Red Robins, Redding, California

We had a water leak in the front yard recently and the red robins were the ones that made us aware that it was there.  They kept gathering at this one spot for a day or two, not one or two birds but several at a time.  I took these picture, before scaring them off. I think I took the photo from indoors.  

These photos were taken before all the rain.  Luckily it has been raining lots this past few days, and hopefully enough to save the birds as there has been a shortage of water.

Red robins gather at the street for a water leak. 

Red Robins, probably noticing a shortage of water this year.

Red Robins, Shasta County

Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum

Recently we went to the Turtle Bay Exploration Park.  It had been some time since I had visited and I missed it.  I went with my cousins kids.  They really enjoyed it.  The Dr. Seuss Art exhibit is going on thru April 15th, and I highly recommend it.  The exhibit is interesting, fun for the children and his art work is amazing.  There is a reading area for the children.

In addition there is a fly fishing expedition going on thru April 15, 2012 also.  That was not my favorite part of the exhibit, but none the less interesting, and the children seemed to enjoy that one more than me.  Perhaps they enjoy fishing, more than I.  Or perhaps they never had a fish hook caught in their neck, like me, when I was a kid.  Yes, that could be it. :-) There is so much to do at turtle bay I could write an essay here about it.

You should visit the site yourself and see what they have to offer.  The museum and exploration park are right next to the Sundial bridge. Don't expect there to be refreshments besides a drinking fountain. There used to be a cafe there also, but is out of business AGAIN.  That should be the most successful cafe in town, but for some reason or another, every owner has failed to make it profitable.  Big changed coming to the museum and the cafe when the Sheraton comes to town so you might visit the museum now, while it's in it's original state.  

Here are a few pictures from our trip.   Enjoy!

Bird Exhibit, feed and interact with birds.

Dr. Seuss Art Exhibit ends April 15.

Dr. Seuss Art Exhibit, Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Dr. Seuss Classic.

Fresh water fish at the aquarium at Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Fresh water fish in the aquarium, Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Dr. Seuss Art Exhibit.

The fox at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park.

Little hand and more Dr. Seuss writings.

Here is  a link to Turtle Bay Exploration Park's website.

They have events and all kinds of activities for children.  It's a wonderful place for people of all ages.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Museum

Gardenia's in the Garden Tract, Shasta County

This flower is a beautiful bright white, and smells absolutely fabulous.  You can smell the fragrant as you walk by.  It had so many blooms this year it was amazing.  These were taken in July and the plant still has some blooms on it.

Our favorite thing to do is have mini vases filled with a few of these in a room.  You will never need to buy air freshener again.

Gardenias grow well in Redding.

Gardenia

Flowered gardenia and budding gardenia.

Hibiscus in Redding and Shasta County

  

Hibiscus is a beautiful flower and plant.  I love the white ones, and the purple ones for that matter.  The neighbor has a bush which has been formed into a tree, and the flowers are up above.  My mother's is more like a bush.  Not quite as old as the neighbors, his tree must be 30+ years old.

Hibiscus is popular because it attracts bees and butterflies, also you may be more familiar with hibiscus as a tea.  There are hundreds of varieties of the hibiscus flowers, and bush.

The hibiscus prefers a warmer climate.  This is the technical name for this type of hibiscus, Hibiscus syriacus.

 

 

Hibiscus in Redding, California.

This year, right before the purple hibiscus bloomed, I stepped out the door, and I smelled coconut.   I could not figure out where the scent was coming from.  As it turns out it was the Hibiscus!  

Hibiscus syriacus and Tonka truck.

Hydrangea's in Shasta County, Redding California

My mother's hydrangeas are gorgeous.  The very large, and they vary in colors.  These hydrangea bushes are probably around 50 years old, one of the flowers was once about a foot in diameter.  Very big, not like you see in the store.  These are all close ups of the flowers.

To get different colors of hydrangea's it has to do with the acidity of the soil. 

Bright blue hydrangeas Shasta county.

Corn flower blue colored hydrangeas.

These are going to be pink it looks like.

Highway 299 Buckhorn Summit Road Construction

Be prepared this spring and summer for road work being done on Buckhorn Summit, Highway 299 West. Which means waiting for the pilot truck both ways in the commute.  

I went by there a week or so ago and there were three particular bends that are going to be "straightened out".  They took down many trees, I stopped at just one of the sites to take photographs.  It hurts to see all old trees being cut down. 

Buckhorn Summit road construction, Shasta county side, 2011.

Trees cut down on Highway 299 for road widening.

Flowers with insects, at the Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay's McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

I went on another trip to the Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay Gardens in Redding, California  This local attraction is free, that is the wonderful part.  The bridge is free, the walking and biking trails are free, and consequently they actually go through all the way to the Shasta Dam from the bridge.   It offers so much, exploration park, museum, cafe, outdoor playground for children, old monolith, animals, and a seasonal butterfly exhibition.  It is quite spectacular and you could easily spend a few hours there with your family or friends.

The bridge from a higher point.

http://www.turtlebay.org/