Hummers, and other birds.

I have 2 hummingbird feeders in the garden.  One is hung on a shepherd's crook, the other I sat on a wooden box in the garden proper.

I found out the one on the box, is needing to be hung on something, too, we have a multi-lane freeway of sugar ants that get into it... Bleah.  So I moved it to a different spot temporarily. 

The next morning, when I was watering, I heard the familiar buzz of one of the hummers coming in for breakfast.  Zzzzzzzip, then a sudden stop in midair.  The poor thing looked back and forth, totally confused, his sippy cup was missing!  I stood still, and soon enough, he saw where I'd put it.  But, if a very small bird can look dumbfounded, I saw it!

Hummingbirds in this area are mostly this kind, a red-throated hummer, and I have been watching this lovely one that goes to the hanging feeder.  It always gives me a quick once over when I am there, then goes to the feeder and drinks.  I don't know why it gives me a quick eyeball, but I am glad it does.  It has the most dazzling DARK PINK feathers on it's throat.  I don't know that I have seen that shade on a hummingbird before.  So we get to look each other over really well!

When I walk out to the garden, I have been hearing a tapping and scratching.  Took me a bit to figure out what it is...  A bird, a Lazuli Bunting specifically, has found a mortal enemy...

His reflection in one of our milk house windows.  I have seen him swat, nip, fly at, attack and peck at the image he sees.  I worry the little guy is going to hurt himself.  I keep wondering if I could find some stick on cat images, or something, to dissuade the stinker from doing that.  I am not worried about the window that much, but as angry as the little Romeo is, I keep wondering if he will do himself some damage.  But, still, every morning, scratch, peck, scratch, scratch, scratch!

I am hoping to get a seed type bird feeder set up somewhere near the garden, we have goldfinches around, and I think they are so pretty.  The various varieties of bird we have around are neat to listen to, but they tend to be variations on grey, black and white.  Not this shining ball of yellow!  Maybe it's because I am usually not moving fast in the garden, but I have more than once seen a goldfinch sit somewhere about 3-5 feet from me, and just watch.  Occasionally chirping, I don't know if it's comment or criticism, but they have a long and varied 'chirp', so I find it a nice thing...

There are several other birds in the area, crows, ravens, chickadees, robins, the occasional vulture, egrets, geese, and probably more that I haven't thought of... But if you like bird watching, my garden seems to be as good a place as any! 

Early birds. No, really...

I went out to feed and water before I went to work at the sub.  This is just a bit before 6 am.  I open the door of the chicken house, and poof, out come the flock o' chickens, flapping, clucking, little taps of toenails on cement as they run to be first to the food. 

I put the feed out for them, and see the little... Chickadees? Sparrows? zipping to the trees nearby.  After the chickens finish, they swoop by and check for leftovers.  (I am surprised there ARE leftovers, the chickens try and get every last crumb...)

And then I hear "Sqwaunk, sqwaunk", nearly over head.  I look up to see a small group of Canada Geese, just going like thunder, honking and flapping to wherever the next water hole or patch of lawn grass is. 

Then, up from me, I hear crunching and skittering.  Our neighbors have turkeys as temporary visitors in their trees.  I watch as they launch off a branch, then glide to the ground.  Then they look about, see me, and frantically call to warn the others, "the crazy lady is out again!"  I watch as they all get down and do a sort of bowing walk, ostensibly so I can't see them.  It reminds me of Groucho Marx doing his cigar waving walk. 

I go back to the house, and see Martins checking out our bird houses.  We have several, and the Martins seem to be choosing juuuuuust the right one.  Flit in, flit out, run off someone else, flit by, check out the next house, repeat.  Pretty soon, we'll see one bird in, and another doing food runs, then the babies.  That's always an interesting time, the parents sometimes get a bit irked with us for being outside.  Oh, well.

I leave, the sun getting a peak over the pass, but not quite ready for full sunny-ness.  The crows are hopping by the oak tree, looking for bugs, and the occasional acorn.  They don't appreciate me when I go to the car, and caw loudly, from the safety of a branch high up... 

I take off, and see vultures up ahead.  Most people I know, don't think too much of vultures.  I don't exactly think they are lovely sorts myself, but I have always thought they have a strange dignity in the way they carry themselves.  Every move seems to be prefaced by a slow deliberation, as if they want to make absolutely sure they are going to plot every outcome before they act.  The ones I see are in a nearby field, I think checking out a small creature.  They look up as I go past, and one seems to hop up on the fence.  I don't think I would even call it flying... And he stares as I go by, almost seeming to look as if he's expecting me to show a reservation for coming by there.  I pass, and it flies over the car, to get a good look at me as I leave. 

I am seeing more birds as the season changes, I saw my first hummingbird a day or so ago.  I am planting a bird and bee garden soon, so hopefully, I will be able to tell you of more birdy escapades...

PICTURES!!! Trip with friends

 Husband and I went out a day or so ago, and I managed to get some pics, which I could actually upload!

I couldn't find my bird book, but I think this is the Common Loon.  There were a few of these about, and I think I saw about 5 bald eagles, and geese like crazy.  Big bird watching day!  I was lucky to get this shot, my camera doesn't do well with 'action' shots... 

Where we stopped for lunch, we had a bouquet near our table.  

Wild iris are blooming around here quite a bit. 

A goose couple that were not wild about our pacing them with the boat.

So they left.  I wish the water hadn't been lit so, I think you would have seen them better.

Our friends brought their pet, she wasn't sure about us until after lunch, 

she was given parts of our sandwiches, we were very much in her good graces after!

(And Happy Mother's Day, Mom!)

Tree house, of sorts.

I put a bird house out this spring.  

No birds.  

Huh.

Went out and found a twig perfectly blocking the door.  So, I removed said twig, and put it a little more securely on the tree.  We shall see if there is any visitors.  I know most of the others have been checked out!

One family, cosy do-it-yourselfer.

In a good neighborhood,
with a lovely view.