Did you know hummingbirds are the smallest of birds measuring from just under three inches to a little over 5-inches? Yet these petite birds are most fascinating and so exciting to watch as they flit to and fro each summer. One recent rainy day, a tiny hummingbird perched right outside my kitchen window for most of the morning allowing me to get this amazing video.Continue Reading
Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
One of my favorite summer activities is watching hummingbirds. I wait expectantly for their arrival each spring and set out feeders to attract them to my yard and windows. You can make your own hummingbird nectar with this easy recipe that attracts these fascinating, tiny birds who can fly at speeds greater than 33 miles per hour and flap their wings 720 to 5400 times per minute when hovering. A hummingbird flaps its wings up to 70 times per second and its heart rate can reach 1,260 beats per minute.Continue Reading
Your Grace Finds Me
Your Grace Finds Me. Something about seeing these two doves just perched on the arms of a chair that reminded my of a song. I hope you will enjoy it too.(Scroll for lyrics and video of this beautiful and encouraging song by Matt Redman)
Baltimore Oriole Surprise Visit to the Hummingbird Feeder
Oh, was I excited! I peeked out the window and was I surprised to see a bird on the hummingbird feeder. A brilliant colored bird that I had never seen in real life before. I knew from its plumage it was a Baltimore Oriole. The vivid orange and black bird was stunning. Although they are common in eastern North America’s open woods and backyards during the summer, this migratory bird was a newcomer to my yard.
Cardinal in Winter
I saw a cardinal on a branch outside our powder room window. I was able to get a few photos. I wanted to add a verse or poem for my Sunday post but couldn’t find something I liked. Our granddaughter, Keri Jill, told me she likes to write poetry and in a few minutes read to me the following short and sweet poem about a cardinal in winter.Continue Reading
Nesting
I watched as a pair of sparrows flitted about this lantern on the patio and wasn’t surprised when I saw a couple of days later they had built a nest atop the candle in the holder. I think she found a perfect nesting home for her young.Continue Reading
Mourning Doves and Cardinal at the Birdbath
a little mellow
a little out of focus
a little blurry
a little contemplative
a little thoughtful
a little waiting
a little sad
Homely Baby Bird
A baby wren has hatched from the nest built in my porch hanging basket. I guess it will take a some time for this little fellow to develop into a handsome mature bird like his parents.
Barn Swallows
My photos are totally blurred and out of focus but still a thrill to see this pair of barn swallows swoop and swirl on the front porch early one morning.
Nesting Wrens
Nesting Wrens are the new occupants among the Petunias and Inpatients.Continue Reading
That’s Not a Hummingbird it is a Baltimore Oriole
But just as exciting to see! Imagine our surprise to see a beautiful Baltimore Oriole on this dreary morning on the hummingbird feeder. We don’t remember ever seeing an Oriole in our yard.
Nesting Mourning Doves
Coopers Hawk and Other Backyard Birds
What a surprise to find this feathered fellow perched on the edge of our picnic table on the patio just outside the back door. I think it is an immature Cooper’s Hawk. The bird remained for a long time until it made a swooping dash under a nearby bush as a group of starlings gathered and began diving at it. I was fearful that it was injured and hoped it would survive.
My husband was excited to observe this bird so closely as he loves birds of prey ~ his favorite being the Red-tailed Hawk.
From Wikipedia: Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) is a medium-sized hawk native to the North American continent and found from Canada to Mexico. As in many birds of prey, the male is smaller than the female. The Birds found east of the Mississippi River tend to be larger on average than the birds found to the west.
You can read more about the Cooper’s Hawk here.
~o0O0o~
I guess he wasn’t injured… two days after I began this post draft, the hawk returned to the edge of the picnic table, about two feet from the back French doors. I noticed because my dog was barking frantically at him on the other side of the glass. The hawk swiveled his head and looked directly at the dog totally unruffled.
(Maybe he is pointing out the patio post that is in need of repair… or the bench that is in need of pressure washing… or the debris that is in need of being removed… or the items on the picnic table that are in need of being spray painted…)
Along with the usual Robin’s, Blue Jays, Purple Finches, Doves, Mockingbirds and Starlings are my favorite birds. This petite female hummingbird returned the day after I set out the feeders.
Along with the usual Robin’s, Blue Jays, Purple Finches, Doves, Mockingbirds and Starlings are my favorite birds. This petite female hummingbird returned the day after I set out the feeders.
Other feeder visitors include the Gold Finch which is the New Jersey State bird (as well as many other states). I didn’t get a picture of them yet this year, so I am sharing one from last year. 