Daily Pics Vol. 211

Today wasn't Sunday, it was Firstday...................First Black-headed Grosbeak of the season.

First Brown-headed Cowbird.

and first Bullock's Oriole.

Wow. I had a lot of catching up to do. I'm just astounded at the great collection of birds we all are seeing these days. Great job everyone.

I've had a new one this weekend, a Swainson's Thrush. It was here on Saturday afternoon, and showed up again this morning to check out the newly installed (and not completely finished) pond.

Congratulations Marna!!

Very cool Marna...and how great that you are getting your pond. I am sure you will have the most attractive yard to birds in the neighborhood. Are you doing a step by step on installing the pond?

This really is a wonderful thread with all the great birds everyone is getting. This is the best time of the year and wish we would get some sun and no rain for awhile!! Here is a window shot of the first of the year Rose-breasted Grosbeak. He was back again this morning!!

That's a handsome boy.

Yah, I'm doing somewhat of a step-by-step… but since I'm doing the work, not too much time to photograph. We're not putting in the waterfall and stream this year due to lack of funds. So it wont' be biologically as care-free as I'd like, but I'll have the water for the birds.

I still have all the edging and plantings to do, which will be a pain.

Edited to say that not too long after it was filled, a pair of mallards came walking through the neighbor's yard. The dogs were out so barked madly at the ducks, who didn't seem to care. I wonder if I'll find ducks on the pond trying to eat my fish!.

This message was edited May 4, 2009 8:24 AM

Great looking beginnings of a pond Mrs. Ed. I put one in last spring and by fall I had a GB Heron stop by every morning for a couple of weeks and enjoy the gold fish that were living in there. Luckily they were the 10 for $1 feeder goldfish, not some expensive koy so I actually enjoyed the upclose looks at the heron.

thanks, jec! yah, i hear all about heron problems. We had a pond at another house years ago and fortunately only lost one feeder goldfish from a duck. And then I got a drain tile for hiding. We'll probably get a couple of inexpensive Koi and some goldfish again this time. We had an oriole stop by on Friday and Saturday. I'd like to think it was because of the sound of the water from the temporary water feature I had. Fingers crossed that it draws in some cool birds.

Cool birds in this thread...lots of variety. I sure wish I can get the Orioles to my house. I will put out some oranges and see what happens. I already have the Humming bird feeder up...so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

The pond idea is really cool....nice. I've been contemplating installing a pond and after seeing that I will put it back on the board of projects..with many other projects of course.

Well, GOOD MORNING TO ALL OF YOU!!!! Long time since stopping by...our little sanctuary in the front yard has turned into quite a retreat for numerous kinds of birds....we have lots of hung feeders and also sow on the ground which is covered in cedar mulch & the quail just love wallowing in it....grosbeeks, house sparrows, finch, quail, cowbirds, and redwing blackbirds + wonderful doves spend hours rummaging around inside the deer fence....this year the bushes are giving excellent cover and we have trees planted just outside the area so no more of them being exposed to the stinkin' hawks which consider this their buffet....Bob & I are vigilant when he's around and run out yelling to disturb him when he's on target!!! He misses everytime so far...anyway, here's a not too good pic of the quail this morning back by the carrot pulp we keep out...isn't Spring wonderful!!!!
Deb

Great photos!! Love the pond!! Now I really do want one!

Lots and lots of rain and cool weather here the last week, if it keeps up I'll get my pond anyway!

Pretty female Cardinal even with the rain!

I love your new pond Marna...can't wait to see all the new visitors!

Depsi...I remember last year when you were just starting your feeding station...it looks like you and DH have done a great job! Congratulations on all the birds you are attracting and welcome back to the forum.

Luvs...sweet rain pic of the Cardinal. It finally quit raining here and we are really saturated.

Had a pair of male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks just show up in the back yard.

Also have lots of Baltimore Orioles showing up!

Window shot of an Indigo Bunting.

Oh Rose great shot of the Grosbeaks!

You have a good variation of birds, dell. I've had a couple of very brief visits by an Oriole the past couple of days, but he didn't find the jelly. Not many birds today for some reason.

Still raining here. I haven't really gotten a good hummer pic all year because of the bad light. Sun was out awhile this a.m., but it was still raining lightly. This guy decided to seek a little refuge under the patio roof.

Mrs Ed, Love the pond!!

Hi Depsi!!!! So good to see you post! Nice pic too!

Luvs, Pretty female Cardinal!

Rose, You get such great birds! Wonderful pics!!

Red, Handsome Hummingbird!!

That hummer looks a little haggard and bleary-eyed to me. I think he's tired of the rain, too.

Back in the cheap, seedy part of Birdville where yard gives away to a brushy wilderness. The delicate and shy don't venture here. It's filled with beggar hares, crows, Brown Thrashers, possums, coons, coyotes and a Roadrunner that loves to dine on small birds.

reddirtretiree

That hummer reminds me of the joke "I just flew in from South America and boy are my arms tired." That poor little guy, hopefully he can hang around your feeders for a few days and get some good rest and recouperation.

We are going on our 8th straight bleary rainy gray day, so I thought i'd post some color. This guy lives at a local farm park near my house.

Here's another angle (or at least a different zoom factor ;) )

What a big show-off! :-)

Wow he is gorgeous jec!!

pretty peacock!!

Rose, nice twin grosbeaks!

Here's my bathing beauty.

then checked out a different spot. Then Fred fed her after she was nice and clean.

Dang ...

Jec...cool tanager...Congrats

Mrs. Ed cool on the Thrush...

Hey Depsi!!! Stay around now okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trying to it together here...I had a car accident today... I am okay....some lady pulled right in front of me...POW!

These are from saturday....ooops...Baltimore Oriole

This message was edited May 4, 2009 7:39 PM

Mrs. Red -bellied Woodpecker

Blue Jay peeking!!!

Wonderful pics guys!

Nanny, Take Care of yourself!

Marna, really nice pond, get ready for plenty of visitors, and bathing beauties. Keep those batteries charged up.
Gorgeous Peacock Jec6
Red cute bunnies, and hummer. I'm expecting the hummer any day now.
Rose, Adel, luv love your birds. Hi Deb, nice to have you here again.
Verne, I had a Chickadee and a Redpoll this winter having some discoloration like your Grackle. The other birds treated them as outcast. Are the Grackles doing the same thing to yours?
Lovely photos everyone.
A Mourning Dove preening.

Oh Nanny, sorry to hear about your accident, glad you didn't get hurt. Love your birds.

Female Purple Finch, and Pine Sisken.

Great shots!

Nanny hope you are OK! Take care

This cardinal pair looked so sweet together

I heard this Summer Tanager singing away in the top of this pine tree so I just had to take the picture.
Judging from some of the greenish bits I saw from another angle I am guessing this is an immature male

Sorry to hear of your accident nanny, look after yourself, if neck and shoulder pains start tomorrow seek medical advice as inflammation causes scarring on nerve tissue.

I'm enjoying everyone's pics!

I have Moor Hens about, a couple have been going through the garden to feed on apples. I took this through the window, notice the hen Pheasant behind!

Rain doesn't stop these guys from chowing down.........Brewers Blackbird.

Spotted Towhee

Dark-eyed Junco