Our backyard views have been interesting of late.
Although I haven't filled my bird feeders since last winter when warnings were issued about salmonella outbreaks spread via feeders among songbirds, they flocked into our backyard en masse this week. I wasn't successful getting photos of them chirping to one another in the trees but I caught them joyfully bathing in the fountain just outside our back door.
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| The seashells in the fountain's upper tier provide the birds a comfortable perch while leaving just enough space to splash about |
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| All my photos were taken from inside the house as opening the door sent them flying |
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| I think this group includes a house finch, a few lesser goldfinches, white-crowned sparrows, and what may be a female golden-crowned sparrow |
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| The birds generally use the fountain's second tier to drink |
I also witnessed the departure of the first cruise ship to leave the Port of Los Angeles with passengers since cruise line operations were shut down in March 2020. We've seen cruise ships docked in the harbor off and on during the shutdown, coming in for supplies and frequently exiting, without passengers, the same day. I took the following photos from our backyard using a telephoto lens.
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| The Grand Princess left the Port of Los Angeles at 4pm on Saturday at 60-75% capacity, according to news reports. Unlike Florida, California had no issues with the cruise line's requirement that passengers and crews be fully vaccinated prior to departure unless an exception was pre-approved . Masks were also required in certain common areas. |
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| The Grand Princess was the ship that received international attention early during the pandemic in 2020 when more than 3500 people were stranded off-shore of San Francisco after 21 passengers and crew were diagnosed with Covid-19. The former President didn't want them to disembark as that would increase the US case count. |
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| Surrounded by tug boats, the ship executed the turn that would take it through Angel's Gate |
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| You can see the Angel's Gate lighthouse on the right and some of the many cargo ships anchored just outside the port waiting to get in to unload their containers. The total recently reached a record of 73 ships. |
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| Exiting the port, the Grand Princess turned south headed for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
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| It's expected to return September 30th |
Maybe things are getting a little closer to "normal" day by day after all, at least on some fronts.
For more Wednesday Vignettes, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2021 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Looking at those cute birds splashing around is very relaxing. I'm surprised they share the fountain instead of fighting over it. Maybe because they are similar size. (Humans, take a lesson!). In my mind, I joyously placed myself on that cruise ship to Cabo... though in reality I don't think I'm be brave enough to sail quite yet. The photos are great though, both of birds and ship.
ReplyDeleteThat particular collection of birds get along very well. However, when the scrub jays or mockingbirds show up, they scoot on out of there. The joys and them mockingbirds aren't into sharing.
DeleteOh those birds must be making a lot of sweet music Kris. Great to see that cruise ship heading out to the high seas. I wonder where it's heading.
ReplyDeleteThe Grand Princess was headed to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. For at least the last several years, the majority of the cruise ships leaving from the Port of Los Angeles seem to go somewhere in Mexico.
DeleteWhat great photos of the bird party! As for the cruise ship I thought the idea of a cruise was slightly creepy even before COVID, I don't know that you'd ever get me on one now. Oh, and returning on September 30th? Just a one or two day cruise?
ReplyDeleteThis cruise was 5 days, departing on September 25th and returning September 30th. Decades ago, my husband and I took one big ship cruise (though not as big as the Grand Princess). The on-ship experience, which I think is what appeals to most who frequent cruises, wasn't appealing but we enjoyed the passage through the Panama Canal and our off-ship tours of Costa Rica. I wouldn't do it again, however.
DeleteWow - what a wonderful bird fountain! Great idea using the seashells. I've done that with stones but haven't been nearly as successful with visitors, although my birdbath is not visible from our windows - perhaps something I should rectify. Those cruise passengers are probably going to get the royal treatment, I would think - I'm not one for cruises but am still a bit envious!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the cruise line is putting its all into making this trip as enjoyable as possible for the passengers. The future of the cruise industry depends on the success of these first cruises.
DeleteWhat a happy sight those birds are - splish-splash!
ReplyDeleteA brave lot to board that ship, but I imagine there's plenty of room to social distance at that capacity and it is a relatively short cruise, no time to worry about infection rates! I'm still nervous about going to the store, no vacationing for me. ;)
I don't think I'd spend 5 days on a cruise ship right now, even at 60-75% capacity. The super big ships like the Grand Princess hold little appeal to me as it is - and, under current circumstances, Mexico wouldn't be my selection as a destination either.
DeleteI love your birds! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI expect it's time to clean and refill my bird feeders again. I really do enjoy their cheerful company.
DeleteSome good news all around here. Great shots of the birds and the cruise ship!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for telephoto lenses, Beth - I tried catching a shot of the cruise ship on my very dated iPhone camera and it was terrible.
DeleteMy life is very much impacted by those cargo ships waiting to get to port. Not a good year to be a buyer ! The Florida cruise thing is just incomprehensible to me, good for us that CA can protect passengers on these cruises. That is one type of vacation that holds no appeal for me at all. I wish those that enjoy it well. I'd rather get in my car and road trip to Oregon.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that the principal appeal of cruising is the on-board, everything-included experience, Kathy. On my one and only big ship cruise decades ago, I found that part of the trip relatively unappealing. I'd rather fly to my destination and focus on exploring activities on land.
DeleteOh, Kris - it warms my heart to see all those cute little bathing birds! Wonderful photos! Great shots also of the harbor and the cruise ship! I don't know that I would be comfortable going on a cruise quite yet... Hopefully those who embark on a trip like that right now, will live to tell about it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I hope the cruise is successful on all grounds, Anna. Not only will it reinforce the usefulness of reasonable safeguards, it's important to the sustainability of the cruise industry and it's one of many things that will help the economy recover.
DeleteThe birds are so cute. You really got some good photos. I have the same problem--when I open the door our birds all fly away. My husband had just been telling me about the cargo ships lining up to unload. I had wondered at the time if you'd be able to see them. Enjoy your sights, near and far.
ReplyDeleteThe haze across the ocean water obscures many of the ships, which are stacked well into the distance. They're sometimes easier to make out at night when their lights are on. I understood the problem at the height of the pandemic but it seems odd that the problem has worsened even as California's COVID numbers have improved.
DeleteFrom adorable small birds to that ginormous ship. You realize how huge those ships are when photographed next to buildings that they dwarf! Sort of funny how much the finches seem to love bathing. They appear to be doing it for fun. Here in the urn fountain certain individuals take 3 or 4 baths a day.
ReplyDeleteHave not ever taken a cruise. Some of the appeal is apparently drinking and gambling, neither of which we bother with.
The Columbia or Mississippi river versions have a certain appeal, but probably we'll probably never do one.
Yes, I meant to mention the comparison in size of the Grand Princess and the Angel's Gate Lighthouse in the shot in which the former passed the latter. My husband and I went on one big ship cruise many, many years ago and I can't imagine doing it again. You're right on point as to why cruising appeals to many people - the on-ship experience wasn't our focus either (although we did get a first-hand look at the process of crossing through the Panama Canal). We did a small boat cruise in Alaska years later, which was more interesting as the ship could get in close to icebergs and wildlife, which isn't something we saw on the big ship!
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