Strathmere, New Jersey, in summer, wish I was there. Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge, pick a topic photograph, prompted me to think ‘beachy’ for some reason. It’s warmish here in the Mid-Atlantic today, but I would still exchange it for hot summer. Look at that lovely sky!
More ‘beachy’ vibes, two beautiful seagulls.
Four more ‘beachy’ birds round out my Wednesday post. I was trying for a Wordless Wednesday but couldn’t keep from writing just a bit.
If the tomato cage and bell didn’t give you a clue to actual size, this bird would appear to be just a common bird perching on a wire. Not so, the hummingbird in the photo was very annoyed with me. I disturbed its meal of delicious nectar.
Hummingbirds have visited our yard since Spring. I had a nectar feeder, but when it gets hot, and my flowers begin to bloom, I take it down. The feeder is glass, the liquid inside becomes quite hot. Besides being a possible burn problem, the heat contributes to the nectar going bad. I change the contents every 48 hours, but I don’t trust it to stay pure when the temperatures rise.
Firecracker flowers are a perfect shape for a hummingbird’s tongue.
The inner disk florets are where the hummingbird finds the nectar on a zinnia plant. This zinnia is part of Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge/Macro.
The cardinal vine flower is trumpet-shaped, another perfect feeding blossom for the hummingbird.
Cardinal vines are climbers, they wrap their quickly growing stems around anything within reach. I usually have to cut, rather than pull, them away from their support. The vines have the strength of steel filaments before the growing season is over. The vines against the sky are part of this week’s Skywatch.
Blue Salvia is another flower that draws the hummingbirds to our garden. I know, in a few weeks, they will have their last sip of nectar in my gardens, but I am already thinking of what to plant next year to bring them back again.
A year ago, my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I thought about it, and decided, I would love a fish tank for goldfish.
For over twenty years we had an outdoor pond. When lifting the dirty filter out of the pond became cumbersome, we filled it in and gave the large koi to a friend. I missed watching the beautiful fish, and knew a fish tank indoors would fill the void.
Most pet stores sell aquarium sets: filters, lights, filter accessories, and heaters are included. Since I already knew I was filling mine with goldfish, the heater was unnecessary, but it was included in the kit. Gravel was not included, plants also were extra. The background was another purchase. Still…when the items were totaled, even adding in the cost of two 3-inch goldfish later in the week, the aquarium set-up was under $75.00. I certainly didn’t feel extravagant in choosing this as a birthday present.
One disappointment was the recommendation of the person who netted the fish I chose, two small goldfish were almost too many for a 20 gallon tank. Goldfish grow fast and are a messy fish. They create a lot of waste. Goldfish aren’t the best fish for beginners. I felt a bit miffed, I had envisioned at least four to five goldfish for my tank. I was wise though, and followed her advice, and picked out two small goldfish who I named Lucy and Ethel. I also bought three snails to take the place of the fish I didn’t have room for in the tank. I named them Ricky Ricardo, Little Ricky and Fred Mertz. Are you old enough to see what the theme is for my aquarium?
Live-bearers, guppies, swordfish, mollies, and platies are a better bet for a first aquarium. If, like me, you have a bit of experience with outdoor ponds, and previous aquariums, give the goldfish a try. Here’s a great article from Fish Tank World about keeping goldfish in an indoor tank.
7 REASONS WHY GOLDFISH AREN’T GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
One thing this article mentions is something I have found to be true: a characteristic of goldfish is they like company. Lucy and Ethel display this trait all the time; they brush against each other gently, much the way a cat rubs his head against your leg. I love watching these two beautiful creatures. Part 2 & 3 of my goldfish adventure will follow soon.
I checked two sources for Aquariums and accessories, and aquarium kits to include with this post. Pet chain store prices are between $75.00 to $100.00 to set up a 20 gallon aquarium. Amazon has kits that contain decor also, but the prices are a bit higher. The best idea is to check out small business pet stores in your area and support local dealers.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 