Within One Day!

Last night, I finally went out to clean out the nestbox after the first brood of bluebirds fledged (and I've yet to even post the few pics I have of the first brood.  I removed the old nest (and the two non-viable eggs that I found after the three birds were gone (I never seem to witness the fledging itself).  I scrubbed it down with water and bleach solution and left it open all night to dry--and, hopefully to alert the pair that it was ready again when they are.

    

This morning, I went out to close it.

                             

  

I came home between assignments (yes, I actually worked this Saturday) and walked the yard.  Even though I had just closed it a few hours before, I decided to check inside--maybe having seen a female bluebird on the overhead wire when I got out of the car influenced me.  Sure enough, before I'd even reached for the latch, I saw a thin stalk of grass sticking out.  Once opened I was still shocked to see the progress made on their second nest of the year!

I don't really know how much time they need between raising the fledglings and starting another brood, but I usually give them a week or so.  After this experience, I am thinking I should remove the old nest as soon as possible.  I want them to have as much time as they can to get a third brood in. ~smile~

It's Happening!

With a bowl of cereal in my hand instead of a camera, I walked over to look out the bay window into the back yard.  Within a few seconds I saw a chipmunk dart across the stone sidewalk and into the plantings opposite me.  Just then, a hummingbird appeared fleetingly feeding on the lupine that is a remnant of the previous owner's flowerbed.  It was gone before I could even think to go for the camera...but I love that I will likely have more and more moments of my own private nature show--and not just bursts of activity, but something to keep my interest any time I look outside.  I have to wonder what I miss going on around me all of the time because I either don't look or don't stay still enough and wait.

Showing His Face

Since spotting their nest (--I'm still so thrilled that I did!), I've yet to see the male or female oriole.  However, while standing on the bank opposite it, I've heard a harsh, warning "clicking" sound which I've assumed is the male warning me to stay away from his nest--or warning the female that I'm around.  This morning, I went out to close the bluebird's nest box that I'd cleaned out yesterday and let dry...even though the tree where the nest is was in shade at the time, I decided to check it out--and heard the now familiar warning call.  This time, I was able to spot the male oriole in the tree checking out what I was doing a little too near his nest (but clearly out of reach from my perspective).

Here is the first shot of (hopefully) many more to come:

Latest Attraction

I've been meaning to document the flowers of spring, the return of the bluebirds, and the little bit of work I've accomplished since well after the weather broke...but it took something new to get me to post.  While walking the yard, I spotted--pretty much, right there in front of me--a Baltimore oriole nest!

I've seen the birds here for a few years--I even got a shot of the male once or twice.  I strongly suspected that they were nesting here, but despite searching, I never spotted their nest.  Until last year, mid-winter, I spotted the remains of one in the bare branches of the huge black poplar.  So, to know the location of their nest now is thrilling to me.  I can stand on the edge of the field and be almost level with the nest which is in a tree in the mid-section of the ("three-tiered") property just a little downhill from the (planned) meadow.  Hopefully, I'll always have a clear shot of the nest...or at least get shots of the parents on the branch even if the nest becomes more obscured.

I'm looking forward to documenting the raising of another species of bird on the property! :)

Welcome Visitors

The other day I spotted an indigo bunting coming to the black oil sunflower seed that I'd scattered in the grass.  He was back again today.  Although, I've seen one here a couple times in the past, this is still a bird I had only seen in books while growing up.  I'm always happy to see him.

Today, I spotted what I think is a brown thrasher--I've yet to get a good look at him...and an in focus photo!  This, I believe I did see on occasion coming to the bird feeder I put up in the home I grew up in.  I'm thrilled to see one here as well.

Hopefully these welcome visitors may find suitable habitat here to nest and raise families.

Neither is a great photo, but they'll have to do for now, until I possibly get a more attractive shot to better document the biodiversity of our yard.

Signs of Spring

After getting home, despite the cooler weather the bright sunshine beckoned me outside.  Here are some of the sights from this afternoon.  There was even a little snow remaining in the shade.

Weird Weather

After our extended, frigid winter, spring finally seems to have arrived.  We were up in the 70s and even 80 this past weekend, but last night the temperatures dropped below freezing...and it began to snow.

This is what I woke up to this morning: