Once Upon a Walk Report - Part Thirteen

8,937 images edited from Folder 17 photographed from 11/05/17 to 10/7/18. The story behind my Once Upon a Walk Reports (OUaWR) can be found in Part One but don't go reading that just yet, stick with me here, please. A lot of time went into this edition, more than even I realized. Long story, shortened... 

From June 30th to July 8th, 2023, I began editing Folder 17 but I got distracted with photos of a monarch butterfly Docken and I grew from December 21st, 2017 until January 15th, 2018. That project became this post, Once upon a Monarch Butterfly but don't go reading that right now either (unless you really want to and have a bunch of time on your hands). Somewhere in the midst of all that I abandoned the WIP with Folder 17 and having chosen 217 images from the 8,937 original images to consider for a OUaWR. Fast forward to this post on October 27th. That got me curious as to where I had left all of this OUaWR nonsense and while everything seemed really familiar, I began a second effort editing Folder 17, already trimmed down from the 8,937 images to a mere 2,647 images a year ago summer. I had, over the course of 16+ months, forgotten about that effort. It wasn’t until a few days ago when I went to name a folder for this recent round of edits that my computer told me… “The name "OUaWR-folder-17" is already taken. Please choose a different name.” OS X is so polite, thank you. In the final mix of the two Folder 17 edits between mid-2023 and now I ended up with 77 photos to post here (although I will probably have second thoughts about some of those). 

If you followed all of that, congratulations and let me offer my sympathies. 

These are mostly in the order in which they were taken. I think.

Euphorbia

A raven and a horse having a symbiotic relationship

This Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) was special for me. Usually I can barely get a single shot off before they fly off. This particular bird not only allowed me to take lots of pictures, it let me follow it around and this happened on a couple of different days in the same basic territory.

Condor Squadron out of Van Nuys Airport. When I first saw them there were 5 planes. These are WWII, North American AT-6 airplanes. I still see three of them on occasion. One of these pilots landed on the 101 freeway one day in October, 2018. The pilot said he had a complete engine failure. He was okay.

Back to the black Phoebe, the same day. I left and came back. We chatted. It was interesting.

This ground squirrel liked Docken so much that it was perfectly poised a couple of times to climb right up her leg. We named it Gomer. Yes, Docken was delivering bird food.

Male, Calypte anna

American bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus). Another really difficult bird to track and follow. They travel in flocks of 10-42 birds moving quickly between scrubs and trees, eating small insects. I always try to pick one bird and stay with it.

Male Calypte anna

Female Calypte anna

Gulf Fritilary during oviposition

Same black Phoebe, different day.

This is the male Allen's hummingbird I named Rusty. Rusty and I had a thing going. He was very cooperative on many days.

Still Rusty, these two images taken from the same spot with a slight turn on my part and the background and lighting took a different direction. The thing is... there were 35 pictures taken between these two. Here's the trick, you need to make the bird (other animals too) both curious about you and eventually comfortable with your presence. I talk to them. I also make little bird sounds that seem to catch their interest. Wild birds are incredibly intelligent creatures, and many species are capable of forming strong bonds with humans. Over time, they start to recognize you and exhibit specific behaviors, such as approaching you for food or perching near you.

It's important to remember that building trust with wild birds takes time and patience. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises, and always approach them slowly and calmly. By following these guidelines, you can create a positive and rewarding experience for both you and the birds.

Here's one of the in between shots.

Rusty again, a different day, sitting in a palo verde tree.

Three shots of a Gulf fritillary on black sage (Salvia mellifera).

Back at home. Eschscholzia californica, the California poppy with ox eye daises (Leucanthemum vulgare) in the background.

The ancient rose bush on the front walkway. The best smelling roses you've never smelled. Docken always says she can smell them in her head whenever she sees a picture. So this is for Docky.

2018... There were 42 bazillion flowers at home. These are Dimorphotheca sinuata, the glandular Cape marigold, native to South Africa. I hear the Republican party wants to send them all back. Weird.

