My Boy Blue

This blue boy showed up yesterday, and he is not our usual male bluebird.  I  believe he might be a young male since his breast seems to retain a few spots like a young bird.

He was very curious about the nest box and hung onto it at an odd angle.

He looked around and peeked inside several times. He even looked above the door!

Could this be one of my past babies?  He wasn't telling, even though he seemed like he had something to say with that open beak!

Just for proof that he was able to shut his mouth (but chose not to):  

For comparison, the below picture is our resident male bluebird.  He and the missus showed up at dusk.

Space is at a premium in the robin nest.  The babies are jostling for room and stretching their wings. They won't be in the nest much longer!

Finally, a random outdoor photo of the day:

Spiders are creepy, but their webs are amazing.

Pretty Woman

A pretty female hummingbird stopped by yesterday.  Notice how white her breast and neck are compared to the male.

A male bluebird stopped by to say hello. 

I like this jumping shot, even though its a bit blurry!

Its going to be another beautiful day!  Roll around in the grass and enjoy the sunshine!

Saturday School

A beautiful Saturday is on the agenda.  As I was on the front porch planning my landscape projects for the day, I observed one of the Robins foraging on the ground.  I believe it was the male because it was a bit darker than the other I've seen.  He already had one juicy worm in his beak, but he ran along the ground, stopped, and stuffed another worm in there.  Next stop was the nest.  Apparently, the males feed babies as well.  The female followed.

The babies already have the traditional orange spotted breast, so I'm guessing they are close to fledging.  After hatching, they stay in the nest for about fourteen days and leave the nest within two days of each other.   The babies are adorable at this age!

I also observed one of the adult birds cleaning waste material out of the nest.  Bluebirds do this as well.  Finches do not, I've learned, and they leave a mess in the nest when they leave.

The bluebird pair was back checking out nesting spots this morning!  I have an extra bluebird nest box that I haven't installed yet, which is sitting on my grill until I find a good location.  I happened to look outside, and the male bluebird was looking inside it!  His coloring was such a deep cobalt blue that I thought  he was a barn swallow at first.  I couldn't get my camera fast enough, and here is a picture of the box on the grill... with no bird...he was too fast for me.

The hummingbirds were active this morning as well.

Yesterday, I took a photo of a bluebird and a hummingbird from the same distance, which gives a nice perspective on the size of the birds.

Happy Saturday!



Regular Crowd + Two

The backyard gets very active before a storm.  Severe thunderstorms moved through the area on Thursday afternoon, and the regular crowd shuffled in:

Brown-headed Cowbird

Robin with Dinner

Female House Finch

A lone Starling also made a surprise appearance.  Where there is one Starling, there are usually 300!  They are very social birds and travel in flocks, but I only saw one this time.  Although they may be considered a pest, I like their colors--very peacock-like.  

Our male hummingbird was in full guarding mode.

A new male appeared (the markings on the birds are different), and a quick scuffle started, but they took it to another yard.  The new male paused a few times so I could get a few nice pics.  He likes the same feeder perch the other one does!

Some resources indicate that males may migrate first as "scouts" to find the best territories for breeding. This is the first year I've noticed more males early in the season.  In fact, I've only seen one female so far this year, and she is very skittish.

I'm still waiting to see a hummingbird nest.  Don't these birds know that my yard is the local bird nursery?  Do I need to make a sign?

Creatures of Habit

Our resident male hummingbird has a favorite perch on a particular feeder and won't try other feeders.  If he doesn't break out of this habit, my pictures are going to be very boring this year!

This pair of photos below is the same bird and illustrates the gorget color depending on how the light strikes.

I have other creatures of habit in my home as well.  See below where the dogs take the same arc in the grass every time they are let out into the backyard!

On the Menu

I'll be honest.  I can't tell a difference between male and female Robins yet.  I'm guessing the picture below is Mama Robin diligently working to gather food for babies.   CAUTION:  grossness follows.  I'm sure this worm will make a great meal for the babies, but YUCK!

I very much prefer the hummingbird dinner choice of sweet water over worms!  The below photos are all the male ruby-throated hummingbird.  At least two females are currently visiting the feeders as well now.

Baby Robins!

Yesterday, my father-in-law noticed a Robin feeding babies in a nest in our front yard pear tree.  He saw at least three baby beaks open wide for worms.

I got out my ladder today and discovered four baby Robins in the nest!  I'm surprised at how much they look like bluebirds, although their heads are notably larger.  These are the first Robin babies I've seen. Exciting!

Got Him!

My hummingbird friend decided to be cooperative today!  He found an ideal guarding location between my feeders and diligently scanned the yard for trespassers.

A few still shots...

I also have some exciting baby news!  Robin babies have hatched in one of the front yard nests!  Mrs. Robin is keeping them warm and dry in the rain.

When the weather clears, I'll try to get a baby photo!

A trio of bright goldfinches brightened this dreary, cloudy afternoon.    Who needs the sun?

One in the Tree, One on the Fence