"ANOTHER FUN DAY!"

Today was another wonderful day as we had sun and rain...both of which we need this time of the year!

Each year in the Spring, the Scarlet Tanagers arrive to consume the inside of the buds on this tree. But, honestly, I don't know what it is.The Grey Squirrel found a perfect place to scope out another peanut.The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks are increasing in number. There are several males and females and a few immature males. My first Iris bloom this year. I wish you could smell this variety. It's so fragrant!!And close up, the colors and textures are just amazing!!This Bluejay seems so inquisitive. Possibly, a Hawk was nearby.Indigo buntingMale Red-Throated HummingbirdTufted TitmouseThe May Apple's have just started to bloom.This plant, appears to have become trapped by a fallen leaf.And, if anyone knows what type of mushroom this is in the following photo, please let me know.Can't get much better!!

"OK, HERE WAS MY DAY ON TUES. THE 13TH"

Well, let me introduce you to ANOTHER new nest in my yard...and yes, it's another Chipping Sparrow nest.

This is an updated photo on the other CS nest. The Mrs. finally took a break today and left the nest briefly. It gave me opportunity to get a shot of the eggs. Notice the one on the right, it has a very unique pattern, almost like a little halo!

Next on the list was the Nuthatch nesting box. Mrs. Nuthatch was not interested in leaving her nest at all! She waited will the last minute to flee from the front.To my dismay, none of the seven, tiny eggs are hatched yet.
Alright, on with the day from the beginning. Deciding to try an earlier walk, trying to catch the 'early bird', I found the stream still flowing heavily from the large amounts of rain we've had recently. Always a wonderful source for the animals and birds!To my amazement, the first bird I saw was an American Redstart! Please bear with me on these shots, I'm only working with a simple point and shoot camera and it's difficult to capture these birds at their best!Further along the trail I heard the beautiful song of the Scarlet Tanager at the very top of the tree.
After finding a place to sit and wait, I watched this Grey Catbird make his appearance quite often singing continually.
This Common Yellowthroat was a first for me . Isn't he a beautiful little masked fella?! It was a fortunate happening- his appearance was a quick as his disappearance. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see him!!

On my way back, I was surprised again by the site of a Hooded Warbler at the very top of the tree above me!! Oh, I can't wait to get my new camera and lens so I can get closer!

Now for the homefront. The plant in the next shot, commonly known as the Bachelor's Button, was brought home for me by my husband. He acquired it from a customer who was thinning his flower garden. I'm always up for perennials for my rock garden. The beautiful butterfly was such a beautiful addition.The Hairy Woodpecker parents are working overtime to keep up with the cries inside that perfectly circular nest hole. "Yuk, those legs over the beak just give me the creeps!"Mama pops her head out to check on me since I was standing so close to the tree.
"WOW, what a meal!""Alright, just a few more, I promise."
To finish the day off, since the weather and lighting were just delightful, I walked to my neighbor's house and found this little frog trying to hide at the pond's edge.And would you believe it, another Common Yellowthroat! And for the last shot, these two adorable Red Squirrel babies. I was hoping the third one would have entered the picture! They were having so much fun and were so inquisitive.The number '13' is usually very lucky for me...
...and today it held true, once again!

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

Let's see...it's May 12, and it's SNOWING!!

Yep, that's snow on the Mourning Dove's backs and it's not to get out of the 40's today!! BRRR that's cold!
Can you believe this shot!
I thought April showers brought May flowers, not May SNOW!
Mother Nature really needs some Prozac!

'UPDATES, ETC."

Oh, my, another nest!! This time, a Chipping Sparrow. She built the nest in a bush directly in front of my front porch.

It's interesting...instead of having simple molts like most birds and changing its body feathers once or twice a year, the Chipping Sparrow may change the feathers of its face and throat up to six times in one year. The rest of the body feathers are only replaced once or twice in the same period.

So far, she has one egg only, but should lay 3-4.
Update on the Nuthatch nest...I thought I would find babies at this point when I opened the side of the box, however, to my dismay, I found SEVEN perfectly little spotted eggs!Next... the Hairy Woodpecker family. The hatchlings are making noise all day crying out for food. And, the Mr. and Mrs. are taking turns, in and out feeding them.

As for the balance of the 'Backyard', the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is here on a regular basis. Not timid at all as he is more familiar with my movement. But, he wasn't happy with the Brown-headed Cowbird in his feeding dish.

'If looks could kill'!The holly bushes are positively 'buzzing' including this wasp......and the honey bees! I spotted this Baltimore Oriole high in a tree.

I managed to squeeze a walk in while the sun was shining yesterday. It's just so beautiful along the way with the winding stream......a dense patch of may apples, nope, no morels!!The Eastern Towhee was singing the entire time. The White-Throated Sparrow was timidly flitting from tree to tree. There must have been a nest nearby.And, I'm not sure, but I think this must have been the Mrs.It was such a perfect day for outdoor photography!

And today, it's time for the rain, but rain is good this time of the year.

The Flicker's are in and out of the nest and nothing has changed with the Bluebirds, sad to report!

"TAKE THE TIME TO OBSERVE THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU"

Update on the Hairy Woodpeckers...the babies are hatched and being fed by both parents. I sat close by snapping away as I heard them peeping away inside their 'tree house'. I will be watching for their heads to pop out.I just can't get enough of the Goldfinches. Their brilliant yellow color is mesmerizing!

Still no change with the Bluebirds. Mr. is still here and eating his mealworms, but still no sign of activity in the nest.The conditions were perfect in my front yard today and I thought I would try a few shots of my Maya. She loves her large stick. She wanted to bring it in the house but it was too wide to come through the door, hehe!And, a couple of Mourning Doves were perfectly posed in the tree behind the house. Everything looks so incredible this time of year with the fresh new leaves on the trees.Also, with the Chickadee, his surroundings are perfect to frame him!I spotted this beautiful little White-Throated Sparrow, but he didn't want to come out from under the plants. And, last but not least, the Indigo Bunting was spotted picking through the straw for grass seed. Funny, he wasn't nervous while I took many photos of him through the window.
Such beauty there is to behold in this world!