Tiny Potter

Our porch may seem to be the place for a quiet relaxing evening or a nap in the shade of a large overhanging tree, but while I’m away, much happens here.
There’s a little potter working.

I noticed these first yesterday, while one was still uncapped. The open hole, perfectly round. The lip turned out so slightly.
These are the nests of a Potter Wasp.
An egg waits to hatch inside.


I would have loved to watch her form them, small clay pots the size of a marble. Fastened to the window box, beside the white porch rail.
Turning... and circling... until the vessel was complete.
Then capturing food--and sealing it up tight!

From Wikipedia:
It is believed that Native Americans based their pottery designs upon the form of local potter wasp nests.

Meet the parents

Dinner is served at 6 -- and 6:10, 6:20, 6:30, 6:40 and so on, if you're one of the hummingbirds that dines at the porch feeder.
It hangs from the eaves, a cup of sweetened water, lovingly prepared, in its reservoir. A supplement to the bright, flowering plants below—trumpet creeper, columbine and lilies.

We sit, with our plates, watching from a few feet away, our conversation interrupted every few minutes by the loud buzz of her approach. From the very slender branch of a nearby tree, she zooms in, hovers and takes a few hurried sips. Just over a tenth of an ounce—an emerald jewel.



Then—off, as suddenly as she appeared.
Back to the nest to sit.


Her mate visits less often.
Perhaps he wanders farther within his territory or needs less nourishment now, than she.


Then, in a flash, he is there, even smaller than the female—tiny toes curled around the red perch while he drinks. His brilliant red gorget, black in the fading light of evening.

His role within this new family is finished. Nest-building and feeding responsibilities are hers now and hers alone.
The two bicker often. Their harsh chatter follows as they chase and dive—speeding past our heads within the porch.
Racing off into the blue until they are seen no more.

The nest I'm watching
6/25/08


Progress of this family will be regularly posted to
"A Bird's Life."


Thanks to Wigger's World for hosting Skywatch Friday each week at his site!

All-natural mosquito control

Last night was the perfect evening to spend just a little while on the swing. It had been a long one--packed with errands after an 8-hour work day, and I like nothing better than relaxing on a porch swing in the dark. So many night sounds that clear my mind--almost as good as watching the ocean waves lap at the sand on a beach. Sitting with the kitty who seems to have adopted us as her new family. Just thinking about nothing in particular, when I sensed movement. At first, I questioned I'd seen anything, but the flick of Kitty's head meant she'd seen it, too. So quickly, darting back and forth--bats.
Usually they stand out against a dark night sky, but these were much lower. In fact, very hard to see against the darkness of the grass. And it made me reconsider my walk back into the house. Maybe I should just stay a while, seeing as the bugs weren't bothering me?