California poppies and Shirley poppies

Che bella la luna

The gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Pretty sure this was Rusty again

Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus

The Condor Squadron again, this time heading to home base

The valley carpenter bee (Xylocopa varipuncta) Zeroing in on Salvia waverly in the backyard.

Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and elegant clarkia

Just one shot from Doc's and my visit to the Japanese gardens in Lake Balboa. Just because the bird is so beautifully punk looking. You can find the full post on that visit here.

The same Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas) and elegant clarkia, next day.

A bee enjoying Papaver rhoeas pollen.

Papaver rhoeas

Phoebis sennae, the cloudless sulphur

Male Calypte anna

Gray bird grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens), one of the largest wild insects in southern California. I can't even begin to explain how much of a problem I find these pests to be.

Papilio rutulus, the western tiger swallowtail on plumbago

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

This is Jack. Jack was a backyard male Allen's hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin). He was here dominating mostly the backyard for over four years. Their average lifespan is five years.

Gulf Fritillary on a Baja fairy duster (Calliandra californica).

This is either an immature male or a female Calypte anna hummingbird. Usually when I have to second guess they turn out to be males.

Backyard, giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) on Buddleia davidii

 
This is Barleria obtusa, the bush violet. My sister gave Docken and me 2 or 3 of these, I believe grown from seed from her garden several years ago. I currently have two half barrels overflowing with bush violets, a 10 gallon terracotta planter outside my bedroom windows, about an 80" spread in front of the fence between my side and back yards and about another 65" wide crop outside below the utility room windows. The 1/2 barrel in the backyard contains the original plants while everything else was cuttings from there. I've never seen it self seed. Sis may be pleased to know her gift went as far as it did. Here's her recent post showing off Barleria obtusa in a floral arrangement.

More of Rusty. Rusty was my pal for quite some time.

Papaver rhoeas

Phoebis sennae, the cloudless sulphur on its host plant, Senna bicapsularis.

This and my previous dive into editing photographs from years past not only had me relive those specific moments but also the events surrounding that experience. I was recalling in vivid detail conversations I had with Docken, where she was and what she was photographing when she was close by but also wondering how she was doing when she was elsewhere in the garden or when taking pictures at home. It was like stepping onto a time capsule of fond memories.

Recent events of a political nature have me desiring a deeper dive into my relationship with nature and more specifically the animals I encounter. Let’s face it, animals often express emotions in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner. Their joy, sadness, or fear is frequently more readily apparent than in humans, who may mask or suppress their feelings. When you connect on their level animals offer unconditional love and acceptance, free from the complexities of human relationships. Oddly enough the only photos here even vaguely depicting humans are those of the WWII planes flying weapons of war.

Creatively I find a greater aesthetic appeal in non-human animals. Their diverse shapes, colors, and behaviors, can be a rich source of visual inspiration. Animals have long been used as symbols in art, literature, and mythology. Their symbolic meanings can evoke powerful emotions and inspire creative thought.

It’s also therapeutic. Interacting with animals reduces my stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. Spending time with animals helps me process difficult emotions and trauma. Observing animal behavior fosters empathy and understanding in me of other living creatures, leading to more compassionate and creative expression. It's important to note that the reasons for this connection can vary widely from person to person. Some may find solace in the quiet companionship of a pet, while others may be inspired by the wild beauty of nature. Ultimately, the bond between humans and animals is a unique and enriching one that can fuel creativity in countless ways.

Get the picture?

My dear friend Bowie from 2021. She's a California scrub jay. She has a deformed beak. I used to bring her acorns and other goodies. I still miss her company. The lifespan of a California scrub jay in the wild is around 9 years, so Bowie, if you're still out there please feel free to stop by.

A special dedication to my dear cat, Lucy who is patiently purring in my lap while I proof read this post before publishing. Lucy is 18 years and seven months old.