His Eye is on the Sparrow: Wide Variety

This week has brought a wide variety of visitors, and a wide variety of sights from the porch. My Father's Day present was being greeted by a Great Roadrunner in our driveway as we returned home from church. I had been hearing him, but this was my first sighting. Hopefully I can share pictures in a future post. Enjoy this week's offering.

It is very obvious Papa and Mama Cardinal had a very busy Spring, as our yard is overrun with young Cardinals. Here are a few at their new favorite hangout close to the Lady Banks Rose.

Papa Cardinal steering clear of the fray.

On my drive to work, a field just north of Leander on Bagdad Road is filled with these purple poppy-looking wildflowers. I was taken by their deep color, and wanted to make sure that Linda Jacobson got to see them.

New growth on the Lady Banks Rose is attracting the hummingbirds, just not sure why.

Caught a glimpse of that purple in the chin of the 'Black-chinned' hummingbird.

Standing diligent guard.

This doe was taking on over the fawn as if it was a new-born. The fawn followed mom into the brush.

More newcomers, young House Sparrows, gathering at the water dish.

I was really excited to see these girls. It has been a long time since Lesser Goldfinches of ANY sex have visited our yard.

Always good to find a spot for those special hand-made gifts, this one from our sister-in-law Ginger. It says 'welcome' to the hummingbirds among the fire bushes and Carolina jasmine.

Saw the wide wings head across the pond, and heard the Bluejays. The Red-shouldered Hawk is being chastised by a bold Bluejay.

It appears the hawk had enough, and exited stage left.

The Phoebes were also busy this spring, and the young Phoebes are occupied around the yard.

A young Titmouse near the feeder. He's not yet mature enough to earn the tag 'Black-crested.'

The Carolina Wren checking out the water by the rose bush.

The Wrens are busy feeding and carrying poop sacks from their newbies. We expect a launch out of the porch church house any day now.

I have never had multiple Painted Buntings in my yard like this year. Something to anticipate each evening.

This female Painted Bunting landed on the limb today, and just sat there kind of puffing up her chest. OK, made for a nice picture.

This pic was from last Wednesday when a nice little cool front blew in and made for a wonderful morning on the porch. Three of these guys were in the yard at the same time.

That same morning four Yellow-crested Night Herons flew into the pond, circled, and landed in the oak tree closest to the porch.

I'm going to ask about that balancing act someday.

Here's a series that will close out this week's offering. I spied the Heron grab something from the shallow water and start working it over. I assumed it was a frog or fish, but as you can see, it is a large crustacean. I want my Louisiana friends to note the size of crawdads in Texas!