Fawns!

It’s always a treat to get to see fawns with their parents. I usually do not see many still with their spots. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

 

Heat and more heat

If you can, put out a water bowl for neighborhood animals. With temperatures expected in the hundreds for the rest of the week here in Kansas, everyone needs to stay hydrated. I’ve even been hearing about many hawks and owls around the area visiting sprinklers and bird baths to keep cool.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

The catbird seat

When one of our neighbors started destroying backyard habitat last year right after Westar had sent their tree butchers out, I was very concerned about the birds who nest here every summer. Shortly after, a nearby slumlord rented to the family from hell, complete with a preteen who liked pissing off the roof and throwing rocks, sticks, and whatever he could get his hands on at the neighborhood wildlife. Things looked bad and we were thinking about considerable debt to get a high privacy fence to protect our yard and those who live there. Our backyard is generally host to a large diversity of birds who make it their home during breeding season. I was particularly worried about the secretive gray catbirds who use the thick hedges along the backs of several yards. Fortunately, when the catbirds arrived this spring, the slumlord had kicked out the family and much of the thicket around the trees and fences was starting to grow back. I was overjoyed this morning to be out wandering around in the yard and discover fledgling catbird and parent hopping around in the thicket. The light was not so good, so the pics are a little dark, but you get the idea. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Bald cardinals

You may have seen some bald birds around your yard this summer. Not to worry; it seems to be a summer thing for quite a few birds. The first time I saw a bald Northern cardinal in our yard, I was very worried about her, but according to Cornell, this may be quite normal, and nothing to worry about. I have to wonder if the bald cardinals I’ve been seeing around the yard for the last couple of weeks are much cooler without those head feathers. First the female nesting in our yard showed up completely bald and now the male has too. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

She has all her feathers back now. 🙂

© Chris Taylor

And, they have a new nest.

© Chris Taylor

Brown thrasher

They are just nifty! I love watching them root around and dart in and out of the bushes. We are very lucky to have them nesting in the yard every year. This morning when I was watering our small trees, one kept running in and out of the water. It is incredibly hot in Kansas right now.  Keep those bird baths full. If you do not have one, put some water out in a bowl. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Juvenile, waiting for a bite to eat.

© Chris Taylor