**AHEM** The big news of the month: We have a nest of baby Robins right now! They are just outside and above our back door. Mrs. Robin built her nest over the last 2 weeks, and laid her eggs. We have been watching her. A few days ago, I came home to find Rich up on the ladder, taking photos of the babies. I was worried that the mom wouldn’t come back, but as soon as Rich took the ladder down, Mrs. Robin came back, and fed her babies. Here are some of the pictures Rich took:
In all their ugliness, they are very sweet, and endearing. And helpless. I think they are beautiful. They are amazing. I am so happy that Mrs. Robin chose our tree for her nest!
I am very proud right now. Not only are there Robin babies, but I have vegetables! I have only had a serious garden about 3 times in my life, and they have never done all that well. This year is not an exception…my garden itself is not doing well. However, I have a very happy tomato plant in a pot, and a very happy cucumber plant (also in a pot).
The tomato is producing lots of tomatoes. The first should be ripe and ready for consumption tomorrow. They are beautiful.
I have one cucumber. This took many aborted cucumbers. I am not sure what made the plant do this, but I had a bunch of little cukes, and they shriveled and died. I have ONE cucumber right now that looks like it may actually survive. The ones that aborted were beautiful. I never realized how amazing cucumbers are before they are fully grown. Here are some pictures of the cukes that have gone to the Great Garden in the Sky:
…and here is the ONE I have now that is going to make it (think positive thoughts, please):
I think what amazed me the most about these cucumbers is that they grew the actual fruit, and THEN put out a flower. Most fruits and veggies, it seems to me, put out the flower first, and once it is pollinated, the fruit grows. As you can see on the above cucumber, the fruit is already about 3 inches long, and the flower has just opened.
Today, there was a Lesser Goldfinch in my front yard. I didn’t know they stayed in Moab over the summer, but I guess they do. Here is one, denuding the dandelions in the lawn:
GREAT birds Katie!!! Thanks for sharing.
Peace, Love & Happiness,
Magpie
Summer at your house is definitely luscious and lively! Great baby bird photos. Congratulations! Are the little guys named yet?
hey katie! thanks for all the blogs you share. awesome veggies! i hope for an attempt at green thumbing it with a garden one day. will have to consider the garden in a pot
. well– always fun to see what you’re up to and the goings on in your neck of the woods 
. by the way– nice recent pic of your pool and little mermaid lounging around 
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All I can say is WOW – Some great shots
Great robin photos. Thank for sharing.
BTW the cucumber flower is pretty normal. Certainly many other plants have smaller ovaries than this Curcurbitaceae but its pollinated seed-pod, the cucumber, will also become much longer than those of other plants.
Jürgen
Good God, baby birds are hideous!
The baby robins are pretty cute & congratulations on the tomatoes. It looks like there are quite a few on your plant. The spiky cucumbers are really cool looking. Good luck with the remaining one.
OMG! Best baby bird photos ever – they have mohawks! Nice veggies too, neat close ups of spikey cuke. We haven’t had a goldfinch in our yard yet, thanks for sharing yours!
I looks like summer is in full swing up your way. Rich took some great pics and your veggies look yummy but—-NO SPINES
Enjoy life.
Thanks, everyone, for the compliments on Rich’s pictures of the baby robins!
Maggie – Thanks! …and thanks for visiting my ‘blog!
Sonja (AKA ‘mom’) – No, they are not named. They are hard to tell apart.
Amber – I highly recommend the ‘garden in a pot’ approach. Mine have done MUCH better than the stuff I actually have in the ground!
Uncle Roger – Thanks! I have to give credit for the robin photos to Rich. I liked the cucumber ones, too, though…
Jürgen – Thanks! I have never had plants that begin growing their fruits before they are pollinated! It’s something new, and I am glad to know that is normal!
Jen – They are, and they AREN’T. I like them. They have potential…and they are so helpless!
Dana – Thanks. I ate the first tomato today for lunch, and it was delicious. I am happy they are yummy! As for the cucumber, last year while I was on vacation is when they all ripened. So…they should be ready in a couple of weeks…he he he
Anita – They DO have mohawks – the little punks! I need to come and get some cans from you and Shawn, if you guys still have them for me.
Ed – Thanks! Yes, the veggies are delicious. I had the first tomato today at lunchtime. A little mayonnaise, and some fresh-ground pepper…perfect!
Great pictures, however i would like to comment on the wild life, it may be cute and all that stuff, however here in the city the squirrels have eaten more of my tomatoes than i have (aren’t they cute)? Oh well i guess what ticks me off is that i have fed them nuts to keep them off my crops, now it feels like a knife in the back LOL.