Birds on My Mind

Haven't seen a hummingbird in nearly a week now, so I've taken down two of the feeders.  I refilled one feeder and put it back up in case there's a straggler coming through.  Besides, the house finches like the nectar too.  

I've moved the safflower seed feeder to the edge of the patio so that we can see the birds from inside.  And, what a sight it has been.  It is besieged by mourning doves, cardinals, titmice, chickadees, Carolina wrens and the finches.  Even a bluebird will stop by on occasion.  Thankfully, the squirrels don't care for safflower seeds, so they pretty much leave that feeder alone. 

Well, I HAD some pictures of the squirrels on the back patio, along with the wren but they have disappeared.  I was working yesterday to learn how to put a watermark on my pictures when I want, and I likely deleted them by mistake.   

It's always interesting at this time of year to see who will stop in on the migration.  This guy visits regularly because he's a resident of the area. 

Cooper's Hawk

A couple of weeks ago, a juvenile red shouldered hawk was chasing  two squirrels round and round the oak tree trunk.  Needless to say, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to catch them.  I think they realized he was a juvi too, or they would have disappeared in a flash.  No way to get a camera to record that one, but it was priceless to see him trying to maneuver around that tree.

I also heard the first owl of the season a few nights ago.  Sounded like there were two, or maybe three, great horned owls behind our house.  I love the sound of their voices.    You've seen this 

picture before, but they're not easy to come by, so it'll just have to do.  

Y'all take care. 

Bird Search, Continued

After the spectacular first afternoon of birding on the Bolivar Peninsula near our campground, we really didn't know whether to expect more of the same later in the week, or just count our blessings for having seen it.   Turns out the latter.    Every day thereafter, the water receded more and the shore/water birds became more and more scarce on our little road.


However, we did have some very good birding over at the Anahuac Wildlife Refuge where we investigated two new areas for us.  They were both wonderful places and we'll be including them in the future.   We took one of our days to claim as our Bird-a-Thon day and wound up with 98 different species.  Had we really worked the day, I'm sure we could have accumulated at least 20 more species.  But, being the sleepy heads we are, we didn't get up and going until about 8 a.m. and we didn't even stop at the wooded areas in High Island on our way home for the day.  After we got home, we found out that had we worked just a little harder, we just might have had a chance to be the winners of our local Audubon chapter's bird-a-thon competition.  Oh, well.  

American Bittern 

Grackle

One doesn't normally get excited by grackles, but this one just shimmered in the sunlight.  It was also odd to see it apparently "fishing" in the canal.  I've never seen them do that before. 

Tropical Kingbird 

One of the very good birds of the day was this Tropical Kingbird. 

Common Nighthawk

Another treat was this nighthawk.  I've seen them before, but this is my first picture of one.  

American Avocet

A couple of days before heading home, we stopped on the east side of Rollover Pass and went out to the spit.  Among the thousands and thousands of birds out there were at least 250 American Avocets!   Oh, what a sight to behold.  The formed a thick line and fished in their unique way, swinging their upturned beaks back and forth through the water.  What a magnificent sight to behold. 

Nesting Roseate Spoonbills

At the rookery in Smith Woods, the roseate spoonbills were busy pairing up and courting, but no nest building was taking place.   Now, the great egrets were already on the nests, as were some cormorants. 

Great Egret in breeding plumage 

The egrets in breeding plumage are just wonderful with that lime green patch on the face.

American Alligator

This fellow presented a concert of numerous bellows.  He was obviously in competition with another fellow on the other side of the little rookery island.  In fact, the other guy sounded like he could be even bigger than this one.  


Throughout this entire week, my dear, sweet Hubby allowed himself to be generally ignored and left alone so that my Birdlady friend and I could simply immerse ourselves in birdwatching.  It was a wonderful week and, from the rumors and whisperings I'm already hearing, this trip may be on the agenda for next spring as well. 


Y'all take care. 

Cajun Birding

I simply cannot believe that another month has passed!  I know it has been a busy time, but really ------ 


We had company for nearly a week early in April.   As soon as they left, we pulled the RV out of storage and took off to Louisiana and Texas on a birding trip.  I went there in 2010 for the first time and was anxious to return.   My Birdlady friend went with us. 


We stopped in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana in order to take in the rookery at Lake Martin.  The conditions were different this year from before, but that was expected. 


I didn't take a lot of pictures there but did get a lovely Prothonotary Warbler on the boardwalk. 

These little guys were all over the place. 


Another highlight of the trip was seeing two baby Barred Owls.  They were out of the nest and could fly for 10 or 15 feet, but they were still covered with fuzz.  We would never have seen them but for their crying for Mama to come feed them.   We also got to see a nesting Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. 


The rookery this year was much further away from the road than last time, so it would have been useless for me to even try to take pictures.


On our way home on Saturday afternoon, we stopped in downtown Breaux Bridge for a bite to eat.  We wandered into Angeline's, hearing the strains of haunting Cajun music.    After ordering, we sat down to enjoy the weekly jam session.    We enjoyed our food and some pure, true music all in one place.    These folks drop in and play for tips every Saturday.


We spent only the one day there, so next morning it was on to Texas.  That'll come later. 


Y'all take care. 

Gone to the Birds

Recently, my husband and I made a trip to Lake Guntersville State Park in northern Alabama, along with my brother and sister-in-law.  It was my first trip to that specific location but bro and sis had camped there numerous times over the years. 


