Daily Pics. Vol. 338

Outstanding work on the last daily pics thread, everyone. Thanks to each one who contributed. In case you want to look back at it, here is the link: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1117504/

I've been busy this week (doctor's appointments and out of state company) so I didn't contribute much to the last thread. In addition, my five bluebird nestlings are going to fledge first thing in the morning and that's always an exciting time around here. Lots of peeking and false starts all day today but as the dust settled, all five are spending one more night crammed in that little PVC nest box. As soon as one jumps tomorrow, I'm sure the rest will follow.

The parents were still trying to coax them out right up until dark tonight. One of their tactics is to offer food to the nestlings, then pull it back, as you see Mama doing here.

This is a juvenile tufted titmouse. You can tell because his eyes are bright and his feathers are so nice. His parents have been coming for meal worms for several weeks and by comparison,they look weary and their feathers are ragged and dull. They will be moulting soon.

This is Papa today. He looks like he could use a vacation too, but he still has one more squad to take through survival training. In about three weeks he can begin to wind down.

A frequent visitor.

Another frequent visitor (unfortunately). I have seen him score twice in our yard this week. Let's hope he is somewhere else tomorrow when the bluebirds fledge.

Gray Catbird

Northern Mockingbird

And as my last one for this set; here is a rare shot of Mama and Papa together. They generally work in tandem, one protecting the meal worm feeder until the other gets back from feeding the nestlings.

Wonderful shots Dave! Looking forward to seeing the fledges. Good seeing the other visitors to your yard.


From the last thread: Lovely shots from Tiger, Margaret and Hack!

From the last thread . . .

I really enjoyed everyone's photos in that last thread!

Dave, thank you for this new start. You sure showed us some spectacular photos of your birds. I particularly loved that Tufted Titmouse-beautiful. I sure hope that hawk will be gone during the fledging. Beautiful photo of the bb parents together. Looking forward to more of your photos.

Hubbie and I took the kayak out on the lake yesterday and were surprised to find our Grebes were nesting along our route. It was interesting to see how the nests were built above the water to avoid the high waves from passing boats that could wash the eggs to the lake bottom.

This male (Western) Grebe would dive into the water and come up with vegetation which he constantly added to the nest.

This looks like a younger Western Grebe on a nest that sure won't hold an egg that would survive the high speed bass boat's wake. Locals know that there's danger to the nesting ducks, but obviously our visitors don't think about things like this even when there are posted signs.

One more of the Western Grebe.

Gorgeous shots duc!! It's so nice seeing the Grebes.

Wow! Great start Dave! Always enjoy seeing your BBs. What kind of hawk is that? I know you wish he would go elsewhere!

Duc... I love your Grebe shots! How wonderful to see! Great photos too!

I can't take as good of pictures as y'all, but I wanted to share the beautiful colors of the cardinals in my yard this afternoon. Here is the male.

Here are a couple of females.

Hi Va Wild Rose
I believe that is a Coopers Hawk. They are the most common around here. And thankfully, he didn't come around yesterday, when three of the bluebird babies fledged, or this morning, when the last two finally left. They are safely gathered, high in a tree behind our lot and the parents are making numerous trips back to the deck for meal worms. Of course, if along the way, an insect catches their eye, they go for that too. Here is a shot of Papa, on his way back to the hidaway, followed where ever he goes by a wannabee.

oh my word. Fabulous start Dave. Love them all but the Juvy Titmouse stole my heart.

Duc, great catches on the grebes. so nice to see them from this perspective. You're brave to take a camera in a kayak! I love water, but I have too many liquid moments to trust myself!

Julie. Nice Cardinals. I'm wondering if that last female is really a male juvy? I have some that look like that. Just can't tell yet what they are going to be.

Mourning Dove

American Goldfinch. She was eyeing the stream for a long time. I think she was thirsty but probably was not happy about me sitting there.

This message was edited Jul 31, 2010 12:40 PM

Julie, I really enjoyed seeing your beautiful cardinals.

Dave, I'm glad to hear you haven't seen the hawk around. Great shot of papa and the little one. Hopefully all the fledglings will be safe in that tree.

Mrs. Ed, beautiful photos of the dove and goldfinch.


I have more photos from our kayak ride to share with you. This is part of the Grebe's mating dance. Notice the foot kicking out of the water.

There was lots of jumping out of the water too-I'm guessing more of the mating thing.

I wasn't prepared to take this part where the grebes actually run across the water. It really is something to watch.

I had to laugh when I saw this one on the computer.

LOL!!! Too funny Duc!!


So happy here...our mouse had not been working well so I was not clicking on the thumbnails to enlarge them. Got a new mouse today and it so nice to really "see" the great photos you all have posted!!

Some Purple Martins down at the lake last weekend

a pair...

best I could get of this Turkey Vulture....

Quite a handsome Robin....

Love the Grebes, duc! Nice ones, Nanny. Lots of great pics in this thread.

I'll post a few pics of the juvi Mississippi Kite in my front yard that hasn't started flying yet, but is venturing out of the nest to a limb now!

This message was edited Jul 31, 2010 9:20 PM

Another

another shot

Last one

Wonderful pics everyone!

Here's a pic of the Robin I have been feeding mealworms since June 15th...

Thanks for starting the new thread Dave. Great shots and nice variety!
Duc, awesome job on the Western Grebe's! I would have loved to see them dance across the water!
Nice shots everyone on this and the last thread!

I got a chance to hit the marsh for the first time in a couple of week's. Have a few shots to share though.
The first 2 are of a little Chipping Sparrow feeding its fledgling....a Brown-headed Cowbird.

........

a shot of the Great Egret....

a Great Blue Heron...