Backyard Birds: May 2020

Photos of our backyard birds taken during May

(birds that aren't posted elsewhere):

First of all, my favorite bird pic this month is this gorgeous Northern Cardinal male...

There are tons of Mourning Doves in our backyard. They visit throughout the daylight hours, often as couples. I sometimes feel sorry for the females because the males constantly chase them down and pounce on them. It certainly doesn't appear to be a courtship behavior although it may be. I haven't really researched enough about the behavior of these birds. I love to hear their soft gentle calls during the day.

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Sweet Mourning Dove couple

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Female Northern Cardinal

The bluebird parents have been doing a little bit of house cleaning lately. Maybe they're preparing for their next family :)

Male Eastern Bluebird

I was excited to see several Tufted Titmouse fledglings at the feeders. There's probably 5 or 6 of these babies. It's so much fun to watch them developing their flying skills. They meander around the feeders while trying to decide how and where to land. They often land in some precarious positions on the pole or hangers. I love their bushy little eyebrows and tiny tufts on top of their heads. They're so stinking cute!

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I've seen several Carolina Chickadee fledglings but haven't had the opportunity to photograph them yet. There are babies everywhere right now!

Bluebirds Learning Independence

I've literally had the pleasure of watching these bluebirds grow and learn from their parents. They're often in the tree tops of our small fruit trees in the field, watching and waiting for something to move in the grass below. Sometimes it's a worm, sometimes a cricket or grasshopper. Sometimes it's only an illusion. It's amazing how fast they grow and learn- but necessary because birds have many, many predators.

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Sunday Morning Bird Prayer

It's a beautiful Sunday morning and this little Titmouse birdie is saying its prayers- "Thank you Lord for allowing me to live yet another day- for allowing me to escape the clutches of the mean and sneaky cat that roams around this yard. Thank you for the tasty tidbits provided by the sweet lady who lives here. She spoils us and looks after us. She gets a little fanatic with her camera out here sometimes, but we try to overlook her eccentricities. Thank you Lord for being our divine Creator and providing us our daily needs. Amen". Have a blessed day, everyone!

Sweet Cardinal Couple

Sweet Cardinal couple. It's mating season so there are several pairs of them around here. My very favorite bird...

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Stashing Seeds

Redheaded Woodpecker stashing his sunflower seed in pine bark- do you think he'll remember where he placed it? I had to google it and read that birds that store food may hide hundreds or thousands of seeds every year. Many species not only remember their hiding places, but what kind of tidbit they hid in each particular place. Some are extra cautious and may re-hide seeds if they think another animal saw the hiding spot.

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Back Yard Project: May 10, 2020

Yesterday I planted several new pretty plants in the "fallen logs" area in front of our back yard patio while Charlie cleared out brush in the back of our property, near our property line.

Pink Mandevilla

Red Begonia

Pink & Lime Caladiums

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New Guinea Impatiens

White Begonia (on left)

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Dead Nettle (in ground)

I found 2 Dead Nettle plants at the WalMart garden center. They're slightly shriveled up from dehydration but I think they'll perk up and be fine in a few days. I love the foliage colors of the Dead Nettle and the purple blooms are just as pretty.

I love how the morning sun filters in between the trees.

Back Yard Project: May 9, 2020

Charlie and I had a long day in the back yard today. We cleaned up the area under the line of shade trees, lined it with black landscaping fabric, planted some shrubs and flowers then added mulch. It took several hours and quite a bit of hard work but it's worth it. It turned out great! Little by little our back yard is turning into a woodland park and I love it! 

I purchased a few new flower pots from Lowe's. The ceramic ones are my faves. I planted coral Impatiens, pink and white Begonia, red Begonia, Hostas, Hydrangeas, Big Foot Cleyera, Coppertop Sweet Viburnum, Red Diamond Midsize Loropetalum, and some small Loropetalum. I added another Oak Leaf Hydrangea between the two that were planted last year. I actually had three but lost one during winter. I also added a pot of elephant ears from last year.

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My Mom's favorite flowers were hydrangeas. I planted three of them a couple years ago, but I wanted more because I love them as well. So this year I planted three more. These are also in memory of Mom. I added this beautiful Angel figurine between the hydrangeas in her honor. It feels special to me, just as she did. And what better time of the year could I do this than tomorrow, since it is Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day in Heaven, Mom.

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Evenings are especially pretty in our back yard. The sun sets over the hill across the street and its light filters through the trees. 

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