Doves
These mourning doves were in the feeders last week.
They are so beautiful I love looking at them.
Most of the times the doves are not easily scared off. They just drop by to eat some seed and then they go on their merry way.
I love it when the wildlife comes to visit.
Eastern Bluebird Fledgling
Yesterday I kept hearing a baby bird cry every time I went in the backyard.
I knew the bluebirds had been nesting but I could see them go into the birdhouse and leave. I thought my hearing might be off but a little while later I heard it was stronger so I knew there was a baby on the ground.
I went into the secret garden to check it out there it was in the hot sun on hot concrete stepping stones since I had my camera with me I grabbed a couple of pics. I knew I needed to move this little one from where it was at.
The first pic she looks like she has on a helmet. The second one is “are you my mother” I am screaming at you.
I had to get her into the shade but when I tried she landed into the tadpole pond. I got her out on a stick and placed it in the shade.
By this time I am being dive bombed by two eastern blue birds the little ones two parents. They head straight at you and you think they are going to hit you but at the last minute they go up and fly away.
I left it there went back later it was hidden in the bushes so once again I got it out placed it in the shade in the grass. More dive bombing by the parents.
The third time I went out it was the opposite side in the bushes ok the parents will never see it like this so I decided I need to figure something out. Here come the parents to keep me away once again.
I decided to feed it had been hours on the ground. I mixed up a messy watery batch of canned pate dog food. I placed in a syringe and fed the hungry little bird. He ate good but I knew I needed a solution for him hiding in the bushes.
It dawned on me to put a hanging basket with some grass and hang it up low and this worked for a few hours but she back out again.
I have been dive bombed about 4 times but all is good they are just protecting their baby.
She looks to have all her feathers but I think she is a few days off from flying. Now when she sees me she opens her mouth lol.
The Eastern Bluebirds had a hard time during our February freeze and we lost a lot of them. I just want to do my part to help build back up this population in our area.
Wildlife has a way of finding me and I feel the need to do my part to help it out when I can. I can not resist taking a few pictures along the way.
A pair of Eastern Bluebirds
We finally started seeing the Eastern Bluebirds again.
This pair is nesting in an older birdhouse that is 20ft off the ground. This is very unusual for these birds because normally they like around 5ft off the ground and we have several houses just right for them that no one is nesting in.
I am guessing they love the height or the look of this worn out birdhouse lol.
I am so glad the Eastern Bluebirds found their way back after the freeze. I know a lot them died because they were caught off guard with the freeze in our area.
We provide housing, birdbaths and food for our feather friends it is very nice to see them back again. This pair posed for a picture together.
Rose – breasted Grosbeak
I kept seeing this bird out the French doors in the feeders but I had no clue what kind of bird it was.
I had to ask someone that had connections with others who were the experts.
It turns out this is a Rose- breasted Grosbeak this is a female the males are quite opposite they are black white and red. I only saw this one bird.
They migrate through our area. I was able to get pictures for a few days of this beauty.
That is two birds I have never seen before that I have gotten to capture on camera during the last few weeks. Life is GOOD!
Redbird posing
This female redbird was glad to see some birdseed in this feeder.
I love it when the birds are molting so they have those fuzzy feathers in the pics. The wind was blowing a little so it really accented her feathers.
She was quite curious about my camera so she posed for a few shots as she was eating some black oiled sun flower seeds.
The wildlife in our area is as curious about us as we are them.
Looking out
The male cardinal is looking out for the female who was eating.
I often catch the males guarding the females. Around here I think its from the hawks who love easy prey.
I have found most the birds around here like the open feeders.
I have one closed feeder the titmouse, sparrows and woodpeckers like its a house type with plexiglass.
I have 12 bird feeders spread across our yard area which is one acre. I generally feed a few times a week and the rest of the time they are on their own. We have lots of plants and trees that produce bird friendly berries or fruit.
Nature gives us the presence of her beauty and requires so little from us. Appreciate the little things because their beauty is all around us.
The mulberry bandits
Once you hear the song of the cedar waxwing you know they are back.
They are here for one reason and one reason only that is to eat the mulberries right off the tree. They fly in groups of 20 – 30 and go to town all the while wearing their mask and filling up on berries.
We have 4 of the purple mulberry trees and one white tree but the purple are so much better. The largest purple tree is our biggest producer and I was hoping to make some jelly this year.
I think they are beautiful birds and I love to hear them but we really enjoyed picking the mulberries last year with the grandkids. They would run for the trees the minute they drove up so they could eat some berries.
Purple stained hands and lips and lots of giggles to go around. These are the moments that make life so precious.
Red-winged blackbird
The red – winged blackbirds are most often seen in groups.
I think they are a pretty bird and do not mind them at my bird feeders but they do eat a lot and can clean out a bird feeder really quick.
Often times the males are seen bowing up at each other trying to decide whos the boss.
Natures beauty is always around even during the wintertime.
Brown-Headed Cowbirds
I went outside a little while ago to feed the birds since its getting so cold here.
First to arrive was a group of brown headed cowbirds which are not my favorite because they normally will eat all the seed and leave.
Lucky for the red birds and blue jays there were left overs. I saw the chickadees, and the wrens and even squirly everyone was glad I put out food.
Remember to feed the wildlife this cold weather is hard on them to.
