Daily Pics - Vol. #113

Wow, that is really right out in the open. why on earth do they DO that!!!.

Love the little finger pointing at her. cute.

Lovely of her on the nest too. Thanks for the photo.

Linth, I just have to know... How did you point at the bird and snap the shutter at the same time? I love that little hand!!! You captured a really beautiful bird. Thanks for such a wonderful shot.

Janet

I am thrilled everytime I see one of these birds and hope that I will some day see them do their little injured act, but have yet to see it in person.
Good shots. Thanks for posting.

Mrs_Ed, I often find them nesting among the parking lot stones. I assume it is a camouflage instinct because it is awful difficult to initially see them unless they move. And, of course, the eggs look like stones, also.

Janet, you need three hands, or in this case, software that allows you to add "stuff", like with the attached photo.

Today, I saw my First-of-the-Year (FOY), first year 'Orchard Oriole' singing high up in the power line towers. I find it simply amazing how they can change from this color to that of the adult male Orchard Oriole.

The killdeer are just amazing, and the babies adorable. It's so good to see all these birds!
I saw a swallow at Alnwick Garden yesterday perched up in the roof area of the building.

on a Perennial Cornflower

Chipping Sparrow

Actually, all birds, and most mammals (watch a dog or cat or cow licking it's back!) can, it's humans who are unusual in having inflexible necks. All birds can also of course reach their preen gland, just above the tail. Owls can do even more, close to 270° (three-quarter turn) if I remember rightly.

Resin

Our beautiful state bird, the Mockingbird.

I was in the backyard with my granddaughter yesterday afternoon. She was swimming in the pint size pool, having a grand time. I was taking videos of her playing in the pool. Suddenly she looked up at me and said, "Maw Maw, do you hear that song?" I looked up on the power line and saw this fella singing his song. I explained to her that the Mockingbird is our state bird and told her how he sings many songs. She said, "Take some pictures of him singing Maw Maw." So I did.

Janet

As she slowly walked closer to where he was perched on the wire, I watched turn his head and him look down at her.

Awesome Swallow pics and the Killdeer sitting on the nest is awesome!

Janet...cool shot of the singing Mocker...they are so entertaining!

Great pics everyone...this thread is going so fast!

I agree, Rose. It doesn't take long these days.

Nice story Janet.

Here are a pair of mockers, who nest nearby and visit our deck often, always trying to figure how to get to the meal worms inside the wire cage feeder.

Dave

I have been asked to start a new thread and I have it racked up and ready to go. Let me finish this one off with a white breasted nuthatch, as it spreads its wings.

Dave

linth - Funny that I just read in a "Nature Company" bird book last night that male orchard orioles change their colors to match females after nesting.

Hi dellrose, this is a delayed response to your post about the Eastern Bluebird. The Bluebird sprawled on the ground appears to be sunbathing. We observe it frequently, particularly in magpies and wattlebirds. The birds tend to choose the hottest part of ground at the hottest part of the day, spread their wings, fluff up the feathers on their bodies and go into an almost trance-like state, with head tilted slightly sideways, exposing their preen gland to the sun. If indeed this is what you observed your would probably have seen the bird get up after five minutes or so, with beak open and panting before returning to "normal". Or I could be talking through my hat.

Fantastic images and an insight into unfamiliar birds. Thanks everyone.

Link to the new thread already started,

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/856748/

New thead here:

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/856748/

JINX Wallaby!

lol