Thrilled!

I have had bluebirds nesting here since our first spring here.  After spotting them a month or so after moving in at the end of October, I put up nest boxes, and have had them here ever since.

In all of that time, I have never seen or photographed the babies fledgling from the nest.  Only once did I capture a shot of the father bluebird feeding three very young fledglings atop a utility pole!  Although, on occasion a baby or two has died over the tears...and, last year, the whole young brood was killed, I always assume, if they make it to the age when they are ready to become fledglings, they survived.  The nest will be empty with no signs of foul play...but I almost never have solid proof--seeing them fledge...or seeing them in the yard.

Today, I spotted some activity outside the bay window at the shrub dogwood there.  Their berries have been ripening for a week or so.  I thought it likely was the catbird, that I have heard in the yard, but, when, I grabbed the camera and zoomed in, I realized it was a bluebird--a juvenile bluebird at that!  :)

It is nice to know that he or she is likely one raised right here on our property.  :)

Aiding the Unaided Eye

After the rain finally cleared today and the sun came out, I finally got out in the yard.  Although yesterday was supposed to get close to 80, today didn't even reach 60.  As I walked the paths trying to capture more of that autumn feeling, I could hear the tapping of a woodpecker...although I couldn't see him.  Using the camera, I took some shots of the trees in the distance, hoping to spot the woodpecker once I'd uploaded the photos and enlarged them.  That is when I noticed several birds perched in the treetops.  Snapping more pictures and walking closer, I saw that there were more than I'd realized.  At various times several flew off.  I snapped pictures of them in flight and then snapped more of the activity in the treetops.  

My hope was just to identify what I couldn't make out with the naked eye...but, after uploading the photos and seeing what they were, I began to hope that I had some good shots.

Unfortunately, the quality of the photos is not what I'd like, but I'm still thrilled to know that the cedar waxwings are visiting the yard again.

...and notice, in this photo, there is the downy (or hairy?) woodpecker.

Now for some better quality photos, of other berry producers that may end up attracting more of the waxwings among other fruit-loving birds.

...And one of the black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) that I planted as a bare root seedling...beginning to show off its fall color:

 
It is getting almost as tall as me...and I expect it to shoot up even faster in the coming years.  I'd love for it to bloom and produce berries this coming year, but I'm not sure how soon before it becomes sexually mature.  Here's hoping for next year or the following year...and here's hoping this is one of the femalesd--as I'd love to see the birds come that close to the house.

Birds & Berries

While at the patch, there was a lot of excitement from the birds.  I'm sure they were hoping I wouldn't strip the bush of all of the ripe ones.  The catbird is always hanging around the property and seems to have decided everything is his; I could hear his calls.  A robin took off across the yard from somewhere nearby.

While at the patch, there was a lot of excitement from the birds.  I'm sure they were hoping I would not strip the bush of all of the ripe berries.  The catbird is always hanging around the property and seems to have decided everything is his.  I could hear him calling..and enjoy his company.  A robin took off across the yard from somewhere nearby.  As I tried to compose some pictures of the berries, an oriole landed on a branch of one of the other bushes.  I was lucky enough to snap a photo through the branches.