May Birds and Blooms Vol. II

I was very tired when I posted this blog last night. And I accidentally posted it to my wife's blog, GG's Journal. So you can view the second half of May's pics at www.ggsjournal12.blogspot.com. Enjoy!

May Birds and Blooms Vol. I

We don't remember a cooler May than this one, and it was a bumper crop for the new veggie garden, the birds, and returning flowering plants from last year. It's feast or famine around this blog; too few pics and I don't post, too many pics and I'm overwhelmed! Enjoy THIS MONTH'S offering of birds and blooms.

 The crook-neck squash was first, but the zucchini has been prolific with the blossoms and fruit. And the bees have recently discovered them, so the buzzing greets you in the morning.

 I planted the grape holly, or leather leaf holly, based on water needs and hardiness, and they have performed well. This year producing lots of berries and new growth.

 The mama Phoebe enjoying the sprinkler. She was thirsty from hunting for bugs for her brood in the nest on the back porch.

Here she is later in the day, takin' care of business.

 The female Painted Bunting was the first to show up at the feeder in the yard.

Eastern Chickadee getting a drink.

 Slurp! That's good!

 Cardinal getting his drink framed by the geraniums.

 Chinese fringe flower did well in the front bed last year, so planted another. They are a little rangy because of the lack of sun, but have been very colorful.

 Female hummers dueling in the late day sun at the end of the porch. 'If I ignore you, will you just go away?'

 First year to be visited regularly by the Great Egret. What a looker!

 Black-chinned hummer at the office feeder.

 Young Phoebes at the office, ready to blow this joint!

And mom is ready for them to get out and fend for themselves!

Painted Bunting at the office deck, hasn't been showing up like I would like.

 Someone told me that the blue on the head means this is an immature male Bunting. And she said, 'Is there any other kind?'

Female Painted Bunting showing her green.

 Saturday morning chasing the Green Heron around the pond while he was froggin'.

 Quite the hunter, zeroing in on the prey.

 Woot! Gotcha!

 It's in here somewhere!

Volunteer morning glories came up all over my yard this year, and they have the largest leaves I have ever seen on a morning glory!

 The Scrub Jays took the winter off from pecking at the office conference room windows, but they are back with a vengeance!

 Heard that distinctive call of the Summer Tanager, and just caught a distant shot off the office deck.

 This Red-bellied Woodpecker has been spending a lot of time hanging around the office deck. This day, he even got right down on the deck and was scarfin' it up!

Even my drive home in the afternoon is a bird adventure. This is one of the Great Roadrunners that lives down at the other end of our street, and can be seen most any day.

 Female hummer has been nesting, as evidenced by the bit of cob web on her beak. As Nathan Motz says, it's the glue of the hummingbird nest.

 Caught just a little of the royal purple throat of the Black-chinned hummer.

 Lesser Goldfinches always active at the office thistle feeder.

And we'll close Volume I with this surprise in the middle of the day on the office deck. This is a ring-tailed cat, and a young one at that. I'm thinking Mom is sleeping and doesn't know junior stepped out to explore!

April Variety Show

April has been a busy, busy month. Not only busy for birds, but busy for the Griffins! Enjoy this installment of all the April captures.

 This woodpecker has been coming close to the office deck, even visiting the feeders at times.

I was having a time i.d.'ing him.

This is the Red-bellied Woodpecker. Isn't his red belly prominent?

He's a hit-and-run artist for nuts at the feeder.

Cardinal in the yard getting his sunflower seed.

 Cardinal at the office with a little morning back light.

Female Cardinal enjoying her sunflower seed.

  A rare moment at the yard; 3 female hummers at the new garden feeder at one time.

Love seeing the hummers enjoying the Salvia at the end of the porch.

 Black-chinned hummingbird at the office.

Caught this male Ruby-throated hummingbird at the garden feeder.

Female Black-chinned at the office deck feeder.

Perched on the top of the Carolina jessamine, the Ruby-throated was flashing his lights.

 The Lesser Goldfinches continue to offer much entertainment with their thistle feeder antics.

Carolina Wren enjoying the hot tub at the house.

 Ladder-backed woodpecker at the suet as long as it is there.

 My favorite songbird, the Bewick's Wren, graced me with a personal serenade at the garden while I was stalking the hummingbirds.

Our first sighting of the Indigo Bunting in the yard.

 Bully Bluejay all alone at the feeder.

The Great Egret cruising the pond for supper.

The tiny, wheezy, Blue-gray Gnat Catchers have been very active at the office oaks.

 Last year I saw my first Wilson's Warblers in the yard. So this year, when they showed up at the office deck, I knew what I was seeing.

First sighting of the year of the Painted Bunting in the yard.

And as soon as he showed up, he was staying. And, he had a buddy with him.

 What a difference a month makes! Jan's new raised bed veggie garden is coming along well.

A rare sighting, the White-eyed Vireo came up close enough to the office deck for a pic.

The White-crowned Sparrow at the office water dish.

 I heard the unmistakable call of the Summer Tanager. And where there is a female, can the male be far off?

 The female Painted Bunting, first sighting at the office deck.

 The male Painted Bunting had been seen at the office, but it was a week before he came back and stayed enough for a picture.

 At first glance I thought this was a female Painted Bunting. Then I saw her mate, and realized she was a female Lazuli Bunting, a rare traveler in our area.

Glad the camera was ready. The Lazuli Bunting is only passing through.

We'll close the month's photos with the Yellow-crowned Night Heron on the pond. We have also spied the Green Heron, so we'll bring some of those next time!