The Hunt for Hummers

Hummingbirds. We have plenty here in the yard. When I take the dogs out in the morning, I'm sure to see one or two feeding on the flowers in the garden or bathing in the puddle of water that collects near a drain by the house. If I am lucky, they will remain still long enough for a good look. Most of the time they take fly away before I can see what kind they are.  They dogfight for territory in the garden; dive bombing each other at high speeds through and around the trees. When I do catch them feeding on the flowers, I am mesmerized. Over several days during our first summer here, I stalked them with my camera as they fed on the flowers of an aloe plant near the house. Here's what I saw:

Wave Clouds

We often get striated clouds over La Serena. I was curious about them and found some information on the NOAA Website . The clouds are formally called altostratus undulatus, but I like the term "wave clouds" better. On a walk to town this morning, I couldn't help but look up at the sky (and yes, I did trip once or twice). These clouds strike me as unusual and threatening, but La Serena is named "The Serene" for it's tranquil weather. We get an occasional rainstorm and the city streets flood due to lack of drainage, but they are rare. There is generally a slight breeze, but I've yet to experience a heavy wind storm. It doesn't freeze and we don't get heat or humidity. But the clouds that form here are beautiful. Here's a selection of photos from today's walkabout.

Do you see "wave clouds" where you live?