Back At It

Offering no excuses, just a long winter with lots of activities and less bird activity. 

Beautiful weather today, and time on the porch and down by the creek to wait for the birds to show up. Enjoy my offerings of this post.

 Some years back planted a couple of leather-leaf (grape) holly plants, and they have survived and even done well. In the early spring they produce this tiny yellow-green flower, and in late summer they produce a seed bunch that looks like grapes. The bees were really enjoying the blooms this morning off the porch.

 There's a bee hive somewhere around here!

 When the movement of large wings caught the corner of my eye up the creek, I had to investigate. Didn't get close, just close enough for this shot of the Red-shouldered Hawk that resides in our neighborhood. He didn't stay long, and I stalked him the rest of the day, but couldn't get close.

 Enjoying having some American Goldfinches in the yard, vying at the seed feeder with the Sparrows, and with each other!

 Incoming!

Someone is peeking around the feeder.

 Wish the American Goldfinches would stay for the summer, when they put on their 'glory' coat, all brilliant yellow except for a black cap and the wing bars you see here.

 Caught the White-crowned Sparrow in the lantana. Starting to see lots of buds around the yard, so the branches won't be bare much longer.

 The Scrub Jays have hung around the office all winter. This fellow was hopping around on one leg, though at times he would put down the other. Glad to offer him some peanuts.

Carolina Wrens love the suet cake, but seem to be happy to hop on the deck and go for just about any small treat.

And we finish with the diminutive Ruby-crowned Kinglet, who is daily coming to the suet cake right outside my office window. I will keep working diligently to provide you with a view of his crimson crown in its full glory.