DAILY PICS VOL 308

I've been asked to start a new thread. Things seem somewhat quiet right now so maybe this would be a good time.
We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1086977/

I've been somewhat busy for the past several weeks doing projects around the house so I haven't posted much. But I have tried to peek in from time to time to see what everyone is doing and I continue to be impressed with the variety of birds and the quality of the pictures posted here on DG.

We have three pair of robins nesting in our yard and two pair of mockingbirds nesting in the trees behind our lot. All of them are harassing the bluebirds and it is beginning to get old. They (the robins and mockers) are lucky they are protected. Here's one of the male robins.

I still take lots of pictures of the bluebirds but I occasionally see other birds too.

All of the Juncos left about a week ago -- all except this guy, who apparently got left behind. But I haven't seen him since Sunday so maybe he took off too.

My female bluebird is sitting on six eggs that should hatch Saturday. Here she visits with her mate during a short break.

The resident Yellow Rumped Warbler is still hanging around.

As much as I hate to hear these rat birds called "cute," I must admit this young one has a cute way about her.

Here is my male bluebird wing-waving.

Wonderful shots Dave!!! Thanks for starting the new thread!

Sorry to hear the other birds are bothering your Bluebirds. Please keep us posted on the eggs hatching!

Wow the young House Sparrow is cute. The male Bluebird is gorgeous!

Thanks Pelle. Here he is again in a rather unusual pose.

This next one is a bit off topic but I couldn't resist. It is especially for Mrs Ed

Here is my last shot for now. And of course it's a bluebird.

Those are some incredible pictures, Dave. I caught a really funny pic of a very shy female BB checking out a nesting box. She eased herself forward so she could peek inside and see if the box was occupied.

Love all the bird pics as well as the butterfly--last thread & this thread are great.

Great start to the new thread Dave!! Nice capture on the butterfly!
gazergirl, nice capture of the peeking Bluebird!

Cloudy today but managed a small set of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher shots.

no.2

only 45f today...

kinda grumpy..lol

Gazer, Sweet Bluebird shot!

Burd, He is absolutely adorable!!!!! Wonderful shots!

You folks have certainly been busy recently! So many wonderful photos to be seen here.

Had my FOY warbler yesterday, a gorgeous male Audubon's, but alas, no images.

It's been too nasty to get out much, but today I had this beautiful male Acorn Woodpecker show up. In 11 years here, this is only the 3rd or 4th time I've seen one at my place. We have mostly conifer forest, and they prefer the oaks.

Great shot!

Excellent shot tiger!! They are such a great looking bird!

Gorgeous everyone. Love the unibrow on that gnatcatcher! LOL

Dave, thanks so much for that pix. A lilac AND a butterfly!

I've been gone and haven't posted much either. And of course when I returned home, the lawn and flowers need attention.

I was surprised to find 6 bluebird eggs when I returned. Eggs arent' centered in pic. My camera won't really fit into the box to get the best shot.

I didn't check the box yesterday. When I checked a few minutes ago, Mama was on the eggs and never flew out. I took a quick pic and gently closed the box and she never left the nest.

Wonderful pictures everyone. Thank you Dave for the new thread. Tigerlily what wonderful pic. of the Acorn WP! the gnatcatcher is so so cute. Just now I saw a small group of bird atop my willow in the backyard. With the morning light and the distance. At first I thought hmm, my usual spot where the Phoebes and other insect hunting birds perch. Occassionally I do find Cardinals come to visit this area. But these birds have crests atop their heads, could it be ....?

Wow, Red. How exciting it's to come home to find the BBs. GG, I'm so envious those of you that host BB. But I've resolved that I don't yet have the skills or courage to host those lovelies creatures. Just as I type a Hawks swoops down onto my backyard. Too fast, too fury a move, then a bigger flocks of Cedar Waxwings flew off from atop the bigger Sweetgum trees.

Here is a good look at the CW before it, along with its whole flock got scared off by the Hawk. I'm so thankful of this beautiful opportunity to have this view this very morning.

The bluebirds are a lot of fun and entertaining. I took a pic of the Great Horned owlet down on the creek. He has really grown since I last saw him. Hard to get a good pic due to the height of the nest and the fact that the owls usually duck down into the nest when I approach.

A moment before the last pic. Only a handful of the Cedar Waxwings are seen here, while there were many more on top of trees that were not within my visualfield.

Red, Beautiful shots of the eggs, Bluebird sitting on the nest and the Owl!!

Lily, Love the Waxwings!!

Oh my! Within an hour, the Waxwings are back! I'm one happy birder today!

Heehee, congrats Lily!

Great start Dave! Your bluebirds are always gorgeous, and I love to follow the growing family! That butterfly shot is awesome too!

Gazergirl... your peeking bluebird is so cute! I wonder, did she decide she liked the location???

Burd... your Blue-grey Gnatcatcher is quite a looker! He has a unibrow! LOL!

Tigerlily... cool Acorn Woodpecker! Wow!

Reddirtretiree... great shots of your bluebird nest!

Lily... love the waxwings!

Great photos everyone!!!

Thanks so much to you all for sharing such wonderful pictures of birds that I will never see in my yard. I love them.

I can't keep up with everyone here. So many wonderful birds and such wonderful photography!!

Dave, thank you for the new start. Gorgeous photos of all your birds. That "rat bird" is a sweet looking bird, but they're driving me crazy too. I just ordered the pvc birdhouses to see if they will deter these pesty birds so my swallows can have some peace. That unusual pose is beautiful!

Gazergirl, looks like you may be a "granny" soon too.

Burd, fabulous photo of your Gnatcatcher. Love that white around the eye and that grumpy look is "priceless".

Tigerlily, love your little Acorn wp. I love photographing these sweet birds because they seem to ignore humans and just go about their business.

Red, just think of all the mealyworms you'll need to have once those babies get bigger!! You're so fortunate to be able to watch that owlet grow.

Lily, love your waxwing. Glad they came back for you. Please tell them I miss them here. I say thank you too!

MountainGirl, loved your pictures on that last thread.

The wind and rain didn't bother the Bald Eagles here the other day. They were gathering small branches and really making lots of Crows very unhappy by flying near the Crow nests.

This wasn't a very good photo, but wouldn't you think the Crows would be flying off when this giant bird was near?

This adult was really working hard to turn the branch in his talons so that it was facing exactly the right direction.

This message was edited Apr 14, 2010 8:03 AM

Well, the Tree Swallows are happy that we've put the birdhouses back up. So far, there haven't been any House Sparrows to chase off-keeping my fingers crossed.

Duc, Your photos are So beautiful! Love the Eagles and Swallows!!!

I really enjoyed all the pictures & the birds like the woodpecker & gnatcatcher which we don't see.

Oh Duc, that is the picture of the day! The Eagle with its nesting material in his Talons! Thank you too for sharing such joy.

Sorry about the quality of the pic. It was taken thru a window but having my sweet T. Titmouse checking out the Cedar Waxwings, I couldn't resist posting it.