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.