In 2003 I was surprised to have a Robin sitting on eggs on 10-July.
It also happened to be the first nest in my Dawn Redwood started from an 18" stick. So now it was officially a 'tree' and this is the latest I've ever seen my Robins nest.
I'm filling in with a couple of butterfly shots from 03 and 04
This is 08-01-03
This message was edited Nov 30, 2004 7:20 AM
The last one about to fledge 8-06-03
This message was edited Nov 30, 2004 7:01 AM
common but always welcome
,,,
The weeping Redbud died but I left it in place. It belonged to this couple while they were building in an Austrian pine out of sight to the left. While she was sitting eggs, the male was constantly on this 'perch' and sang for me every morning. I still haven't pulled the redbud out and hope for a repeat performance next spring.
This message was edited Nov 30, 2004 7:21 AM
pink mist and company
nanhoe blue and company
...
Great butterflies, camera, and photographer. TNX
I really enjoyed seeing your pics. I'd never even heard of a weepign redbud before. How intriguing! It's so cute how the birds took possession of your tree. Such lovely butterflies you have there too :-) Thanks for sharing them all with us!
-Julie
Glad you ladies enjoyed. I found the weeping redbud at Wayside Gardens and it actually received it at that size. I think I'm ordering another one but put it in a different location in a raised bed with fast draining soil. It was so close to the Austrian pine that I didn't do a lot of digging and area was still predominantly the backfill from when the house was built. Then the last 2 weeks of May it was monsoon like.
blaine
Great pics Blaine, keep them comin'
We always have Robins in the Dogwood tree right outside our window. We have noticed they frequently have a second brood in late June-July. The first time we saw it we were shocked. Now we watch for them every year but it doesn't seem to be a consistant thing.
Loved the Robin in the Dawn Redwood tree photo!
Thanks
Usually by July theres just 8 - 10 fledglings around the yard still mooching off the parents.
I'll only have 2 or 3 actual nests in my yard but once they fledge in neighboring yards, many of them end up in my yard. Not sure if the parents herd them over here.
It was through the Robins that I learned that adults continue to feed the young after they fledge. I always thought once they left the nest they were on their own. Not even close!! I've had as many as 13 individual fledglings in my yard before. They practice flight training in the apple trees out back from branch to branch and poke around on their own until a parent flys in. Then it's the bow, flutter and chirp like crazy, begging for food.
Here's one - have you ever seen a Robin get mugged by a sparrow? Next spring keep an eye out and notice how many times you'll see a Robin hopping and hunting in an open grassy area and there will be 1 or 2 sparrows kind of loitering around behind of off to one side. If you continue to watch, eventually you're going to see the Robin grab a worm and start the slow pull back to get it out of the hole. As soon as it pops free, that sparrow will dart in, snatch and run! The first time I saw that I was speechless but thought it was a fluke. Nope! Now I know the setup, I've seen it a bunch of times. Bunch of little purse snatchers out there. :)
You must have a great time watching the show from your window!!
My open garage door is pretty much my window on the world. :) Outside all the time and typical suburbia, the neighbors grow grass like it was park although the kids are always in the streets.
Well, since someone is actually watching this thread, I'll post some more butterflies and stuff.
OOOOOOOOOOO WOW! That's a spectacular photo! What a bright way to start my morning :-) Thank you for posting it! :-)
-Julie
Very nice pictures Blaine. You must have a lot of patience to get such nice pictures of the butterflies. I spent quite a bit of time this summer trying to get pictures of swallowtails but wasn't very successful.
You're so lucky to have robin nests in your yard and be able to watch the young grow up. I'll be watching for more pictures.
Sandy
