Summer Youngsters

Our backyard has been a bird nursery this summer!  

The bluebirds are back and have successfully raised seven babies so far, with four eggs in the nest right now.  I was able to capture a nice progression on the last brood of five.

Five babies that looks like shrimp.

Hungry babies!

 Feathers emerging.

 One of the fledged back for a visit.





We also had baby finches for the first time!

Finally, this young mockingbird has been lingering around squawking at my dog. 

Peewee/Phoebe on the Fence?

It was a warm Spring day, and I observed a new bird on the fence...this is either an Eastern Wood Peewee or an Eastern Phoebe.

Our bluebird pair are exhibiting mating characteristics.  The male is flapping his wing at the female, and they have both entered the bluebird house several times over the past few days.  No nesting material yet.

Mrs. Card and the Chickadee

Spring is in the air!  My pear tree is budding, and the birds are rambunctious. 

A male cardinal has frequented my feeder recently, which has been an unexpected joy.  Today, Mrs. Cardinal made her first appearance.

I also recently saw a Carolina Chickadee visiting the feeder, which is a new bird to me.  I'm in love with its black mask!

Finally, I caught a glimpse of my favorite bird...the tufted titmouse, which is the first bird that ever visited my feeder and started my bird obsession.

I'm amazed at the variety of birds that can be observed in my own backyard!

Mourning Doves in the Morning

Caught this pair foraging along the ground this morning before a rainstorm.

A house finch enjoys a morning snack.

While this cardinal picks up the dropped seeds.

Semi-Spring

Its nearly 70 degrees today and feels like Spring.  Four bluebirds were hopping around on the fence yesterday.  Two males were harassing each other, one male was too dignified for such behavior, as was the female.  This was the dignified pair (male on the left, female on the right).

I like the expression on this guy's face (and what a beautiful blue coloring!).

This is the female checking me out.  Notice that her coloring is much lighter than the males, almost gray.

Another male:

I also caught my first photograph of a cardinal in our yard.  I rarely see cardinals here, but there was a pair flying around this week.

Starling and Robin Invasion

I've been hibernating this winter, and the only birds I've seen on a regular basis are the Carolina Chickadee and Marvin the Mockingbird.

Yesterday, we had our seventh snowfall in Middle Tennessee for the winter, which is quite unusual.  Another unusual sigiht...hundreds of starlings that arrived with the snow!

A few landed on our fence and the rooftop next door.

Joining the starlings were some of the fattest robins I've ever seen!

And, of course, Marvin.