Natural History

Found this nest next to my car last evening when on my way to a meeting. It was most likely dislodged from nearby branches by the strong winds we've been experiencing of late. 

Belonging to Zosterops Japonicus and commonly referred to as Mejiro, Japanese White-Eye or Silver Finch, I've learned that construction of this nest can take 7-10 days. A combination of spider webs, grass, coconut fibers, lichens, moss and mammal hair (this one appears to use shed hair from my dog)are the materials used. They are delicate and intricately woven.

This one contained the fully feathered remains of a fledgling either left behind to starve or unable to extract itself from the nest when it was dislodged by the wind.

In The Lair of Fair

Spent a couple of hours last week nosing around the home & studio of artist Deybra Fair (http://www.deybrafair.com). Turning into the hillside drive way I am greeted by the screeching of peacocks roosting in nearby trees. There are found objects and art made of found objects liberally scattered around the grounds, hanging on walls and spilling from every shelf and covering every surface. Deybra's paintings, assemblages and sculpture have been a fixture of the local art scene far longer than either of us care to acknowledge.