Welcome Back

All Spring I have been so disappointed because I have not seen some of the migrating birds that I saw in recent years. 
Sunday afternoon I just happened to look out,
and there was a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
She seemed to be enjoying the food
and not disturbed by the other birds flying in and out.      
She even sat still long enough for me to get my camera.

"I am sort of pretty, don't you think?

Monday morning I happened to see

something red and black and white

flying through some branches.

On closer look, it was a male.

However, he did not stick around to eat.

Maybe he will be back....I hope!

Pilated Woodpecker

I frequently hear the Pilated Woodpecker hammering away.

Because of the leaf cover, it is often hard to see them,

let alone to have enough light to photograph them.

Last night I heard one in their favorite tree.

As I was trying to get a picture,

I saw some other movement.

Sure enough, there was a friend.

She finally worked her way higher up into the sunlight.

The surprise came, when she took off.

Three large Pilateds flew off for another tree!

The family has grown since last year.

My Little House Wren

My Little House Wren

returned this Spring.

Every year one comes back

to live in this little house in an old lilac bush.

The nest is built

and he or she is singing

loud and long throughout the day.

We had some friends visit recently,

and one woman said, "Where is that bird?

It sounds like it is in your kitchen."

Last year they were checking out this house

...a little more upscale.

But when the final decision was made,

it was the little old cottage that was the winner.

After the nest was made,

Momma checked to see if it felt just right.

While Dad sat outside,

waiting for the "big event."

Primary Colors

Some of the frequent visitors right now to my new feeding station

have bright, primary colors.

RED is for Cardinals

BLUE is for Bluejay

 

and YELLOW is for Goldfinch

 

My Big Surprise

This year my birthday gift was "for the birds." My husband and I went to our local Wild Birds Unlimited Store, and I got a new bird feeding station. In the past, it has been very frustrating; because sometimes as fast as I put food out, my little furry friends, the squirrel, the chipmunk and the raccoon, have climbed my pole and have devoured the choice food, leaving the birds just crumbs.

So far, this has really worked. The bottom of the pole is constantly covered with muddy footprints, but no little furry creature has made it to the top. I can actually put food out and some of it will still be there the next day, and my feeders aren't laying on the ground empty and broken. Yah!

Of course, I thought, this new feeding system would attract lots and lots of neat migrating birds, and I have been a little disappointed because so far there have not been any Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Indigo Buntings. 

However, I did have a big surprise the other evening.....As I was leaving my computer/sewing room, I looked out the window; and guess what was eating at the bottom of my new feeding system...

I'm not sure who was more surprised to see whom!

I have seen Turkeys around here in the Fall of the year,

but never in the Spring....or at my feeder.

It stayed and ate even with me watching it through the window

And gave me an annoyed look every once in a while

But when I went outside to get a better picture,

it headed for the hill

and flew away up and out into the forest.

Wow!  Of course, I was just standing there

with my camera in hand and my mouth opened.

I had never seen a Turkey fly before!

Amazing how something so big could easily lift up into the air.