Scruffy

I like pigeons, really I do, but these two are certainly doing their best to uphold the image of pigeons as a scruffy, disreputable bunch of bandits.

Seagull and Prize

A seagull displays his prize.

(Ok, technically, he's getting ready to run away from all the seagulls that want to take it from him, but he certainly looks like he's posing proudly.).

More Fungi

This one was on a tree near the road. I have no idea what it is, except sort of slimy and oozy and Halloween-y.

And this one was in Lake Park. I don't know what it is, either. Sadly, someone else had spotted the tree first and had broken a number of really interesting looking growths. Still, this one shows promise, if it's left alone. Just look at the way it fans out.

SpiderWatch

Just a reminder, my other blog, SpiderWatch, is back in business. Well, it's been in business for a while, intermittently, but there are several new posts on it since the last time I mentioned it.

Another Fritillary in the Huntingon Beach Central Park

More Passionflower in the Huntington Beach Central Park

Technically speaking, it's an undesirable weed.

It's an awfully pretty undesirable weed.

False Advertising?

This definitely got my attention. I'm not sure that it will entice anyone into the store, however.

A Desk That is Also a Pipe Organ

I just learned that someone has built a desk that is also a pipe organ. Opening and closing the doors plays notes on the pipe organ, and the right tune will also open a secret drawer.

The best part? It isn't electronic; it's wood, carving, and design. I had no idea the world needed such an item, but it did. It is definitely richer for the work.

I hadn't heard of Kagen Schaefer before, but I think I'll be paying more visits to his site to see what else he's come up with.

And More Hungry Birds!

I guess even in Southern California the birds like to tuck in in the fall. Actually, I think birds just like to eat, period.

A black phoebe keeping an eye out for bugs.

They're very quick and graceful when the do spot them, diving down, grabbing, and returning to their watch point with no wasted time.

I think this is a Nuttall's Woodpecker.

Talk about fast! It was up the trunk, around, and onto the next tree in no time.

How Long Does It Take Snails to Eat Paper?

Also known as Snails eat paper?! Just a small link to one of my favorite blogs, Am I Bugging You Yet?

Vanessa cardu took the time to photograph snails eating paper, and to make an estimate of how long it took them.

It made me smile. I hope you do, too.

Spice Finches Munching in the Huntington Beach Central Park

Today's "hungry bird" post is dedicated entirely to the spice finches enjoying the all-you-can-eat buffet near the park waterways.

I only just finally fully sorted out that they are also nutmeg finches and occasionally also called mannikins or nutmeg mannikins, thus ending a certain amount of confusion on my part.

Fritillary in Huntington Beach Central Park

I cannot find the words for the wonderfulness of butterflies.

Their wings are fragile, but they carry the butterfly for its entire life.

They are small, but they make an entire day weigh nothing at all.

Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

These sculptures, mysteriously crafted and hidden in libraries as gifts, are wonderful: Mysterious paper sculptures - Central Station Blog post

There's an earlier article here, as well.

I don't know if I want the mystery solved or not.

Cover Gripe

Ah yes. Komarr. The book in which a monkey and a mannequin go to war.

The book, I might add, is excellent and most unlike its cover. I got re-hooked into the Vorkosigan saga thanks to Cryoburn and am now finding myself rereading them in an eccentric, largely thematic order, despite the fact I had other books planned. Lois McMaster Bujold is good at what she does. Very, very good.

Whoever threw this cover together, on the other hand....

More Fungi

I love the pattern on this fungus, the way it almost but not quite blends into the tree trunk. It almost covers a fairly large area where, at some point, a branch was cut off low down the trunk.

Tentative identification via Gardenweb is that it is a Ganoderma applanatum, fascinatingly also called the "artist's mushroom," not, unfortunately for its beauty but for the enduring nature of any bruising to its surface (Apparently some people draw on them. Hang on. Let's see if I can find a more artistic example somewhere... Oh, here's a set, and here, and there are examples here, too. Who'd have thought? I do so love the net as a way of Finding Things Out).

Anyway, the Ganoderma applanatum can also apparently live for dozens of years, which is fascinating. I'll have to keep an eye on this one. Assuming, that is, it is a Ganoderma applanatum and not some other flat fungusy thing. In any case, It's fascinating and I'll keep an eye on it.

Flamingos

I mentioned a while back that I liked those goofy pink lawn flamingos. I thought today I'd share some of my collection.

This goofy fellow lives locally.

Actually, "flamingo" might not be quite an accurate description for him, but he's in the general family, if not the same species.

A wonderful fountain in Laguna Beach. I wish I could remember the artists' name!

Tea and flamingos. Does it get any better?

Just do as he says, and no one gets hurt.

Some real flamingos at the San Diego Zoo planning to call their agent to see what's happened with their royalty checks.

Oh, and about that wonderful six-foot (or thereabouts) flamingo? I went back and looked. The shop is called Shown Galleries and Garden (or that is what the sign says). There are no hours posted, but I happened to get there when the proprietor was unloading something, and he said it's only open on weekends (I'm not sure when). The magnificent flamingo was a gift, and is made out of "something like" paper mache. I must confess, my curiosity is far from satisfied.

Curiosity aside, however, I'm extremely happy such a thing exists.

Trees in Huntington Beach Central Park

One of the many things I love about the park is the number and variety of trees that grow there. That and the number and variety of birds that can be found sitting in them.

More Hungry Birds in Huntington Beach Central Park

I'm so glad that the park has semi-wild, unmown areas where the birds can congregate. It makes the whole place so much more alive. And these guys are pretty cute, too.

Images from the Civil War Reenactment in Huntington Beach Central Park

Images from a Battle in the Civil War Reenactment at Huntington Beach Central Park

What I've Learned about Snails Recently

They are hermaphrodites.

One snail can parent 118 eggs (Thanks, Eilzabeth Tova Baily)

In an emergency, they can self-fertilize (again, thanks Baily)

In other words:

If there is one snail in your yard, you are already out numbered.

Sunset in Huntington Beach Central Park

Evening in Huntington Beach Central Park