Spring has sprung. We started with spring but inched into summer.  Migration action comes to a close. By now, there are fledgling birds all around calling for their parents to feed them. Parents are bringing them food and protecting them. Western Fence lizards are in full courtship colors with turquoise scales and deep blue bellies. Butterflies are more abundant, but the dragonflies haven't arrived in force yet.

I also seem to have sprung into post-vaccine life. I don't want to say I have thrown caution to the wind, but where I once was pouring sanitizer over my hands after anything I touched, hand washing has gone back to normal. I'm still having trouble remembering to take off my mask in my car and to put it on in stores. We are back to doing things we enjoy, such as family visits and local travels, and things we put off, such as my husband's eye surgery, all with a greater sense of ease. I am still hosting and attending ZOOM meetings, including a talk I gave on Dragonflies to PV/Southbay Audubon. However, more in-person gatherings are being planned, and carpooling has resumed!

May started with butterfly action. Some flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds as nectar sources. This is where the action is. I have always known that hummingbirds are very territorial and will drive off competitors when defending 'their' patch. Butterflies do the same thing. I was surprised to see how aggressive the Monarch butterflies are. I watched for a while and saw them repeatedly driving off not only other butterflies, but also birds. Once I realized this, I tried and finally succeeded in photographing a monarch approaching a hummingbird. It was quite a challenge because they are both so fast and erratic in flight, but once I found the rhythm, I got it. There is only one photo out of many taken. These flowers also act as the local hangout for the butterflies to pick up a mate. I found a Western Tiger Swallowtail in hot pursuit of a female. There was a lot of mid-flight flirting going on and I caught it on camera. She seemed unimpressed.

At the end of the month, I spent two wonderful nights at the Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors on Catalina. My husband sipped wine and read books about the Chumash and Gabrielino-Tongva Indians, while I went out for solo hikes leisurely exploring at my own pace. Later I rejoined him on the terrace to do some artwork in my journal. Catalina is only 26 miles from Long Beach, and there was a large stand of Eucalyptus and other trees that reminded me of Gum Grove Park on the mainland. The birds are pretty much the same, but I was surprised by timing and abundance differences. Western Tanagers, Hermit Warblers, and Northern Flickers have pretty much left the coast at home, but they were on Catalina. Pacific slope flycatchers were very abundant. I enjoyed seeing the quail (not found in Long Beach) and delighted by the Santa Catalina Island Fox. A pair of them came by after 8pm each night to sweep the terrace for scraps. I was surprised that there are no rabbits on the island, but not surprised when I realize they would take over. I loved watching the sky change from gray to brilliant blue to pink as the time of day and cloud cover changed. I enjoyed the sounds of Raven wings, rustling palms, echoes of birds below, the constant call of Pacific Slope Flycatchers, young American Kestrels begging, and the occasional cackle of Acorn Woodpeckers. I will return.a:

Watch the slideshows or click on the links to look through at your own pace. Links open in a new tab.

Enjoy the show! I always appreciate corrections to ID's.

Local Stuff:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/new_may-2021

Catalina Two Harbors:    https://kimssight.zenfolio.com/catalina_may_2021