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Friday, January 9, 2015

Song Sparrow and Hoya australis, January 9, 2015

Today I am linking with-

Wild Bird Wednesday hosted by Stewart M.

Today's Flowers hosted by Denise

Saturday's Critters hosted by Eileen

Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma and Mystical Magical Teacher

Another bird that comes to eat black sunflower seeds is the Song Sparrow, which sings sweetly in the summer and may eat more berries than I would like.  It can be found over most of the USA at some time of the year.   "Do you like my whiskers?"

It has a dark spot on its chest, as though it had been shot.
"Argh, you got me!"

Going, going....



Gone

Next in my houseplant blooming series is Hoya australis, smaller in leaf and flower than my other featured wax plant, Hoya carnosa, and an equally tough plant.  Hoya australis didn't bloom in the summer like carnosa but waited until November.  I like the waxy flowers, and gentle exotic scent. 






 I'm indulging my growing obsession by sowing seeds to get to watch them grow.  Now I am in the transplanting phase of my early perennial seedlings under lights, the back rows so far, lots more to do.

They include Gaillardia, Salvia, Rudbeckia 'Cherry Brandy' (annual) which I hope will be exciting, Creeping Thyme, Monarda, and Sweet William.   I hope by starting them early I can get blooms earlier.  I will be starting some vegetables and annuals soon as well.   I hope you are having a restful winter season- or a happy summer for those of you in the southern hemisphere.  In addition to my shelves where I grow seedlings indoors, I also have an aquaponics system that can handle some plants when they get taller than 11" that will fit on the shelves.

The passing of the seasons and years reminds me that time moves on but God has opened to me the door of eternity and tells me Who I am-

 -Hannah

                                                   or cameras are macro

©Weeding on the Wild Side, all rights reserved.   I enjoy visiting your blog and commenting but can't do so if google+ is the only option, so will comment here.





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51 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJanuary 9, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    adorable little sparrow all puffed up. :)

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    Replies
    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:19 AM

      Thanks, Theresa, it was a cold day. They looked like puff balls. I really enjoyed the Whistling ducks eating at your feeder with their big feet.

      Delete
  2. LeaJanuary 9, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Lovely to have flowers in the winter!
    Beautiful bird with his feathers all fluffed to help him stay warm
    Have a great week-end!
    Lea

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    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:32 AM

      Thanks, Lea, we were having low 20's F weather at night, so quite chilly. I could see why the birds were all fluffed up.

      Delete
  3. Nancy JJanuary 9, 2015 at 7:16 PM

    Scorching hot here today, love that Hoya, and starting the seedlings, do you have a glasshouse? is it heated? or are the trays in a shed with long lights above, that give light and heat at the same time? Little birdie, he is a real treasure.

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  4. HannahJanuary 9, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    Thanks, Jean, I use metal shelves that are almost 4' (1.2m) long. I put them anywhere in the house there is some extra wall space. This one is in my bedroom next to glass doors, those are the drapes behind the plants. This unit has curtains to keep in the light and heat, though I turn them off at night. There are 3 levels, so I tie 4' fluorescent fixtures to the underside of the top and middle shelves, so I get 4 flats of seedlings into each setup and a flat holds 4 x 9 square little 2.25" (5.7cm) rose pots, so I get 36 x 4 seedlings on one shelf unit = 144 plants. Right now I have 3 shelf units but have made more in a pinch when I started too many plants to fit on them all. The distance between the shelves is about 11" / 28cm so when they reach the lights I have to plant them out or put them sometimes in my aquaponics system if there isn't much growing in there. It would be great to have a greenhouse but as you point out, expensive to heat in the winter. I really enjoy starting seeds in the winter, it's fun except for all the work transplanting, I do just a little every night.

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  5. eileeninmdJanuary 10, 2015 at 4:32 AM

    I love the pretty Song Sparrows. They are so sweet to hear! Have a happy weekend!

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    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:50 PM

      Thanks, Eileen, since I haven't yet gotten out to the local wildlife area like you did, I have to post the birds that come to my deck. The Song Sparrows like my Goumi berries, and probably also my blueberries. Thanks for hosting!

      Delete
  6. Linda KayJanuary 10, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    Hannah, the little sparrow is so sweet, and the flower is awesome.

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    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:55 PM

      Thanks, Linda, they are rather shy little birds. I'm pleased to finally get blooms from the Hoya, it took a long time compared with Hoya carnosa, and are so tiny and delicate in comparison.

      Delete
  7. ElaJanuary 10, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    Adorable little sparrow :))

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    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM

      Thanks, Ela, I've always been intrigued by the dark spot on their chests.

      Delete
  8. eileeninmdJanuary 10, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    Hello Hannah, Thank you for linking up your pretty sparrows.. Have a happy weekend!

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  9. Bob BushellJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    Hi Hannah, beautiful bird images you have made.

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    Replies
    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:55 PM

      Thanks, Bob, your Redwing Thrush looks a lot like my Song Sparrow.

      Delete
  10. Janet ShawJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    cute little sparrow! great photos!

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    1. HannahJanuary 10, 2015 at 3:29 PM

      Thanks, Kevin and Janet, they are fun to watch. I envy your RV freedom and excitment.

      Delete
  11. JudyJanuary 10, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    I love the pure white flowers of this hoya!!!

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  12. UnknownJanuary 10, 2015 at 10:28 PM

    I love the fluffed up sparrow and the hoya is gorgeous. Have a lovely Sunday!

