Neighborhood Sightings

All in one outing, at several locations, within a few miles of home I was fortunate enough to be enlightened by all what you see here. I also had a first time encounter with an Eastern Kingbird, very cool. The orioles were elusive and skidish, I tried my best. The Boat-tail Grackle showed up for a quick pic. I was scolded by a Red-winged Blackbird, his mate held her place. As I was heading to one of my destinations I saw a lone whitetail deer, alone and wondering. The Eastern Bluebird was busy feeding her youngsters. A bee was close by as I was taking photos of the Canada Geese out in the cut field of grass picking up their nourishment for the day. The Song Sparrow was announcing himself to all in the area. The Morning Dove showed up long enough for a quick photo. A Ceder Waxwing surprised me by stopping long enough for me to get a couple photos. I couldn't pass up the lilies and was treated with a painted turtle poking it's head above the water. I must say I didn't see him until I worked up the photo. Shortly after that I was visited by a couple of Goldfinches. Not all days are as fruitful as this, but I sure do enjoy when it is. Please enjoy.

Eastern Kingbird

You have got to be kidding...

A little better...

They gave me what they could... NOT

Boat-tail Grackle

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird - fm

Whitetail deer

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird getting ready to feed her young

Eastern Bluebird feeding her young

I Bee Busy

Just Beecause

Grazing Geese

Song Sparrow

Mourning Dove

Ceder Waxwing

Ceder Waxwing

Lilies

Lily n Turtle (painted)

Goldfinch pair

Goldfinch

Life of a Different Wing... And Some Regulars

We often overlook some of the other winged creatures among us. The dragonfly is large predatory insect generally found around watery areas. The dragonfly has six legs but it is unable to walk on solid ground. In flight the adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions which are upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side. As you can see one of the dragonfly nymphs has recently come up from its watery habitat and is working at spreading out its wings. A Green Heron gives me a couple of photo opportunities. Then a Robin shows three sides, left side, right side and backside.      

Notice wings not yet fully extended.

A Day In The Life Of...

The Great Blue Heron, pretty much a staple at the Lilypons but I never get tired of getting up close and personal. The Brown-headed Cowbird, thirsty and unaware. He gave me a couple of photos. I couldn't pass up the Red-winged Blackbird lunching in the bush. The Green Heron, (two different locations) often illusive, gave me some photo opportunities. The Downy Woodpecker (female) kept still long enough for a couple of poses. I love this JOB.

Great Blue Heron

Brown-headed Cowbird

Brown-headed Cowbird

Red-winged Blackbird

Green Heron

Green Heron

Green Heron

Downy Woodpecker-fm

Downy Woodpecker-fm

A Couple of Warblers

I believe I got really lucky. I went looking for something different. I headed to an area where I had once seen a Baltimore Oriole hoping to maybe see one again. I ended up following my ears. I didn’t know what I was listening to but what ever it was it was close and unfamiliar to me. Finally I saw my first warbler, a Yellow Warbler. I was able to get a few photos but I was on the wrong side of the sun. As I was trying to better my angle my quarry disappeared. I was complaining about the lighting conditions when I noticed I was being serenaded to. There he was a Common Yellowthroat  and was very cooperative. I was able to get
several photos.

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat