Update on Sam the Koala

In February, during the devastating Australia Bush fires, we all heard about Sam the Koala, who was rescued by volunteer firefighter David Tree. Her picture, drinking from Mr. Tree’s water bottle while holding his hand, became a symbol of hope for Australia and the whole world.

Three months later, The West Australian reports that Sam is on the road to recovery, and David Tree is working to raise money for the Victoria Fire Authority and wildlife relief efforts.

The last of Sam’s bandages have been removed, but she is still on antibiotics to prevent infection in second-degree burns to her back and feet. And she is enjoying a diet of fresh eucalyptus leaves served to her cut daily by volunteers at the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter.

Shelter Director Colleen Wood has cared for over 60 koalas since the fires. "Every one of them will go back into the wild as soon as we’re satisfied they are going to be able to cope out there with any ill effects," she said.

Sam, and her mate Bob - another fire survivor - will most likely be at the shelter for another six months. She will continue to help Ms. Wood and her volunteers raise funds for wildlife relief efforts.

The San Diego Zoo in California is one of many reputable organizations that are helping with wildlife relief efforts. You can find out more on their website:

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/australiabushfire/index.html

Please let people know about this. And thanks for caring!

It's Bird Watching Season!

My two cats, Chico and Maya, just LOVE this time of year. In addition to the birdie entertainment in the "mystery tree" in the front of my house, there is all kinds of avian activity in the willow tree behind the house and in the forsythia hedge along side.

The kitties like to sit in the open (screened!) window and talk to the birds. This morning's show included what looked like some alpha male courting rituals with 2 male robins and a female in the willow tree.

The birds twittered and sang and the cats meowed and purred... nature's music with perfect pitch!

More Signs of Spring

There is a beautiful flowering tree in my front yard. Every year in mid-April, it bursts into bloom with lovely white flowers. Next green leaves sprout and the white flower petals drop, creating a tiny spring snow storm when the wind blows. In early summer small red berries ripen out of the flower crowns, and the neighborhood birds feast on the fruit and then leave bright purple droppings all over the walkway and the drive.

The tree becomes the focal point for cat entertainment at about this time every year. Cardinals, blue jays, robins, goldfinches, blackbirds, chickadees, and even crows love play in the branches and tease the two house cats who sit in my front window and watch with great interest for hours at a time. Chico and Maya recognize the word "birdie" and run for the window that looks out on our lovely tree when ever they hear me say it.

So here's my question. Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? The builder landscaped the property before I moved in, so I have no idea what this tree may be. Here's a close up of a flowering branch.

If you know what kind of tree this is, please leave a comment. I've been wondering about this for years.

Happy Spring!

Spring has Sprung!

It's a beautiful spring weekend with sunny skies and warm temperatures... a perfect time to start the season's yard work. First up, making a larger garden plot out of the small flower bed next to the deck. After all, how hard could that be?

Well, it took two days to dig up the lawn, lay the landscape timbers and fill with garden soil, but this will be worth it when the poblanos and tomatoes arrive. I know it just looks like dirt now (which it is), but let's check back in a few weeks when the plants are in and growing.

There are more obvious signs of spring too. The forsythia are in full bloom and the lilacs are ready to burst, just in time for the Rochester Lilac Festival in May.