last thing we expected to find in an urban environment. Daily, at 7:00am on the nose, we are paid a visit by some of the most beautiful, albeit noisiest, neighbors we've ever had.  The Green Parrots of Santa Ana.

No one really knows where they all came from - originally they likely started from a few domesticated parrots who were released into the wild.  Now, though, their population is definitely in the hundreds, if not thousands.  The cacophony is something to be reckoned with - it's something that takes a bit of getting used to, but then becomes a morning routine.

My husband Tim always asks the most important question, though - "Where do the GO at night?!"  A mystery yet to be solved.

SHOOTING THE MOON

We've been having some very strange weather here in Southern California lately. Well, strange for Orange County in the month of May anyways.  One minute it's boiling hot and sunny, the next it's chilly and raining.

Last night some clouds were rolling through over the Full Moon as the next round of rain was coming in and it felt like Halloween in the middle of Spring. I expected a wolf to start howling and a black cat to run across my path (our black Pug did, if that counts?!?).   It was time to grab the camera and have some fun shooting the Moon.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I love the Spring.  New life blooming everywhere, and I get to exercise my green thumb again after resting it over the Winter.

Yesterday I awoke to a gorgeous sunrise after an overnight Spring shower had dotted our garden in raindrops and felt so inspired, I just had to run for my camera...

Multi-colored basil plants

The English Lavender with its amazing aroma!

Rose buds, dripping with raindrops

Broccoli, making its Spring debut!

A little unwanted visitor, enjoying some basil sprouts

Chives, ready to pick!

Red onion, soaking up the sunrays

Delicate Yellow Violas

Blooming white roses

Fresh Oregano sprouting up!

SOME LOCAL OC NATURE

This afternoon Tim & I ventured out to historic Irvine Park at the mouth of Santiago Canyon for a little taste of nature. Having grown up in Orange County, California in the city of Irvine, I must admit that I had never made it out to Irvine Park until today (kind of like living in Manhattan and never seeing the Statue of Liberty or somethin').  And I was so astounded at the beauty that is literally 15 minutes from our doorstep, I am now looking into an annual parking pass! 

What drew me out there today was the Orange County Register newspaper's wildflower photo contest - I wanted to find some beautiful wildflowers to capture with my camera and enter in the competition. But, once we arrived, I soon realized that there was a lot more to see than just the flowers...

AFTER THE RAINS

Some of my friends and family from England (including my English husband!) probably think I'm a bit nuts for saying this - but, I really do love the rain.  Growing up in Southern California, rain is a novelty. And, yesterday we had a storm roll through So Cal that could appropriately be described as a 'Doozy'... a full-fledged downpour, complete with thunder, lightning and high winds.  It was fantastic.

So, today I felt inspired to capture a few post-rain moments -- the sun peeking through the clouds for the first time since the storm, the light reflecting in the puddles on the driveway, raindrops shimmering on the Spring leaves and fruit in the garden. Little pieces of reflective, watery magic that the rain blesses us with after a storm... Enjoy!

Spring has Sprung!

INCREDIBLE ORCHIDS

I am mesmerized by the incredible beauty of orchids - have you ever looked at one up-close and studied all of the amazing details that are found in just one tiny flower? Each one is unique - like a fingerprint, their 'veins' criss-cross in patterns around the petals. They have animal-like qualities that are even captured in the anatomic names for their parts - they have a 'throat' and 'lips' (And sometimes those 'lips' even have beautiful little curly-cue 'whiskers', as I like to call them - Their very own Fu Man Chu beards!)  

They are so delicate, some would even call them quite fickle, or even 'moody' - like the Divas of the flower world.  Water them or tamper with them too much and they wilt - but, don't give them enough attention or put them in the improper place to get just the right amount of sun & warmth, and they whither away on you. It's a matter of finding the perfect balance and giving them just what they need to stay happy and blooming.

I woke up this morning to find the sun shining on some orchids in our kitchen and felt inspired to capture them in photographs - the following are a few of my favorites of our fickle little Divas...