Japanese Basil (Shiso)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  Traditionally, we prepare a roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, other casseroles, veggies, and a pumpkin pie.  I have already baked a pie.  Casseroles are ready to be baked.  Today, the final prep is going on:  the turkey neck bone has been cooking for the stuffing before baking the turkey tomorrow.

Out in my veggie garden, birds are busy getting their breakfast in a cold morning.  I left a Japanese basil standing to see if the plant may return next summer.  The plant still has some dry seeds on.

Oregon Juncos discovered that they liked those seeds.

  "I think I like these."

 "Me, too.  It has a good flavor."

"I don't know if I like it or not.  

I'd rather stick to my regular seeds."

A Returnee in Winter

The other day as I looked through last year's photos, I made a prediction that I would see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet any time.

This morning I proved to be right!   Under the freezing temperature I was on lookout on the patio with a down coat, a pair of gloves and a hat. The rhododendron bush had hard frost sparkling in the sun.

The blue sky was out, but under the patio was still shaded and very cold.  I sensed a little something just zipped across.  When I looked in the direction it travelled to, aha, the long-awaited winter bird was hanging onto the suet feeder.

"I am a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.  I'm not afraid of 

you.  Just hungry for your suet."

"A big bite.  Ummm, delicious."

After a quick visit, it took off to my neighbor's backyard.  Hoping to see you again very soon.

Sweet Sugar Water

After all the flowers are gone, hummingbirds are back to the sugar water regimen.

Even the only left-over flower does not have any more nectar inside.

"It's not sweet anymore.  Whether I really like it or 

not, I have to go back to the sugar juice.  No other choice."

Anna's Hummingbird, female:  "This sugar juice is not bad because 

the backyard owner changes the juice every 2 weeks."

Anna's Hummingbird, male:  "I have just tested it.  I can approve 

that  we can drink it during the cold months."

Cold Morning

After several days of rain, the sun returned but with the freezing temperature.


Under the patio roof, it registered even colder than the official weather forecast.

The left-over summer veggies (fennell and swiss chard) were all frosted.

A Chestnut-backed Chickadee flew in to have some water.

"What!  Hard freeze! Can't have any drink yet."

A good friend needs to broadcast the situation loud and clear.

"No drinking water here.  Wait until the ice melts."

Crowded Bird Bath

Today the sun came out on and off.  During the cold months, I keep only one of the bird baths out to minimize possible damage by frozen water.  So the bath gets crowded in a sunny afternoon.

First, a big SPLASH!  Who did it?  Guessed it?

Right (Golden-crowned Sparrow):  "I am the biggest splash maker."

Left (House Finch):  "Not true.  I AM the biggest splash maker."

House Finch, female:  "Hello, dear.  You've had enough.  

Get out to dry off before the sun goes out."

Purple Beautyberries

For last couple of weeks one Song Sparrow has visited my backyard.

"The morning sun is welcome.  Clean drinking water is here."

"On a sunny day, water is fun to play in."

It's been a few years since I planted this Beautyberry bush, but no one has ever tried these pretty purple berries till today.

"Bittersweet!  I like it once in a while."

When I checked it out later, I learned that birds consume these bittersweet berries when other food sources are exhausted.  No wonder they have taken some time before trying it out in winter.

Standing Tall

It's been a week since the Day Light Saving Time here ended.  Night is long and  gets longer thru Dec. 21.

Lately a few female Northern Flickers fly in to eat the suet in the morning. But not a male one until today.

"Nice to see you again.  Missed me?  Do I look so handsome?"

"I am standing tall.  Looking even better."

"Yummy bugs are known to be around
a pine tree root.  Wish me luck."

A White Beard

Under the cloudy morning sky, birds are flying into my backyard for their breakfast.  More seeds have been consumed as the weather gets colder.  Every morning I replenish with more mixed seeds, roasted sunflower seeds, and new suet into the feeders.

This morning I saw one returnee sparrow.  I heard him talking to House Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and a Song Sparrow in the backyard.

"Ta, ta... do you remember me?  I am one of your cousin sparrows."

"It's been a long time since I was here last time.  I'm glad

 there are enough seeds around here."

"I am a tan-striped White-throated Sparrow."

A Bath in Autumn #2

Under the chilly temperature with sprinkles of rain, I saw a couple of House Finches taking a bath.

Mrs. House Finch:  "Between the storms I'd better get cleaned."

Mr. House Finch:  "Me, too.  Here I go!"

"What a nice day feeling free of all the bugs and dirt before the real winter arrives."

A Bath in Autumn

Black-capped Chickadees live in my neighborhood.  They visit my backyard all the year round.  But I do not see them taking a bath in the summer time as often as Western Scrub-jays, American Robins, House Finches do.  But the other day, in this cool pre-winter weather, a Chickadee was about to do it.

"1, 2, 3.....  ready to dive into the water."

"Boy, did I need this so badly....  A gigantic splash."

"Now I am feeling good after many months."

A Winter Visitor

On the top of a neighbor's sequoia tree, there was a large bird.  I quietly moved close to my backyard fence to take a close look.  It turned out not to be a Cooper's Hawk, which often hangs around here.

"I am Merlin, a kind of falcon."

One of my bird books mentions that he is a powerful flyer without hovering and catches birds in flight by a sudden burst of speed.."

"I don't have luck here and off to another locale to find 

some birds, large insects and small rodents."

Frozen Bath Water

Now that most of the leaves have fallen, the backyard is getting ready for winter.  It  is the best season to observe wild birds.  Yahoo!


The other day began with a beautiful sunrise and crows were flying out for their morning business.

It was below the freezing point in my backyard.  Look at this birdbath water.

Golden-crowned Sparrow:

"Quite slippery.  I need to walk slowly and surely.  

I don't want to break my bones."

House Finch:  "Yup.  Very carefully.  When the sunshine 

melts the water a little, I can still drink it."