This is not Henry’s usual expression

 

 

 

He went to the vet today for some tests and they gave him the good stuff.  He’s still a little stoned.

 

Near where we live

 

 

A view of the border wall from the north.

 

A view from the south, the other side.

 

There are gaps.

 

It’s U.S. property on both sides of the wall.  It’s not unusual to pass through a gap while walking and birding.

 

It looks like this close to the river.

 

Good habitat.

 

And this, right on the river.

 

 

The second possum

 

 

…from under the house.

 

 

(When I take pictures with my phone, I’m just guessing.  I can’t tell if I’ve got the focus right or not on that little screen.)

 

When we first discovered a possum under the house, Donald was good enough to seal up every possible entrance.  That means no more possums can get in, and any that are already in can’t get out.  We set a second trap just in case and after a couple failed attempts, we caught another.

 

Fresh bait in the trap, a yummy home-grown grapefruit, and we’ll see if there are any more.

 

 

It’s a harsh landscape

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a large salt lake in the middle.

 

The lake has no outlet and sits on top of a giant salt dome.  It’s up to 10 times as salty as the ocean, depending on how much water is in it.

 

It is surprising how many land animals and birds survive in this unforgiving salty environment.  In addition though, there is a tiny freshwater oasis right above it.

 

I think it’s a natural seep, with a little help from human hands to make it perennial.

 

Sal del Rey National Wildlife Refuge.

 

An Altamira Oriole

 

 

…has declared that this hummingbird feeder is actually an oriole feeder.

 

 

 

 

Love that sweet stuff.  If you stand on one side of the feeder it tips enough that the nectar just drips right out!

 

Watching drug company commercials on television

 

 

It looks like we should all want to get COPD.  Frolicking in the flowers.  Playing catch with the kids.  It looks like great fun.  Oh wait.  Diabetes.  That looks even better!

 

 

A Kiskadee and an Oriole

 

 

 

Apparently, both looking at the same thing!