Bluebirds, The Fight was on!

This experience with two male Eastern Bluebirds was definitely a scene we will not forget.  My husband first saw them on the ground, one holding the other down.  He called to me as he realized what was happening so that I could witness this battle with him.  I am sure we were standing with mouths open, staring in disbelief. Our nesting Bluebirds were defending their nest.   The invading male was apparently trying to take over or move into the resident Bluebird's territory.  I, of course, did not have my camera lens needed for close photos in this situation.  I was thankful to have my camera with me at all.  I grabbed it and started shooting, moving as close as I could to the birds. I do not believe the two males were aware of my presence at first.  They would notice me and fly to a nearby tree later.  The feathers flew, face to face battle as you could not imagine of two small birds! Crazy! Amazing!  This was an amazing display of defending one's home.  I know that we will not forget this day!  Blessings!!!

This Week in Our Backyard Sanctuary

 We have been working to create an environment that will encourage our bird friends to stop for a visit, sit a spell,sip a bit of water or simply cool off with a refreshing bath. More than twenty have enjoyed our hospitality this week. It has been so exciting that we have found it difficult to leave our porch and camera. 
The Carolina Wren has been singing from a tree top.  The Gray Catbird can be heard in the woods or seen at the water enjoying his bath.  The Northern Cardinals fly through on a regular basis.  The American Goldfinch and the Pine Siskin are constantly eating or visiting the water. The Chipping Sparrows cover the ground areas where we have placed seed for them.  The Blue Jays love this ground feeding also.  The Hermit Thrush rarely misses his a.m. or p.m.bath.  The Pileated Woodpecker visits a nearby Oak.  The Red-bellied Woodpecker has discovered the peanut butter suet.  The Black and White Warbler travels up and down a tree, much like the Nuthatch.  He also stops for a quick drink of water.  Yesterday the White-eyed Vireo sat in a Yaupon Holly for a few seconds. Today a pair of Vireos were heard singing near the water.  The Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee visit regularly during the day.  We enjoyed a multitude of Cedar Wax-wings in the yard today. A Robin or two still visit as well as one Mockingbird and one Brown-headed Cowbird. It has been an amazing week ! We are Blessed!

The Invasion Of the American Robins

My new "birding" slogan, be careful what you wish for, you may not love it! I had been seeing many Robins in the ditches and on the grass at the entrance of our neighborhood. I shared this with my husband and made a comment, it went like this," I do not understand why we do not have any Robins in our yard".  Well!!!! I am here to tell you they(Robins in huge numbers) have been here for days. They have put their "poop" droppings everywhere.  We are afraid to leave our car outside in the driveway. They are beautiful but my cleaning out water baths several times a day is just not fun.  Our water fall is going to need major cleaning and the stains will not go away.  I love birds and am now just praying the Robins will decide to move on..... We have other adorable small birds as well as the Cedar wax-wings that would love to bathe in our water .  No chance of this happening as long as our hundreds of Robins are in the yard. We truly hear them sitting in every tree and you know they are "staging" to move in. Crazy, Crazy!  Blessings to all!

Hermit Thrush

Hermit Thrush Visits!

This adorable Hermit Thrush has entertained us for the last couple of weeks.  There are at least two visiting the waterfall each morning and evening.  The visits are around 7 a.m. and again between 5 and 5:30p.m., most days.  We have barely had coffee before we must move to the porch to watch for our little friend. Cameras set up, binoculars close, "There he is, one of us whisper".  What fun!, we are frozen in our positions, watching as the splashing lasts only a few seconds and then off he or she flies to the woods.  I sat there mesmerized by the different birds flying in for so long a few days ago that my leg went to sleep. We will certainly miss our little Thrush when he moves to his summer home . He has given us so much pleasure during this winter in our new yard. Blessings!

Red-shouldered Hawks

 This day provided a close encounter with a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks.  My spouse spotted a hawk in a hidden position sitting high in a tree.  As we moved a bit we could get a much better look .  The following photos were shot as we watched the two pulling lichen from the tree.The larger male flew over from his spot in the tree to help.  We assume they were gathering nesting material. The two of them continued gathering for several minutes.  One apparently realized we were near and off he went and then the other flew away also.  Our day had been made because of this beautiful witness of nature. Blessings!