Hungry Wrens

Posted on July 2, 2021 by admin

We’re finally seeing the wren babies, just little hungry heads poking out for food. They are keeping the parents very busy!

Anthropomorphizing Conversation

Posted on June 22, 2021 by admin

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.”

Backyard Action

Posted on June 12, 2021 by admin

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!

House Wrens, Orioles, and Caramel Glitter

Posted on May 26, 2021 by admin

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

Posted on May 24, 2021 by admin

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!

Wakarusa Wetlands Winter 2009

Posted on May 4, 2014 by admin

The places where the marsh wren and muskrat photos were taken have been bulldozed. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Sedge Wren

Posted on October 10, 2013 by admin

Sedge wren at the Wakarusa Wetlands whose habitat is about to be destroyed by the SLT. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Snow days

Posted on January 11, 2011 by admin

We finally got our big snow. I know–it’s relative. We didn’t get nearly what others have. I never did hear what we ended up with, but my guess is less than a foot. It’s mighty cold with the wind blowing! An arctic blast is on the way. I’ve filled all the feeders and made some tasty vegan suet for the Carolina wrens. My thoughts are with them over the next few very cold days. Click on pictures to enlarge.