Backyard wildlife July 19 2012

Yesterday it was partly cloudy so I did a little work on my water retention project-translation- building a stone wall to prevent rainwater from flowing out of our yard.  It is difficult since it is also freestanding and I have limited availability on large rocks.  But this method creates incredible habitat for lizards and the insects they feed upon, which brings more birds and mammals, etc.   I know we humans like to pick our neighbors and yard residents but I find it easier to just roll with the changes rather than continually trying to control the environment.   Removing one element could change others.   Removing scorpions reduces the chances of seeing a Western Screech Owl in the yard.   Spraying for insects affects the lizard population as well as birds, who like to scratch the ground for grubs.  

As I worked I heard the call of a Phainopepla, a bird commonly known as the black cardinal because of its crest.  Though not uncommon it is a rare treat to see one in our yard.  They love to hang out in the mistletoe in mesquites, eating the berries.  We only have one mesquite but luckily our neighbor also has one which flows into our yard, which is where I found this juvenile bird well hidden within the branches.

 Some lizards also came out to investigate my work and give their input.

For the last few days now we've had a female Broad-billed Hummingbird get very close to us every time we're on the porch.   It seemed so cute that she took such an interest in studying us so closely.   Today we discovered why her interest was so intense, as she began nest building on our catclaw vine, which grows under our porch's protective roof!   She's a fast worker and by the afternoon it was almost complete!  I was able to snap this picture as she tested the softness of her creation so far!

Thank you for appreciating the incredible wildlife which surrounds us!