~~By NM-GRL
(Cross-posted from InsightAnalytical)
UPDATE March 15, 2010
Robins faked me out….after being gone for several days….they were all back this morning hanging out! This time I counted about 16…and got a pic of a large group frolicking in the bath! I have no idea where they went off to…they must be floating around the area rather than sitting in my yard all day! Still wondering why they are still here–unless the weather is cool enough for them and they also think further north isn’t so great yet!
***
Things have been very busy here, what with my trying to learn how to invest in the stock market with some new efforts at self-education and Slick’s bout with the vet-dentist and 10 days of tracking multiple meds. He finished everything and his follow-up on Friday gave him the all clear, but he will have to have his teeth cleaned every year from now on.
When I came up for air on Friday, I noticed something curious. A small flock of robins, about 12 in all that had been hanging around my yard, were suddenly gone.
Here in southern New Mexico, robins usually have come through the city lower down in the valley by the end of January, which is much more lush and a bit warmer. In past years we’ve seen a few up here (we’re maybe 1,000 higher in elevation) but most stay down lower and all pass through the area within a few days as they continue heading north. We have had a couple up here that have overwintered in the arroyo over the last few years, but this year was not one of them.
So, it was quite surprising to see the robins appear in late February (instead of January) and stay…and stay…and stay in the arroyo and my backyard!
- A Robin Indulges…
At times about 6 robins at a time were crowded into the birdbath partying all at once!
This character was simply adorble…
Now it may not be such a big deal to most people up north, but down here this is a big deal for me. Coming from New Jersey, I was used to seeing robins all the time but it’s so exciting to see them hanging out in my yard, which they never have done before. But this is an El Niño year, so odd things happen!
So heads up, they’re heading your way up to all of you way up north!
Another odd sight I haven’t seen that often is this: the peach blossoms open (way too early as usual in February), and snow on the Organ Mountains at the same time:
Meanwhile, this is the first spring that I’m using the porch that we enclosed last summer. It’s doing exactly what I wanted it to do, housing all my plants in preparation for planting. I buy “doubles” of plants and split them to get 2 for the price of one! Several varieties of tomatoes, including a new one for me called “Solar Fire” which supposedly can take the heat, Ichiban eggplant, and basil which I still have to split, are all waiting patiently for things to get a bit warmer. Now, I just have see if I can get pimiento peppers, my favorite for growing in these parts.
- Waiting…
The geraniums started blooming well over a month ago and continue to look wonderful as we wait for official spring on March 20!
Open Range Ramblings 