Thursday, September 5, 2013

Early Mornings

The school year traffic patterns are here, a sure sign of autumn. In response, I have been getting up early and heading in to the office, providing some early morning quiet time on the deck. Enjoy this week's offering, along with some travelers, hummer games, and varmints.

 The young female Painted Bunting at the office feeder.

She is one of the early morning regulars at the office deck.

This one is a little older, and more green. She seems to be calm amidst the storm of the House Finches.

A rare visit from the Yellow Warbler at the office deck. The male has much more yellow.

 The sprinkler on the lantana attracted the Yellow Warbler at my yard. Nice of him to line up with the Cardinal on the birdbath.

 He was really working the shower.

This day there were male and female on the lantana.

And the Chickadee joined in the fun.

Another early morning regular at the office deck.

And we can't neglect these guys; White-wing Dove gathering for their breakfast smorgasbord that I provide every day.

 The Lesser Goldfinches continue to provide much entertainment at the sock feeder.




I know it's blurry, but it illustrates the coloring of the male's underside.

Another welcome surprise at the yard; the White-eyed Vireo showed up at the Lady Banks Rose for a quick photo-op.

Caught a quick shot of the wild turkey crossing the meadow as the white-tail was grazing.

 The Green Heron was getting a little nervous at this point.

But the turkeys were only interested in the tall grass, seeds or bugs.

The hummers are always some of the first at the deck in the morning.

If you look close, you'll see a little bit of tongue. The hummingbird tongue is a true miracle of complex creation! http://www.evolutionnews.org/2013/06/the_genius_of_b073491.html

 Sentinel's silhouette.

 The female Ruby-throated hummingbird showin' her bling.

Do I really have to share this with a house fly?

Now we're getting ready for the Hummer Games!

 The angle doesn't matter, just bring it on!

 Here we go round the mulberry bush ...

Just wait your turn!

 As the sun comes up, they are after it!


This unusual series of shots looks like a pair doing a spiral dance.

 But as I looked closer, I noticed a detail that I had missed.

 The hummingbird on top has the other hummer's beak in the grasp of his claws. He didn't let go until they got about six feet above the deck.

We'll close with this refreshing view of the Gulf Fritillary on the pink zinnia. All I can say is 'GLORY'!



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