TINY LESSER GOLDFINCH SITTING ON A TRELLIS

TINY LESSER GOLDFINCH SITTING ON A TRELLIS

THIS IS ONE REASON WHY I HAVE TRELLISES ALL OVER MY YARD. SEE THE TINY LESSER GOLDFINCH ON THE WHITE TRELLIS. IF HE WAS UP IN A TREE I WOULDN'T GET TO SEE HIM. (THE OTHER REASON IS, I LOVE VINES!)

BEAUTIFUL HAWK ON MY BIRD BATH

BEAUTIFUL HAWK ON MY BIRD BATH

Look at this beautiful hawk sitting on my bird bath. From the really noisy hawk sounds, I've been thinking there was a hawk's nest in my neighbor's tree. Look how huge it is!! 

TINY LESSER GOLDFINCH LOVING HIS BATH ~ MY BACKYARD

TINY LESSER GOLDFINCH LOVING HIS BATH ~ MY BACKYARD

I'm going to figure out how to keep my camera steady :)
(for a larger view click on YouTube in the lower right corner)

YELLOW MIGRATING BIRDS VISITING MY YARD ON THEIR WAY SOUTH

YELLOW MIGRATING BIRDS VISITING MY YARD ON THEIR WAY SOUTH

LOOKIE WHO'S HERE 

HEY THERE!

Beautiful little migrating birds.

This one might be a "yellow warbler".  Not sure.

Look at this little birdie ~ looking back at me.

It's a lot smaller than the one above.

It loves to bathe in the water that I (purposely) leave on the rocks.

That little bird's flock is here today.

He's loving bathing on the stones, too.
It's such a joy for me to see them happy in my yard, flitting back and forth.

Remember, it seems I always see new ones just in front of cold fronts.

I LOVE this time of year!!!

KNOCK KNOCK ~ MR. CARDINAL CAME FOR DINNER

KNOCK KNOCK ~ MR. CARDINAL CAME FOR DINNER

As usual, Mr. Cardinal came flying over and I put sunflower seeds on the front porch.

His mate and two babies came over.  They were feeding each other.

BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LESSER GOLDFINCHES AT MY THISTLE FEEDERS

BEAUTIFUL LITTLE LESSER GOLDFINCHES AT MY THISTLE FEEDERS

Video of lesser goldfinches at my feeders

(for a larger view, click on "youtube" in lower right corner)

These wonderful little yellow birds are lesser goldfinches. 

They are native to this area, but I only have a few in the summertime.  I believe most of the ones at my feeders right now have migrated from somewhere up north and they'll stay here until spring. 

 The ones that are native always bring their babies back in the spring to show them a food source.  Those babies are really noisy, begging for food.

I have four feeders out right now.  When I look out of my kitchen window, I see a sea of gold and black.  You can see the black backed and the others are called green backed lesser goldfinches.  They're so tiny.

Up in the trees, they are always singing their sweet little songs.

It's such a joy to have them at my thistle feeders.

LOVING THIS TIME OF YEAR ~ MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES VISITING MY GARDEN

LOVING THIS TIME OF YEAR ~ MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES VISITING MY GARDEN

 Lots of hummingbirds are buzzing around my flowers.  I think a lot of them are passing through on their way south.  Usually, I see them chasing each other away from the feeder and nectar sources.  But, two of them were getting along just fine and I wonder about that.
 Are they family?

This year, September has been an easy work month with a lot of artwork at home, instead of going to my clients' homes.  Because of that, I have seen the most beautiful migrating birds visiting my yard.  I have lots of pictures and will share them with you soon.  It's mostly orioles and little yellow birds I haven't identified.  One was a yellow warbler.  Other tiny yellow birds come in flocks and stay for a while then move on south.
Last year, I was very busy working away from home and missed a lot.

I've seen a couple of monarch butterflies around my butterfly weed that I grow just for them.  I'll check for eggs.  Last year this happened on their way to Mexico.  I found out that the butterflies hatching from those eggs would not be heading to Mexico.  They would stay here and wait for spring.  Their plight is so interesting.  There are lots of videos if you google monarch migration.  There are lots of other butterflies in my yard, too.  I find that when all of the birds are finished feeding their young, butterflies are no longer a delicacy for them.

