Scissors Weed and de Duv.
Der mudder Duv was eating seeds earlier and she's pretty used to me, since I allow her to nest in my yard now to feed the neighborhood's cats, I suppose.
Anyway, that is the plant, and the flower, of the "Scissors" weed. I don't know what the botanical name is but we used to make the long pods into "scissors" when I was a kid, so it's in the Kiddielore from WAY back there. Now, go have fun with your weeds. But, be sure to pull that that sort up, and this is why. It makes corkscrew twister device with a sharp as a tack seed delivery system that is out to get you, or your dog, if ever a weed seed was designed to do such a thing.
Ah, gardens and weeds... We have rampant weeds every year because we leave some of them in until the migratory birds that eat them get their fill.
This practice is probably the bane of our neighbors but 50 years ago the doves and other creatures came here for a winter feeding ground, and I frankly feel sorry for these creatures who have done this for possibly millions of years. We have a lot of migratory birds here because the whole of California is part of the Pacific Flyway. I just wish we could have afforded a big coastal property because I would plant a huge bird garden for them. We have a tiny respite sort of garden and they come back year after year.
We get Chipping Sparrows and Phoebes, as well as other fly catchers, like Western Kingbird and Cassin's KingBirds, Phainopeplas, and all sorts of Warblers, and lots of Doves, Jays, Humming birds, and Towhees, Finch of all varieties, the Three species of Oriels, etc. This whole area is full of a variety of birds because a few people also feed seeds so that brings in Mountain Blue Birds and the Flickers. We also live on the edges of a huge Preserve that is still recovering from big fires in 03 and 06, I think those are the years. If we don't feed these least of all brethren, they will risk their long flights up the coast with less muscle and energy.
I'm really surprised how many birds we have "in common". The Phoebe babes are about to fledge from over my front door. With any luck they will overwinter at your place! Not seeing to many flickers on the front yard this year. I think the grubs are on a down year. Two years ago they were so bad we hardly had any grass growing.
ReplyDeleteI missed your comment for some reason. *shocked smilie*
ReplyDeleteHow wonderfully lucky to have a nest on your doorstep! Oh how lovely that it's a nestful of little Phoebes.
When they fledge they will all line up on a branch and the parents will feed them. They are so cute when they do that. Grubs in lawns. That is usually taken care of around here by little battalions of skunks who come through at night and dig these tiny little holes all over to dig up the grubs. So the Flickers get the grubs? Aren't Flickers beautiful?
Thanks so much for your comment!