Speaking of Parrots
Speaking of parrots, my neighbor across the street, C.L., has been reporting quite a show with the wild parrots passing through and making hay of my wilted sunflowers. I had been lopping off the deadheads, but when he told me that it was food for the parrots I left them on. I hadn’t seen them, however, till two days ago when I rushed out and three big, green birds were perched on the sunflowers bent over double nibbling the seeds. They scattered before I could get a good shot. But, I was just out photographing the aphid mess on one of my stands of corn, when they showed up.
These two were taking off by the time I changed to my long lens.
Two Nanday Conure parrots fly to my neighbor’s Acacia tree
They landed in the tall tree next door, one on top.
One Nanday Conure parrot in another neighbor’s tree
They looked around for a couple of seconds, then swooped over a neighbor’s yard and down the street.
Nanday Conure Parrot watching from tree
Local legend has it that a couple decades ago, at least, a pet store burned in Santa Monica and a half dozen parrots escaped. They became wild, again, added to their numbers and now there are about 30 of them that pass through from time to time, making quite a noise. I can hear them in the distance.
Meanwhile, a California Towhee had earthlier concerns in my flower island.
Burgundy amaranth young shoots
And I grabbed these two shots while I was sitting waiting to see if the parrots would return.
For sheer beauty, Amaranth does not disappoint. And look what is emerging in my baby watermelon bed.
Sweet Baby Watermelons
Category: Parrots, Urban Gardening
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Kaye, how you have transformed your place! If I didn’t know better I’d say your property rivals that of Hearst’s!
HaHa! Hardly, but thanks for the endorsement!!
Love the parrots!
What a mess they leave, though, seeds everywhere! Would love to get a shot of them chomping on the sunflowers. One of these days, I’ll have my timing right.
There are wild parrots in Long beach in Belmont Shores area also.
Enjoying your column.
Thank you for reading! I love the parrots. Are you watching “Late Bloomer” episodes Angela?