Feeling like spring

Posted on March 31, 2021 by admin

Brisk spring mornings are the best!

Cardinal Fledglings

Posted on August 23, 2019 by admin

Cardinal fledglings seem to be everywhere right now. I’m so glad to see so many in our yard this summer. It’s been a tough one with the heat and severe storms just about every other day, several free-roaming neighborhood cats, and a Cooper’s hawk nest nearby.

Northern cardinal fledgling perched on wire fence looking west.

Northern cardinal fledgling perched on wire fence holding blade of grass in beak.

Close-up of Northern cardinal fledgling looking into camera.

Cardinal Fledglings

Posted on July 18, 2018 by admin

Cardinal fledglings seem to be everywhere right now. I am not complaining. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Spring Fledglings

Posted on June 23, 2016 by admin

The “Spring Fledgling” is also a neat summer drink we came up with at our house celebrating and eaglet’s first flight. Can you guess what is in it?

Click on pictures to enlarge.

2016 Spring Yard-Birds

Posted on June 23, 2016 by admin

I never mean to wait this long to post. Here are a few of our year-round residents and spring visitors. Most of these are mid-May through mid-June. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Backyard action

Posted on May 25, 2015 by admin

I love how much activity there is right now! Click on pictures to enlarge.

Blending In

Posted on January 19, 2015 by admin

I always wondered why male cardinals do not molt in the fall. It seems like that bright red would make one quite the target in the winter snow. This guy seems to be blending in pretty well. Click on pictures to enlarge.

A few fall yard birds

Posted on November 20, 2014 by admin

The year-round residents are getting into their winter groups and the winter residents like the juncos are here in abundance. Generally, at this time of year, I would be at the Wakarusa Wetlands four or more mornings a week. I know I am one of many deeply grieving this loss. I hope that those of us who are doing more feeding, putting up more cover, winter roosting boxes, and brush piles, can offset some of the habitat loss these birds are experiencing. Support the work the Haskell Students are doing here: https://www.facebook.com/wetlandspreservationorganization Click on pictures to enlarge.

Celebrating backyard birds

Posted on May 25, 2014 by admin

Sitting in the backyard is so much better than television! Click on pictures to enlarge.

And, don’t forget the mammals.

A morning of cardinals

Posted on November 14, 2013 by admin

I love the big groups of cardinals at this time of year. With many predators visiting our yard over the last few weeks, I am not seeing the big numbers of small birds that we usually see. For instance, I haven’t seen many mourning doves since I discovered three piles of mourning dove feathers in the yard over several days. I would stay away from this yard, too! What I can always count on are the big groups of cardinals that visit the feeders and water at dawn and dusk. A few nights ago, I counted eighteen at the feeders. Today, I was raking leaves and I guess a human being out there keeping the predators away made them feel a little safer. More cardinals, more chickadees, more titmice, and even a brown creeper. I do hope the mourning doves come back soon. Click on pictures to enlarge.