I haven’t sat out in the yard for a while. A temp of 57 this morning made it impossible to resist!
A Very Nice Break from the Heat
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Young Orioles
The fledgling orioles are out and about. They haven’t come to the jelly feeders yet, but I’ve been hearing them in the trees. They hang out nearby while the parents come for jelly. Soon, they will be coming on their own. They are so much fun to watch!
Anthropomorphizing Conversation
The house wrens are super busy bringing food to the nest box. Of course, I cannot help imagining their conversations. “I brought you this spider.”
“The kids will love this!”
“Back soon with more food.”
Birds in Danger
The Center for Biological Diversity’s June 15 press release cited a federal report noting more than 60 migratory bird species are in need of conservation: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/federal-report-more-than-260-migratory-bird-species-in-need-of-conservation-2021-06-15/
In the press release, you can find a link to the Excel file noting the species in trouble, and it is staggering. Think of the species in your part of the world that are regular visitors to your yard, the birds you see at area lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Imagine them gone. Birds we regularly see in Kansas on this list include the American white pelican, red-headed woodpecker, common nighthawk, chimney swift, rufous hummingbird, American coot, American avocet, lesser yellowlegs, Franklin’s and Ross’s gulls, common tern, little blue heron, northern harrier, belted kingfisher, orchard oriole, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, painted bunting, dickcissel, and the list goes on. The last four years did so much damage. Please support conservation in any way you can.
Backyard Action
This heat is awful. I should be used to it as a Kansan, but never! I saw a possum covered with babies this morning–so amazing! Sadly, I did not get a picture. I was standing between where she was and where she wanted to go and when I realized that, I walked around to the other side of the house. The back part of our yard is kind of intentionally wild. We let things overgrow there and create small brush piles. That’s where she was headed, and I hope that provides a safe, cool place to hang out today. Anyway, by the time I made it around from the other side of house, I saw her going into the brush, so no pic. I decided to hang around a bit longer and see if she poked out, but no luck. I did, however, get to see plenty of our other backyard friends.
Catbirds love the raisins!
The Kids are Out and About
We haven’t seen too many rabbits this spring (too many free-roaming cats in the neighborhood), so it’s nice to see this little one thriving.
This young robin was beating the heat by staying near the water bowl.
Growing Goslings
Finally, a Wetlands’ Morning Without Rain
It was cooler and cloudy this morning, but just a few sprinkles. Many of the paths were covered with water, but I decided to risk walking through it. I’m glad I did!
Many egrets and a great blue heron!
I think the smaller one is a juvenile little blue heron.
Frolicking muskrat youth. I counted five, but I only see four in this pic.
House Wrens, Orioles, and Caramel Glitter
It’s still raining every day, but we did get some sun today. I was able to get some of the yard mowed. More storms are moving in tonight. I’m counting on the weather forecast providing a good wetlands walk on Friday. In the meantime, our backyard house wren friends are very busy singing and bringing twigs to the box. They are just so adorable!
We have fewer orioles visiting the jelly feeders right now, which means they are busy feeding insects to the young ones. It is so much fun when the parents start bringing the fledglings to the feeders.
I bought this shrub on a clearance table a few years ago. It always looked like it was near death, this spring especially. I resisted pulling it up and just waited to see what happened. Now, we have these delightful little flowers. This is the first time it has bloomed. It is called Caramel Glitter Ninebark.
Rain and More Rain
It has rained every day for over a week. Paths at the wetlands are covered with water and our yard is just soaked. It’s a bit worrisome, but here’s hoping the rain lets up soon. I tried heading out to the wetlands on Friday but was rained out. I’ve been trying to get some decent pics of our backyard friends, but it is so dark out all the time right now! I’m looking forward to seeing the sun again.
It was wonderful to see a baby bunny and parent this morning!
We put up a new wren house we can see from a window. It didn’t take long for them to move in!
