Thunderheads on the Plains

We were in Nebraska traveling back home. I said that cloud looks like it's right over our home...home being way southern Kansas. We called our kids, and sure enough, the weather service had just issued a tornado warning. I was just enjoying taking pictures of the beautiful cloud with the prairie in the background before that. Anyway, it rained and hailed, but thankfully no tornado formed. By the time we arrived home, late that night, there were stars in the sky.

House Finches Are Visiting

A beautiful male House Finch.

I am thinking this may be a female House Finch, but a fledgling.

Doesn't he look fierce : D

Now he looks goofy : D

A proud beautiful couple : )

A female House Finch.

A pair of House Finches made a nest in my Boston Fern last Summer. They ended up raising 2 chicks. We really enjoyed watching them and got quite attached.

Tufted Titmouse

I love these little guys. They are so cute, perky, and fast! I believe this one is a fledgling because he was so awkward and curious. He wasn't afraid to pose for the camera.

Sorry this picture was so fuzzy, but they move so fast...I was lucky to get this one. They land, grab a sunflower seed and take off to the trees or bushes to crack it open. Sometimes they'll stay and work on it at the feeder. One was doing that today, but not insight for the camera. I'll keep trying : )

This would have been a good picture were it not for the shadow : (
but, I thought it shows his coloring, especiallly the peachy color down his flanks.

Carolina Chickadees Enjoy Feeder

I believe this is an adult Chickadee with a fledgling.

Fledgling waiting to use the feeder. The feeder was being dominated by some House Sparrows at the time. He was just waiting patiently.

When he got into the feeder, he decided to take full advantage of it and relax, flex, and stretch. He was so tiny he fit right inside the trough.

After stretching, he ate a few seeds.

Here he's doing a little preening. He was quite at home : )

This scene was so cute. You know how birds get into the dust and ruffle their feathers to get sand into their feathers, well that's what he was doing in the feeder trough.

At the Beach on the Prairie

Franklin's Gull

I believe these are Franklin's Gull adolescents.

Franklin's Gulls in flight.

The beautiful prairie lake.

We took a cooler of sandwiches, fruit, cookies, and water to the lake to experience the great outdoors. It was a bit windy, but that didn't bother us because it was in the 90's. The wind off the lake made it feel like the 70's. The wind also made great waves for floating on the innertube : ) Since becoming a birder, I decided I'd better check out the birds around also. We had always called these birds I have pictured seagulls. But, on further investigation I believe they are Franklin's Gulls. Please feel free to correct me if you believe they are something else.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/franklins_gull/id

http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/472/overview/Franklins_Gull.aspx

As Gentle as a Dove

The birds in our backyard are busy nesting, so we don't see as many visits to the feeder. The House Sparrows are doing very well with raising their broods. We are seeing the second group of fledglings come to the deck and the parents feed them from the feeder. We have a pesky squirrel or two that want to come and gorge, but they won't leave until they've eaten every seed. Their presence keeps the birds away, too. We are letting them know that they are NOT welcome. This week we have obsevered Mourning Doves, Cardinals, Carolina Chickadees, House Sparrows, Tufted Tit-Mouse, and we are hearing the Great Horned Owl at night.

First Indigo Bunting Sighting

I have been recovering from surgery the last 10 days, so I haven't been birding. I was going toward the window with the camera ready...thinking that I was going to be taking pictures of some Chickadees. I get up to the window and there was this beautiful blue bird feeding at our feeder. I feel the Lord Jesus has given me a gift, because I have been hoping to see a blue colored bird when I started this birdwatching project!

Also, yesterday we spotted an Eastern Bluebird out in the backyard. Too far away for my camera to get a picture. I will try to find a picture to download so you can see what it looks like. Very beautiful bird, also, with pastel coloring...blue, orange, white tummy.

White Crowned Sparrow

We have some very pretty White Crowned Sparrows in our yard. I love their whistle song and like to sing along with them : )

Harris's Sparrow

There are several Harris's Sparrows that frequent the feeder. I think they are very pretty. When I listened to their song online, I was so surprised to hear that it is that pretty whistle tune I usually hear in the late afternoon/evening. I love it!

Robin Eggs Hatch

I have disappointing news...the eggs must have hatched yesterday or today, but they didn't survive. Two baby birds hatched. We had pretty bad weather here, so I'm thinking it was just too rainy and cold for them. Hopefully the Robins will try again. I've read that they can produce 3 broods a year. The other nest that I discovered in the Holly Berry Trees isn't even there anymore. I can only guess that the hard deluge of rain brought it down.

Baltimore Oriole: Astounding!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked up and saw this magnificent bird. I have never seen one in my life! Folks, I have a Baltimore Oriole! Can you tell that I'm excited : )

All Kinds of Sparrows

House Sparrow, Male

House Sparrow, Female

Harris's Sparrow

Female House Sparrow feeding her fledgling.

White Crowned Sparrow

Fledgling Male House Sparrow.

This last weekend was a weekend of lots of different Sparrows at the feeder. I decided that "if you can't beat them, join them". I did see the Cardinals feeding, not as much as the Sparrows. Then I noticed these little fledglings landing on the deck rail and the adult start to feed them. That was new! and super, cute! Will post more fledgling pictures later because they're so cute.

Identify This Sparrow??

Sparrow #1

Well, we had lots of different Sparrows on the feeder today. I tried to identify them so I could post the pictures with the identities. I couldn't find this one. Can anyone help me?