Friday, May 23, 2008

Dove Love is in the Air



I've been watching this lovey dovey pair cooing around the yard for the last week. They're inseparable. I wonder where their nest is.
Yesterday morning I was upstairs folding clothes and other mom chores and kept hearing a pretty robin's song out back. Something about the song was both familiar and different. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak? I scanned carefully but couldn't see a thing in the thick leaves. I gave up and went in to the bathroom to put towels away and there he was- singing happily right outside the bathroom window.

This picture was taken through the window screen and so is a bit fuzzy but I like the dream-like quality. I wonder what he's thinking.

Here he is awake! He stayed at the feeders all day and even took a few baths. I didn't see him at all today. Moved on I guess.

He seemed to enjoy the company. Do you think I have enough feeders on this pole?
Mrs. Oriole came for jelly by really like the meal worms I tossed in the ant moat.
I spied an American Redstart checking out the bird bath dripper. He watched here on this solar light while he thought it over. That was the longest time I've seen a Redstart not in motion. Check out his black legs and feet.

I've never seen House Wrens eat suet before today. This cheeky little tyrant chased away birds three times his own size.

My yard has more than its share of gray squirrels. They're such pigs but if they don't ruin my feeders, they can stay. They all disappear when this little red squirrel shows up. I've watched him eat fallen seed until he's full then hide around the corner of the shed. The gray squirrels think the coast is clear and come running back only to have the red devil spring out and attack.
Looks like he's found another hiding place!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and am finding myself creeped out by Johnny Depp. I really love Gene Wilder in Willie Wonka and this version is just
NOT RIGHT.
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17 comments:

nina at Nature Remains. said...

You inspire me, Lynne.
I should do so much more with my feeders than I do. Seed feeders and hummingbird feeders are the bulk of what i have out.
It would be wonderful to have a grosbeak or orioe visit that close!
(and nice pics!!)

Anonymous said...

A couple of weeks ago we had the Grosbeaks but they only stayed a few days and moved on. It was the first time we ever had them at our feeders. I love all the feeders you have. I'll have to start searching around for some original little feeders that have character and charm. Those little red squirrels are just so cute. I think the feral cat got most of ours. That leaves more feed for the birds but they sure were fun to watch.

Susan Gets Native said...

*jealous of your stellar photo-rocking-ness.*

Jayne said...

Ooooo... love all those feeders on your pole! And love all the visitors you had, lucky girl! Cute squirrel!

Johnny Depp was like a version of Michael Jackson on steroids I thought. Veerrrry creepy indeed. And, enough with the Oompa Loompa songs... please! I'd much rather watch the 1973 version with Gene Wilder, though he creeps out a bit in the end too.

NCmountainwoman said...

Great photos, especially the American Redstart.

Gotta chime in on "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." It is very true to the book by Roald Dahl, whose writing does take some dark turns. The Gene Wilder version is cute and entertaining, but the Johnny Depp one is the real deal. I love both of them and my preference on a given day would be determined by my mood.

Mel said...

Hi Lynne!
Such beautiful pictures. That pic you took through the window screen looks lovely!

p.s. I preffer the previous version too ;)

Marsha said...

That is one full feeder pole, no bird should ever leave your yard without finding something to their liking...a birdie buffet!

I love the photos of the rose breasted grosbeak and wow, the redstart standing still for you is quite the shot!

MarmiteToasty said...

Oh my what beautiful photos...... I love watching the birds that visit me birdtable in me little garden.....

lovely blob you have here, Im gonna get me cuppa tea and scroll back and read me somemore....

x

Q said...

Wonderful picture of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
They are charming birds.
The Orioles are so beautiful...
I have never seen a Redstart! I would love a pair to come to my feeders too.
Great pics.
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Grossbeaks are cool birds, I love how their beaks, much like Darwin's finches, adapted to their food.

Deb said...

Cool pictures, as always. I can't wait until I'm in my new house and I can set up all kinds of new feeders.

I'm not really a fan of the whole Charlie story to begin with, so I guess I'll avoid the new version as much as I have the older one. I also hate Wizard of Oz, so I guess I'm weird. ;)

Mary said...

Your photos keep getting better. I wonder if you have a new camera?

I see you are a Wild Birds Unlimited patron - hey, we have the same feeder set-up. My stations are crowded, too. But the birds don't mind!

Modesto Viegas said...

nice blog|
Congratulations,
Modesto

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos and those Mourning Doves are fun to watch do their pair bonding! Also love your Grosbeak shot . . Redstart . . heck I love all these! Bravo!

RuthieJ said...

Wow, Lynne, I'm so jealous.....a Redstart right in your yard?? Very nice.

I love your little red squirrel in a bucket too!

P.S. There's no law limiting the number of feeders you can have on a pole system--whatever is easiest for you to manage and maximizes your chances of seeing lots of birds!

Kathie Brown said...

You are seeing such marvelous birds! I love getting a peek at your world!

Larry said...

I actually like Johnny Depp but not in this movie.-The gene Wilder version was much better.-The Johnny Depp version seemed too strange in a bad way.That one Rose-breasted Grosbeak photo is a terrific capture.