Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

--> Correction: I had misidentified the above as golden Alexander...it is actually the invasive, skin-irritating wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). For more information about the grotesque blisters it can cause, read here: http://www.wildlifegardeners.org/forum/habitat/8703-wild-parsnip-plague-landscape.html

Chipmunk

Fingers Crossed

I left the bluebird box alone for a long while not wanting to even take a peek inside for fear the bluebird pair would not build a nest. Finally, I took a peek. Nothing. However the very next day, I looked again and found this:



~smile~

Here's hoping they have more success this time. I'm glad they are back.

Tree Swallow Nest with Eggs

Camera in Hand and Nothing to Show for It!

I just came in from strolling in the yard. I even took the camera with me just in case. As I rounded the bend in the path, something very large and only a few feet away from me startled me. It didn't take my dazed brain too long to realize that it was a wild turkey taking flight right in front of me...however, it did take my brain a bit too long to realize that I had a camera just hanging there at the end of my arm. By the time I brought it up to my eye, the bird was flying across the street...I took one blurred shot before it was out of sight. Great experience though...and nice to know that something must've attracted him to our yard.

Swallow Nest, Wasp Nest

Now that I realize that the tree swallows were still building their nest and not raising their young already, I decided to take a look in the box. They didn't dive bomb me as they have in past years--never actually making contact as I'd read prior to experiencing the scare tactic. Perhaps because there are only eggs at the moment and no hatchlings.

I spotted a wasp nest (I believe it is a species from Europe similar to our yellow jackets--but, luckily, minus the temper). Perhaps they could have lived in harmony with the tree swallow family, but I wasn't taking any chances, so, after taking a picture, I grabbed a stick and knocked the nest onto the ground.

Shortly after I walked away, one of the parents (I can't tell them apart) went over to check that everything was okay. :)

Perhaps this pair of tree swallows will learn to trust me, but I'm guessing after the young have hatched, they won't take as kindly to my monitoring the box.

Iridescent Swallow