I just looked out my kitchen window and there is a monarch butterfly fluttering around the butterfly weed.  I can always tell a monarch because they flutter their wings differently.  I don't have a lot of them, yet.  Soon there will be more because their migration south started a few weeks ago. 

This is such a good time of year for nature.

The weather is finally cooling off.

Have a great week!

ANOTHER TINY MIGRATING BIRD VISITING MY YARD TODAY

ANOTHER TINY MIGRATING BIRD VISITING MY YARD TODAY

Another little migrating bird visiting my yard.

This little fella has visited my yard several times in the past as he was passing through.

He has a dark greeny back and bright yellow tummy and hop, hop, hops everywhere.  He usually has a lighter colored mate.  Maybe I'll see her tomorrow.

FIRST MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLE AT MY BIRD BATH

FIRST MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLE AT MY BIRD BATH

This is the time of year that I start seeing migrating birds at my bird bath.

It's such a fun time of year for me.

This oriole has been here since Sunday morning.  I saw a beautiful male oriole fly across my yard.  Usually, I see a couple of them first and then several.  These might be scouts.
Yesterday, I saw a large dark speckled bird bathing, but not sure what it was and didn't get a picture.
The sparrows and doves always guard the bird bath and when they start suddenly gathering, I know a new bird is nearby and coming for a drink and a bath.  That oriole was fighting with a sparrow and the oriole won and took a good splashy bath.

The flower bed around the bird bath was overgrown and there were a few tall pot plants close by.  So, a few days ago, I cleaned out the weeds and moved everything tall.  Last year I noticed that the birds were a little bit leery about landing on the bird bath.  I think they were afraid predators might be hiding.  They have a clear path, now.

I always notice that most of the migrating birds come in front of a cold front and there's one on the way.  I think it will be here tomorrow night or Thursday.

I'm ready!! and, will be taking as many pictures as I can and will be sharing them with you.

CAN YOU HEAR THE CARDINALS SINGING? IT'S NESTING TIME IN SOUTH TEXAS

CAN YOU HEAR THE CARDINALS SINGING? IT'S NESTING TIME IN SOUTH TEXAS

LISTEN FOR THE LITTLE WRENS CALLING, TOO.  

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

MY BLACK EYED SUSAN VINE & MS. WOODPECKER IS ROOSTING IN MY GARDEN AGAIN

MY BLACK EYED SUSAN VINE & MS. WOODPECKER ROOSTING IN MY GARDEN AGAIN

Oh, my black eyed susan vine!  

The seeds that dropped last fall came up everywhere.  All spring and summer I always keep breaking it back so it doesn't completely cover all of the other plants in my garden.  Then, around July I let it start weaving it's way anywhere it wants to go.  Because in October when all of the other plants are looking tired and worn this little vine with it's beautiful bright yellow flowers will be all over my yard and blooming up a storm.  It will bloom now until it freezes back, drop more seeds and come up everywhere in the spring, again.

Finally, a really chilly cold front came through a couple of days ago.  At this time of year, I notice the birds looking for their winter roosting place.  

The top portal of this green birdhouse was chewed wider by a squirrel a few years ago.  About four years ago, I planned to repair it.  Then, about dusk one evening I noticed a woodpecker checking, checking, checking inside of it and then climbed in, turned around and went in backwards.  I kept watching and it never came out.  Many winter evenings, I would watch for it and it did come around dusk and check it out, then climb in, turn around and go in backwards because the house is very narrow.

So, as I was watching for it one evening, it came and started checking the inside before it went in.  Then, it started pecking and pecking at something.  I thought it might be a snake curled up in there.  After several peckings, another woodpecker climbed out and flew away.  I was amazed!!

You never know when it's the last winter for each bird.  So, the last few days I've been watching and about four days ago, here she came.  She inspected several of the other birdhouses and then she climbed in the green one.  

