They are beautiful birds though. We had one land on my husband's head at our Dallas house. We were at the pool, I was in the pool and he was standing at the edge of the pool looking down at something. Suddenly I see this big black bird coming in for a landing. I told him not to move! The bird landed right on the back of his head. He was freaking out because he had no idea what it was. But he maintained his cool, more than I would have been able to do, and I got out of the pool and put my hand under the birds feet. Just like I would do with my cockatiel. It was extremely tame and had a metal tag around the ankle. Turns out it was a homing pigeon. I was able to contact the owners, they said just let it rest there and eventually it should return. I fed and watered it for a few weeks and got really acquainted with it. It would hang out on the roof and I put a cat carrier out on the patio with food and water. It finally did leave but I don't think it went home lol. I think it enjoyed the free life. It was a beautiful iridescent purple and black color. It was quite smart. It would sit outside the window where my cockatiels cage was and they would «talk» to each other.

The atrium is always in progress lol. I just added 2 new big hanging baskets of flowers today a yellow million bells and a mixed colors petunias and million bells the purple and white petunias are so pretty. I bought a flat of the light blue dreams wave petunias to make some mixed planters. That picture is the center of the atrium there are plants along all sides too. I put a hose automatic turn on system hooked to the yellow sprinkler so it gets watered automatically. That's essential here with our heat. I love my atrium it's my secret garden!

Dawn, I loved birding in SD. The Audubon group there was so nice and fun, I went on birding field trips with them frequently. Moved to OC and the group here is...let's say, not like that. I lasted two field trips. So I rarely bird anymore. There are more than one species of godwits; the one in your photo is a Marbled Godwit--the most expected one to see in the area.

In Paris, a memorial to Ferdinand Kronis, a member of the Resistance who died fighting for the liberation of France on August 25, 1944.