A Variety Of Birds Are A Good Sign Of Spring

I have been enjoying the variety of birds that have returned to our area for the summer as well as the ones that are just passing through.  I photographed this Glossy Ibis at the Lilypons Water Gardens...

There have been several Great Egrets at Lilypons recently, and they will probably spend the summer...

 

A little closer to home have been a some interesting bird sightings as well, such as this Great Horned Owl...

 

And this Wood Thrush...

A new species for me was this Louisiana Waterthrush...

I photographed this Wild Turkey hen in my neighbors' yard...

Indigo Buntings are beautiful birds.  The males are brilliant...

While the females are drab and could be easily confused with any number of small birds...

This Robin has a beak full of insects to take to her brood...

I found this Red Bellied Woodpecker along a county road...

These wildflowers demonstrate that birds aren't the only colorful signs of Spring...

This male Whitetail Deer shows new antler growth that will continue until Fall signals the start of the rut...

 

Thanks for visiting, stay well, and come back soon. 

 

Baltimore Oriole Nest Activity

I have been keeping an eye on the Baltimore Oriole nest that I posted last week.  I believe there must be eggs present already.  Both the male and female take turns spending time in the nest and it does not appear that there is any more "home improvements" taking place...

If you want to see these orange beauties keep your eyes on the treetops and you may be rewarded.

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebes are members of the flycatcher family.  They are interesting to observe as they dart about snatching  insects from the air...

 

 

 

I hope you are seeing interesting birds, too.

Red-shouldered Hawk Preens and Poses

This Red-shouldered Hawk had been hunting in knee high weeds that were soaked from overnight rain.  When we came upon him he was cleaning and drying his feathers in the top of a dead tree...

 

Life is good when you are the top predator, except for those pesky little birds that don't seem to know it...

 

 

The Beautiful Baltimore Oriole

This year has provided a large number of Baltimore Oriole sightings, as well as a nest location that is easily visible to those who are willing to slow down and look for it.  These photos were taken over a period of four days.  I don't know how long the oriole had been working on her nest when it was first spotted...

The construction alternated between careful placement of nest material and numerous trips to collect more...

 

While the female was busy with nest building, the male preened and postured nearby.  Perhaps on guard to drive other orioles from their selected territory...

The nest is taking its' final shape and the sides are being filled...

 

Although she is still putting the finishing touches on it, the nest is nearly complete by the fourth day.  The male seems pleased with the results...

 

 

Thanks for visiting.  Stop back soon.