Ruby's Back in Town

One of my favorite annual postings, when the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is first seen in the yard. We have added some feeders, and done some re-arranging. The activity is up, but it also seems to have increased the tenacious guarding of the feeders. Ruby has been illusive, but you can be assured I will continue to seek quality shots of the jeweled throat. We are also pleased to offer our first picture of a Nashville Warbler, and a pretty good shot of another illusive bird, the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Enjoy.

This cool Spring morning the air was especially still, so the pond was as well. What caught my eye this morning other than the mirror-like quality of the pond, was the Red-shouldered Hawk that you can't quite see in the upper left hand.

Upon examining the shots, it appears his right claw is either hurt or deformed. All I can say is that it does not appear to have hurt his ability to provide for himself!

This morning I was hurrying out the door, paused once to look at the pond, and spied the Great Egret doing a little fishing. The light was poor for a shot, but he got his fish!

Well, we thought the ducks were all gone for the season, but this female Gadwall still shows up every once in a while.

 Back at the office thistle feeder, we are still enjoying some warfare between the Lesser Goldfinches and the Pine Siskins.

 Whoa! Got a little sideways there.

  A moment of calm.

This Sunday afternoon at the porch, I heard the distinctive call of the Lesser Goldfinch. Here came a couple, male and female. The female paused long enough at the Carolina Jessamine for a shot.

 The Black-chinned Hummingbird has been active on the porch, and at the office.

 I would like to know where he's picking up that golden pollen on his snout!

 Another photo-op at the Jessamine.

And he turns and gives me a little of that purple.

 It's poor quality, but still proof that Ruby really is back in town!

I don't think you've been introduced to the Mrs. Here is the female White-crowned Sparrow, joining the others in foraging on the ground below the feeder.

 The illusive Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was hunting in the live oak near the office deck. His wheezy call is unmistakable, so I was hoping he would come up really close.

He was obliging, so I got a few good looks at a nervous, quick-moving subject.

Same day, same trees, same behavior. The quiet Nashville Warbler paused just long enough for me to get a few shots.