See her climbing in at the top of the birdhouse.

She turned around and hung her head out, checking out the surroundings.  I haven't seen her at dusk yet, but I'm sure this is her winter roost again.  See her leaning out of the portal at the top of the birdhouse?

This is the nesting house I built for the woodpeckers a few years ago.  I've only seen them in it once and they raised two babies.  I always watch for them in the spring.  Maybe next spring they'll use it again.  I COULD NOT keep the squirrels out of it, so I put 6" metal flashing around the bottom.  That made it hard for them to reach from the post and climb up.  The flashing is slippery and 6" wide.

Anyway, I was glad to see Ms. Woodpecker choosing my yard as her roosting place again.

These are the things that make me happy.

BABY SQUIRREL, QUEEN'S CROWN & MIGRATING ROBIN VISITED MY GARDEN

BABY SQUIRREL, QUEEN'S CROWN & MIGRATING ROBIN VISITING MY GARDEN

This baby squirrel came to visit today.
A couple of weeks ago, a mama squirrel with swollen milk bumps on her tummy came to the bird feeder.  I figured she might have babies and there was lots of ceyenne pepper on the sunflower seeds.  I was hoping she wouldn't take it back to her babies and I think she realized the same thing because she didn't come back.  This baby didn't go to the feeder, it just kept playing with the tree.

Then, Pepper showed up on the roof about 4' from it and it didn't even know Pepper was dangererous.  I hit the window and it ran away.  Thank goodness Pepper isn't aggressive.

Isn't it beautiful how this queen's crown grows on my fence.  The honey bees just love it and were swarming all over it.  I love vines!

And, this afternoon there was a robin in my yard.  I didn't get a good picture of her.  I think it's a she because she wasn't terribly bright red.  But, no mistaking the white rings around her eyes.  She was foraging in one of my flower beds where there are LOTS of earthworms.  

These were the best pictures I could get today.  I'll try again tomorrow.

Earlier today I saw a little yellow migrating bird at the bird bath, too.  I've seen several of them for a couple of weeks. 

 I always think these migrating birds come in and move on with cold fronts.  I'll watch the weather and see if one is on the way.

I love seeing the migrating birds and so glad they stop by my garden for a spell.

MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN MY GARDEN 2014

MIGRATING BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN MY GARDEN 2014

These are the migrating baltimore orioles that I got to see this year.  And, a few more flock members, but still no vibrantly beautiful orange and black patriarch.

For many years, I had lots of orioles and one or several adult males.  I don't know if the drought has changed their flight path or what is going on.  I really miss seeing the flocks like I used to.  I will be looking forward to them again next year and hoping they remember my yard.

That little cardinal is there to greet them.  She was fascinated with the visitors.

This is how I can usually get good pictures of the migrating birds in the fall and a few in the spring.

I very carefully take these pictures through my blinds.  Well, not so carefully this time.  I was in a hurry to get the pictures before they flew away.

For several days now we've had really good rain.  The weather man said we will be having good rains for the next several days, too.

Certainly hope he's right.

I'm so thankful for any rain we get!!

NO BALTIMORE ORIOLES THIS YEAR. OH, WELL!!

     This is the first year in many years that I haven't seen baltimore orioles in my yard.  I've seen several other migrating birds, but I'm really disappointed that I didn't get to see a flock of these amazingly beautiful birds this year.
     I do believe it has something to do with the weather.  In the past, I've always seen the orioles between mid August and mid September.  They always seem to come in with the cold fronts and we finally had one, but it was really late for a first cold front.



     This photo is from last year.  A whole flock of orioles stayed in my yard, coming and going, for a whole day and I was here all day watching them.  Because of the weather, maybe it's not too late and I do keep looking for them.  Oh well, for sure next year!!

MIGRATING ORANGE TUMMIED BIRD STILL HERE & A FLYCATCHER AT MY BIRD BATH

     It is soooo hot here and can't believe this orange tummied bird is still around.  It's shaped and looks like an oriole, but doesn't have wing bars.  It's back is a browny greenie color.  I'm thinking it might be a scout and waiting for it's flock.  But, we'll see and I'll be watching.
   

