Birds on Parade

As most of you know, I love birds.  And I believe most of you do as well.  Winter is a great time to view birds!  They are easily seen flitting about looking for a meal on the ground or at the feeder.  The trees are bare now, so it's a great time to see them there!  Grayden and I are back to our walks and saw this menacing red-shouldered hawk in a tree looking for a meal.  His meals are usually my birds!  Yes, I consider them mine, unless they are at a neighbor's feeder!

As a mighty hunter, he has no mercy on what he captures.  I unfortunately have seen him pick up an unsuspecting squirrel!

Watch out Sammy! 

The birds love to eat the suet we hang each winter.  Grayden covers the suet in cayenne pepper to keep the squirrels from devouring the whole cake in a day.  This male downy woodpecker is getting his meal with no problems.

  

This little purple finch is enjoying the new feeder that was a gift from our son.  It holds an enormous amount of seed, so we don't have to refill often.

It's so much fun to watch these little birds as they move about during the day searching for food at the feeder or on the ground.

The Junco or snow bird tends to be a ground feeder as well.  Are we going to get the snow that has been predicted, little one?

And then we get a big thrill every afternoon when the big boy comes to visit. Last year he or one of his friends came with their mate.  This year he's been alone.  Until....Yesterday!

At first we thought it was a male and female.  Then when we realized it was two males and things started to get interesting.

These two males followed each other around, and around, and around the tree for well over thirty minutes.  Each one not allowing the other to eat from the suet feeder.  It was so funny, but sad as well.  

As soon as one would get close, the other would get him away from the feeder.

The female red bellied woodpecker is wondering why in the world these two males can't share!  Nature never ceases to amaze me!  I hope you are able to find JOY as you view nature and all that it entails. 

" As long as you have a window, life is exciting. "  Gladys Taber

Around our Garden

Spring races along happily in May.  The ever growing plants fill in the empty landscape with green.  The warmer temperatures speed up the growth of all the plants and blossoms.  A down side, if there is one, is all the pollen that covers everything in sight.  If you have allergies this can be quite an issue.  Our sweet grandson, that lives with us, mows the lawn.  This year he has had quite a problem with all the pollen.  Lot's of watery eyes and sneezing fits follow him.  He insists that the mowing be his job and continues with the task.

The Viburnum blossoms light up the back fence.

The bunnies are in abundance in our yard.  Did you know if you see an angle cut on a stem, it was eaten by a bunny.  I wonder how I know this?

The Red or Eastern Columbine is a native wildflower that is pollinated by hummingbirds and butterflies.  I got the seed of this wildflower from a friend's garden many years ago.  The genus name is Aquilegia that comes from the Latin meaning "an eagle" referring to the eagle's claw shape of the petals.  Native Americans used this plant to treat many ailments.

The Lily of the Valley plant is one of the sweetest blossoms of Spring.  I've picked many bouquets to fill and bring inside to enjoy.  These beauties are often seen in bridal bouquets.  

This is a Native non-invasive honeysuckle shrub.  It is not the vine that can be a problem in your landscape.  In the fall it is beautiful with red berries.  Unfortunately it has no fragrance like the invasive honeysuckle vine.

It's fun to enjoy the Spring mild temperatures from the out of doors.

If I remember to bring my camera, sometimes the birds will pose for a photo.  We often have purple finch visit the feeder.

This chickadee was singing so loudly.  I think she wanted us to move on as she wanted to feed her baby.

I pretty much know all of the birds that frequent our garden.  This beautiful Indigo Bunting absolutely made my day with his appearance! 

I hope you are seeing life outside your windows this Spring.  Even if you are not an outdoor person, do check out the beauty that surrounds your home.  It's really quite amazing.  Have you seen anything unusual in your garden this year?  I'd love to know.