Hawks, Hummers, and Humidity

I guess July is the month for 'H's, as we captured some rare close-ups of our Red-shouldered hawk this week. The hummers continue to provide us with a lot of activity, and the more rare humidity is insuring that we have some blossoms for their attention. Enjoy this week's offering.

The Chickadee was flitting around the water saucer at the office deck, with enough sunlight to get an action shot.

A nice soft morning on the office deck before the work day gets started, and a young Chickadee visits the water.

 And the young Titmouse as well.

The Red-winged Blackbird is a regular, but difficult to catch standing still.

 Late afternoon in the yard, the Cardinal coming to the bird bath for a drink.

Joined by a Sparrow. Do you notice the sprinkler is going?

A fuzzy shot of a Hairy Woodpecker, one rarely seen at our place.

One of my favorite colors, the periwinkle blue of the plumbago. Isn't that a back disorder?

 This Swallowtail's wings are getting a little ragged.

 These daisies surprised us by coming back from last year.

The Swallowtail was visiting every variety.

 This female was exhibiting quite a pattern in her throat feathers.

 Female Black-chinned Hummingbird.

 Not really concerned that this Zinnia is not quite ready!

A little pollen on the beak there.

Caught this shot at the office deck feeders.

The female Painted Bunting has been showing herself a lot.

Here she is by the church in my yard.

  A young one all puffed up.

At this feeder pretty much every evening before sunset.

This fellow came to see me on one of those early mornings at the office deck.

 The Painted Buntings are nesting in the tall grass by the pond, and come to the feeders in the yard. This day, he came up close to the Lady Banks Rose.

 Here he is in the Lady Banks.

And at my little cheap feeder from Tuesday Morning. Glorious!

 We'll finish off with a series of hawk shots from my Saturday encounter. Started off on the other side of the pond, high in the dead pecan tree, surrounded by his best buds, the Blue Jays.

 Then the Chickadee joined in the fun. They were waiting for him to fly so they could peck at him from above.

 He eventually flew across the pond, landing in a tree to the right of my porch, and offered up some pretty good views. Thought I was done.

 Then he surprised me by flying up to the live oak closest to my porch on the near edge of the pond.

 The shadows were moving, so I had to wait for these views. He's letting everybody know where he is right here.

 The answer is yes, I was some kind of excited.

After flying down to the water, he came back up and offered me a few views from this side. It was a good Saturday on the porch, but then, they ALL are!