If you recall, in April 2011, numerous tornadoes tore through north Alabama, wreaking havoc on many cities and towns.  One of the locations hit was this park.  It was so sad to see the damage that still remains, even though cleanup and recovery work has been ongoing since the event. 

This is part of the campground that in its normal state would be covered with an assortment of tall hardwood and pine trees, providing welcome shade to summertime campers.  There are very few trees left standing in the campground.  Other areas of the park were hit also, and although a lot of the downed timber has been removed, there's still lots left.


In spite of the devastation around us, we enjoyed the weekend together.  Except for the drive up, the weather was beautiful, although very cold.  We went up as part of the Eagle Festival that takes place yearly.  The eagles were not nearly as plentiful this year as some, most likely due to the mild winter throughout the country.  But, we did see a few and did see a nest site which we learned had three eaglets in it.    I'm sorry I can't show you pictures of those eagles, but my camera lens is just too short to show anything but a speck. 


On Saturday night, we attended a program by S.O.A.R.  (Save Our Avian Resources), a non-profit entity dedicated to the protection, rehabilitation and conservation of all American raptors.  See their link here.  http://www.soarraptors.org/

While I have seen most of the birds in the wild, it was a treat to see them up close and personal during the flight demonstrations. 

Barn Owl 

Red-Tailed Hawk 

Black Vulture 

Bald Eagle 

Bald Eagle 

There were several other birds of prey in the program as well.  All of these birds came to the organization either through injury or through too strong human habituation and, thus, are unable to survive in the wild.  The eagle, for instance, has only one wing due to being shot.  The left wing was amputated but otherwise, he thrives.  All the birds were fascinating, including the black vulture which would follow the lady around like a puppy!


As they finished each segment, the bird was brought around the room so that everyone could get a good closeup look.  I sat there near to tears at seeing the beauty of these magnificent creatures no more than two feet from my face.


With the unusually mild weather all over the country, I'm afraid that the spring migration may be disrupted.  Ah, well. I will enjoy it whenever it occurs and I'd encourage all of you to step outside and take notice.    


Y'all take care.  

Mama, Come Feed Me!!

Late yesterday afternoon while grilling our chicken for dinner, I kept hearing these shrill cries. Finally went to see what it was. There were two juvenile red-tailed hawks sitting on the cross arms of the power pole!!

I was wondering why all the birds in the yard didn't seem to pay them much attention. I called my birdlady friend and she told me that the other birds had figured out real quick that they were juveniles and weren't adept at hunting yet, so they weren't too afraid of them. In fact, after a while a bluejay started harassing them and finally both flew away, still calling loudly for mom to come feed them. Birdlady says at this time of year, they've fledged from the nest but mom still feeds them some, but that will wind up by the end of July. Then, this morning, heard one again and it was sitting upon the pole!!

There are tons of birds in my yard these days. Bluejays, cardinals, doves, red-bellied woodpeckers, chickadees, sparrows, brown thrashers, finches (house or purple - I'm always getting those mixed up), bluebirds, and mockingbirds. I've probably forgotten some of the regulars, too. Oh, I forgot the titmice!!! Occasionally there's downy woodpeckers and hairy woodpeckers, too. Sometimes at night we can hear the barred owls calling. And let's not forget those little gray squirrels!!! They sure don't forget us or the tasty "bird feed" we put out there. They eat far more of than the birds ever think about eating!!! And the finches are the only ones enjoying the hummingbird feeder right now!

Well, that picture didn't work well. It's too small to see the labels on the kinds of birds there. But there are 2 doves, a bluejay, male and female cardinal, and a brown thrasher all in that picture.

I love to watch all the activity. I grab my binoculars regularly to get a closer look at whatever is moving around out there. It is not uncommon to see 5 to 8 birds at one time around and under the feeder. I've just been watching juvenile cardinals begging for food from the male and female cardinals. Missed the begging by a millisecond!!! Darn -- but you can see the male flying away immediately after the little one was begging.

Right now, there are three juveniles tagging along with mom on the ground. Looks strange because they are nearly as big as she. The juvenile males are a mottled mess of brown and red right now -- funny looking. It's times like this that I wish I had a bird cam. It is unbelievable how much activity is taking place!!!

Did you figure out that I love birds????

Birds of Summer

Been spending way too much time inside my workroom lately and either sewing or on computer. But one of the real treats of that has been a daily show by the bluebirds as they feed on the insects in the lawn. Every afternoon when the sun seems to be brightest just outside this window, the bluebirds are swooping and turning to catch bugs. Sometimes they'll land and pick intently, and other times they snatch the insect and head off to a nearby limb or the fence. It seems they have their back to the window more than not and that makes their beautiful colors just shine!! Of course, the little females aren't as flashy but they work just as diligently. Sure wish there was some way I could show you what I'm talking about but it is pure serendipity to see them, never mind have time to get a camera!!

Today I filled the bird feeders with a luscious mix! It looked good enough that I wanted to eat it!! There were enough shelled sunflower seeds, peanuts and dried fruits in it that it was tempting! We really do have some of the best fed birds and squirrels in the county.

Earlier this spring I went on my first "big" birding trip to Louisiana and Texas. It was mind-blowing. I haven't counted up the number of species seen and it's not important in itself. The important part is that by paying attention to what is around you, you can see literally dozens or perhaps more than a hundred different kinds of birds in one single day!!! That is amazing.

Many of these were first birds for me and I couldn't be more proud. I'm trying to learn how to use a photo manipulation program so that I can label photos, etc. but thus far it has stymied me. Guess a lesson would be in order. This whole post may have to be redone. Who knows.