Tag: Birding

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.

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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.

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Woodpeckers are everywhere

This morning in our large oak tree was about 7 Red- Bellied Woodpeckers I was able to get a few good pictures.

I love these crazy birds that eat upside down. I found this feeder empty a few days ago and decided to refill it and I have seen the woodpeckers and the titmouse eating out of it.

Birding is one of the biggest bright spots in my days.

Life is GOOD!

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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.

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Orioles in the mulberries

I kept seeing a flash of yellow/gold and I could not figure out what kind of bird it was I was seeing.

Finally, after a closer look, I realized it was Orioles I have only ever seen 1 here before.

This is the first year they have invaded the mulberry tree. The mulberries have been getting picked for about 5 weeks and they showed up this week.

Normally it is the Cedar Waxwings that invade our tree in very large numbers. This year it was the Orioles in groups of 15 or so.

I was able to capture a few pictures but they are camera shy. They really are a bright-colored bird.

Nature is always putting on a show you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Oriole1Oriole2

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Babies in the birdhouse

The Eastern Blue Birds have been nesting in this orange birdhouse for a few months.

Well, there are babies I have been seeing the parents come and go a lot so  I had to get closer to listen. I can hear lots of baby bird noise coming from the birdhouse as the sun is rising it’s pretty loud.

This mama and daddy bird go in and out all day supplying food for this hungry bunch.

Now I will be panicked waiting for them to fly this so much stress.

 

 

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Eastern Bluebirds Nesting

Finally, the Eastern Bluebirds have decided to nest in our yard.

I am beyond excited we have been trying to get them to nest in many birdhouses we have for the last few years.

They are a bit picky when it comes to birdhouses. They do not like perches on therehouses, they do not want to be in a tree or above 5ft in height.

We will keep this in mind for the future.

Birding in our yard is priceless because I never know what I might get to see.

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Neotropic Cormorant

These two birds are Neotropic Cormorant.

We spotted these two beauties while out at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas.

I like the way these birds colors look painted on.

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Bird bath party time

I have been taking quite a few pics lately of the birds having birdbath parties.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted some very bright low and behold it was a Bullock’s Oriole. These birds are from West Texas not our area so its not wonder I have never seen one before. I had to come in and grab my Birds of Texas book and look him up.

Notice the water spraying across the picture from the action of the birds in the water.

I have seen him two days in a row and both times he was with the Eastern Bluebirds so I am guessing they are friends.

Since the birds seem to crowd into the shallow birdbath the most I am going to take my deep ones and turn them into planters and I will figure out how to have a trough type bird bath so 20 or so can get in at the same time. Just imagine the pictures with that.

Its so funny because there will be 8 in the birdbath and another 8 flying around waiting for the shallow birdbath. By the time they are done there is no water left in the birdbath.

I go out and refill it and they will come back while I am still outside.

I love my birds as much as my grandmother and my dad did.

Appreciate the beauty of nature it is all around us take the time to enjoy it each and everyday.

BirdBathParty

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