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 3:33 AM

      Thanks, Gunilla, this month is speeding on by too. We are having better weather, I guess soon the Hellebores will start to bloom!

      Delete
  13. Phil SladeJanuary 11, 2015 at 2:52 AM

    The sparrow is beautiful and it's a lovely name too. I must say I wouldn't object to it taking berries though as eventually it helps a plant good for birds spread elsewhere.

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 3:36 AM

      Thanks, Phil, they are cute, and I don't mind them eating the Goumis, which turned out to have rather large seeds. The birds don't get many of the blueberries somehow. But I haven't noticed any coming up from seeds, except the horendous blackberries.

      Delete
  14. DebbieJanuary 11, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    ohhh that song sparrow is such a cutie, with such a beautiful feather pattern. he looks like he is eating well. I would like to do some indoor gardening like this, but have yet to dedicate myself to it!! great snaps today!!!!

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      Thanks, Debbie, I hear them singing in the summer, and catch glimpses of them. I really enjoy the indoor gardening, though the transplanting stage is a little tedious, I bake the peat moss, potting soil, and perlite in my microwave to kill fungi. I still have a bunch to go!

      Delete
  15. EG CameraGirlJanuary 11, 2015 at 5:58 AM

    I haven't seen any song sparrows at my feeders for a while so I guess they must have all flown further south, I do love their song! I won't be planting any seeds for a few more weeks. If I do it now the plants will become too long and leggy. BUT I love seeing yours as it makes me think of warmer weather to come. ;)

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:50 AM

      Thanks, EG, we have fairly mild winters, though we can get sudden cold snaps down from Canada, when they leave the door open. I tried starting some perennials in late November last year and they made it under my lights, and I can start tomatoes soon. I am trying some old eggplant seeds now since I ususally don't start them until after tomatoes as an afterthought and they really need more time.

      Delete
  16. NatureFootstepJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    this is a HOYA I have not seen before. As all others it is a beauty :)

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 8:52 AM

      Thanks, I got it from Logee's and it took a few years to bloom, but is growing longer all the time. The smaller flower heads are cute.

      Delete
  17. BumbleVeeJanuary 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    awww... so cute, all round and fluffed out ....

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 6:46 PM

      Thanks, BumbleVee, I guess Song Sparrows are particularly susceptible to cold.

      Delete
  18. betty-NZJanuary 11, 2015 at 2:48 PM

    What a cute little guy (or gal)! Your blooms are really unusual and pretty.

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    1. HannahJanuary 11, 2015 at 6:47 PM

      Thanks, Betty, I appreciate them finally blooming, and the scent especially.

      Delete
  19. maryaustriaJanuary 12, 2015 at 3:21 PM

    This little bird is so cute! And the flower so beautiful! Wonderful photos!

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  20. HannahJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:47 AM

    Thanks, Mary, I haven't even seen any little fluffballs for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  21. BirgittaJanuary 13, 2015 at 3:29 AM

    Wonderful photos and what a cute little bird :)

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    Replies
    1. HannahJanuary 14, 2015 at 7:40 AM

      Thanks, Birgitta, he would really be shivering in your beautiful but snowy landscape.

      Delete
  22. Gemma WisemanJanuary 13, 2015 at 12:38 PM

    The little feathered one is such a chubby little character. Adorable. And pretty flowers.

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    1. HannahJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:59 AM

      Thanks, Gemma, he was such a round little ball.

      Delete
  23. Sue (this n that)January 13, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    Hello Hannah, it's lovely to meet you ... thanks so much for visiting my blog.
    I just adore your cute, plumby wumpy little sparrow,,, so pretty and full of personality.
    Those hoyas are quite beautiful and have such a sheen :D)

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    1. HannahJanuary 14, 2015 at 7:52 AM

      Thanks, Susan, he is an amusing little character. I enjoy the Hoyas, I wish I could have some of the tropical ones with the red flowers. I have a third one that hasn't seemed to bloom yet.

      Delete
  24. Seraphinas PhantasieJanuary 14, 2015 at 1:02 AM

    Wonderful photos of the sparrow and the blossom.
    Best regards, Synnöve

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    1. HannahJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:58 AM

      Thanks, Synnove, I have some new blossoms coming on some other kinds of plants. It really looks cold and snowy where you are.

      Delete
  25. HannahJanuary 14, 2015 at 6:41 PM

    They are very close in appearance, no big deal. I'm a biologist and a very visual person, so I notice things.

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  26. outlawgardenerJanuary 14, 2015 at 7:17 PM

    That bird is quite a cutie! I love the fragrance of hoya and should probably grow one again as it's been years.

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    1. HannahJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:07 AM

      Thanks, Peter, I'm looking forward especially to the carnosa blooming in my bathroom window for months, the fragrance is wonderful.

      Delete
  27. LeoviJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:19 AM

    Spectacular, nice shots of this beautiful bird, beautiful photos!

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    1. HannahJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:12 PM

      Thanks, Leovi, feeding the birds is such fun.

      Delete
  28. abriannaJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:45 PM

    Lovely photos of the sparrow and love the close ups of the flowers. Glad they smell good.

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  29. DeniseinVAJanuary 16, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    A wonderful post, such beautiful flowers. Thank you for sharing these with Today's Flowers, and I wish you a very happy weekend :)

    ReplyDelete

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