Happy Independence Day!

May you have a wonderful, safe Independence Day!

Eastern Bluebird in foreground of American Flag, 

Photo taken May 2014

First Juvenile Cardinals of 2015

It's nesting season again and some of the local Northern Cardinals have already produced their first broods.  I counted six young Cardinals at the bird feeders yesterday (all present at the same time). They're rather unattractive right now with their splotchy patches of red feathers and dusky beaks. However, it won't take long for them to mature into their beautiful red plumage and red-orange beaks. I enjoy seeing the changes occur as they mature.

I also enjoy watching these inexperienced youngsters in flight.  Their clumsiness sometimes finds them in the weirdest positions, like the one in the first photo- ouch, what a rough landing!  

Being the youngsters they are, they fight a lot at the feeders.  I rarely see two juveniles eating from the same feeder.  This behavior was probably learned from the nest as they had to assure they received their share of food brought in by their parents.

I wish you all a great weekend and to those of you who reside in the U.S., 

I wish you a wonderful Independence Day!

Courtin' Cardinals

Love is in the air- 

Photos of some of the juvenile Cardinals coming up...

Feeling Squirrely

Good evening, Everyone!  Wow- it's been well over a week since I've posted anything here.  I apologize for becoming so slack.  It seems time just leaps when we're so darn busy!  I hope you are all doing well and have had a great week.  I've visited some of your blogs but haven't left any comments lately (I'm sorry!).  

I captured these shots a few weeks ago of a frisky Mama Squirrrel as she made herself welcome to the snacks in the bird feeders.  She's a cutie, alright.  I think my favorite shot is the second one- it reminds me of catching a kid in the cookie jar ;)

I love watching the squirrels in our back yard...they're so funny.  Their stunts are amazing as well. 

Have a great Friday!

A Gray Catbird Visits

I was fortunate enough to enjoy the company of a Gray Catbird for a few days while he or she hung out at the feeders and foraged around the edges of our back yard.  This was only the second time I've seen a catbird.  

Hi there, Mrs. C.  Did you happen to see a bird dressed like me fly through?
He's an imposter, I tell you, an imposter!!!

I think he may have gone that-away, but I'm not certain.

Well anyways, if ya see him, please report to me immediately!

Hmmmmm.  Wonder where that copy cat might be...

Guess I'll hang out a little while to see if he shows up.

How do ya like this pose?  Pretty awesome, huh ;)

What about this one- a more "serious" pose.  

Hey, I kinda like this one- looking out over the great stretch of green grass.
Hey lady, your lawn needs to be mowed really bad!

Wait, I think I see something.  Is that who I think it is?  Think I'll go check it out.  Later, folks!

Have a great Wednesday and be sure to visit our great host Stewart at

Wild Bird Wednesday

Eastern Towhee

Good Morning Everyone!  Hopefully this week is off to a great start for you.  I had to work all weekend so I was glad to see it come to a close.  I'm ready to catch up on my sleep now.

Before I sink into my wonderful, cozy bed, I thought I'd share a few photos of an Eastern Towhee that has been hanging around for several weeks.  I've seen a second one a few times but have yet to get photos of it- I believe it's a female, probably the mate of this one.  Their eyes are pretty yet strange, appearing reddish or orange at times.  It's a rare treat for me to have towhees within camera range so I've enjoyed watching them forage around on the ground and in the feeders.   

Have a great day!

Brown Thrasher Couple

A pair of Brown Thrashers have made themselves at home nearby.  Every day the couple is seen foraging through the grassy back yard, at the forest edge or on the loose piles of brush currently stacked in our yard.  

They visit the bird feeders as well.  There they make a mess, 

thrashing through the seeds and spilling some of them out onto the ground below.  

The thrashers stop in often at the bird baths to quench their thirst...

They're fun to watch, particularly when they run across the yard- even from a distance I can positively identify them just by their rapid forward gait.  

I wish I had their speed sometimes- I could get things done much sooner!

I hope you all have a great weekend.  My kid brother is in town this week and I happen to be off work, so I plan to spend time with him and my other siblings.  What fun!