And, the other one looks like a flycatcher because of the shape of it's head.  I'm just so glad I'm home and get to see these beautiful migrating birds.  I'm so happy they come to my yard.  I will make sure they have plenty of fresh waater.

TUES:SidewalkShoes,

SECOND SIGHTING OF A MIGRATING BIRD AT MY BIRD BATH

Today, my second sighting of a migrating bird in my yard.  I'm pretty sure the post below and this bird are baltimore orioles at various stages of maturity.  I always start seeing the baltimore orioles in my yard from mid August to mid September.

MY FIRST SIGHTING! MIGRATING BIRDS ARE ON THEIR WAY SOUTH!!

My first sighting of the migrating birds that pass through my yard every fall.  This is the time of year that I start watching for them.  I'm never quite sure what kind they are, but am thrilled, anyway, that they come to my yard on their way to wherever they're going.

This one looks like some kind of oriole to me.  It's kind of big and was not afraid of the sparrows that were trying to chase it off.

I think water is the most important thing you can offer them.  They'll find bugs and seeds, but water is hard to find.

I am happy, happy, happy!!

TUES:Sidewalkshoes,WED:ASouthernDaydreamer,FRI:FloralFriday,

BEAUTIFUL MIGRATING ORCHARD ORIOLE VISITING MY YARD, TODAY

     Today, as I was looking out of my kitchen window, I saw the limbs of my orange esperanza moving and I watched very closely.  I knew it was a bird and by the way the limbs were moving, I could tell it wasn't a small bird.  Then, I saw him!!  An orchard oriole was visiting my yard, again.

                               
                                                               (allaboutbirds.org)

     When birds are migrating during the fall, I always see lots of them in my yard, just in front of cold fronts.  I always wonder if the wind is moving them, or if the atmosphere is pushing them along.
     In the spring, I rarely see migrating birds, but this spring I've seen quite a few.  Maybe, because of the late cold fronts and the unusual weather we've been having.  Whatever the reason, I've loved seeing them in my yard, again.

PAINTED BUNTING & OTHER MIGRATING BIRDS IN MY YARD

April 24, 2013

     Look who's in my yard right now, sitting on the bird bath!!!  A Painted Bunting and he's soooo beautiful with the colors you see and lime green on his back.  I'm sure his emerald green mate is here, too, just haven't seen her, yet.  I'll keep trying to get better photos.  I think it's the one who's been here before, because he moves around and acts like he knows his way around my yard.  I'm SO thrilled !!

April 26, 2013

     The past few days, I've seen so many migrating single birds.  In the spring I usually don't see any, but I think the cold fronts and unusual weather are pushing them back here.  Usually, they're in a hurry to get back home for nesting.  The last of my american goldfinches left about two weeks ago, but yesterday,  there was a lone male in my yard and I saw a flycatcher.  There were a couple of birds I didn't recognize, but they are all very welcome in my yard!!

WATER IRISES & CEDAR WAXWINGS...SPRING IS HERE!

This is such a nice time of year.  The water irises in my fish pond are beginning to bloom and they're always so beautiful.  The only problem, they just don't last very long.

And, I rarely see migrating birds in the spring because they're in such a hurry to get back home for nesting.  But, the bad weather up north has kept lots of them here and I see one or two a day.

The American Goldfinches have been here all winter and are just now coloring out, getting ready to head back home for nesting, too.  All winter, they were a soft dull yellow and now, they're turning so beautifully bright yellow, just before they head back home. 

The cedar waxwings are here and they're always in a large flock.  They visit my yard for a short time in the fall, but I don't usually see them in the spring.  Because of the bad weather up north, they're hanging out here and, as beautiful as they are, I'm wishing they would go on home.  They leave black droppings all over my rock walks and I'm having to clean them every day.  They come in a flock of 50 to 75 at a time.  They really are beautiful birds!  If you Google them, you'll see all of the different colors they have on their bodies and tails.

TUES:ASouthernDaydreamer,