A bossy hummingbird guarding the feeder outside the kitchen window.  He's taken to perching on Aloe Hercules as his throne.

In between the atmospheric rivers, I've managed to get my hands dirty with Spring clean-up!  Tomorrow we are supposed to get some serious rain.  I've ordered a small sump pump to handle the flooding in the paths.  

This area, outside a bedroom window and next to our AC unit has been a bit of a mess for a while.  I had a passionflower/butterfly garden that attracted gulf fritillary butterflies.  I moved the passionflower next to the fence.  

In prettier days,  some butterfly attractive landing pads.

I want the overall back to be cohesive, so it was time for a clean out!

All the rain has helped make the digging easier, that is for sure.

During  2 separate trips to Poot's Cactus Nursery in Ripon, CA I had picked up 3 large ferocactus glaucescens blue barrel cactus.  I mounded the soil, and plopped these hefty guys in.  I was very disappointed in the copious amount of soil in the pot, and barely there hair fine little roots.  The size of the pot conveyed more root stock, lesson learned!  Still, I'm sure they will be fine and they look amazing here in this hot spot.  Area to be finished with ? top dressing, and perhaps more rock.  Grand reveal to come.  I may pop off one of the baby barrels to plant in the very front?

Rain tarps still up, I will take them down Wednesday.  I cannot wait!  

S made a heart on the crown :).  She really helped with placement of the barrels and rocks.  I'm lucky to have her artistic eyes around!

S & I were here to visit to start off her Spring Break (college students) with a bang.  S and myself made a visit to Alden Lane, they've got the cute bathtubs filled with spring flowers in front.

This poppy looks like a painting.

Some of my own blooms in a cracked pot.  

Then to the front to do clean up for a few hours, Dr. Feelgood trying to get my attention by planting himself.