August 3, 2011

Wednesday Wonders

Mississippi Kite

Moth (unidentified)



Sunset at the Arkansas River in Kansas


House Finch Chicks

They look a little gross here with their
craws stuffed full, but they've gotten
a little bigger. It amazes me how they
can survive the heat. We are having temps
over 100 degrees with no end in sight.

Happy Wednesday !!

July 27, 2011

Wednesday Wonders



Young Cardinal
I've been having a few young Cardinals
at the feeder. They look like a mess and
need to grow into their beaks :-)
But, I am so glad to have them!

New House Finch Babies
The House Finches have hatched! They are
so tiny and fuzzy. The pink you see are their
necks and the little round fuzzy at the
end is the back of their heads.



Rose of Sharon Blooms
We had a small rain a couple of days
ago which made the Rose of Sharon bush
burst into bloom. Kansas has been in the
100's temperature wise for quite awhile
which hasn't done the gardens, plants
and flowers any good. Tomorrow it's suppose
to be 107 degrees...I'm not sure about
the heat index. That's Summer in Kansas for you!

Happy Wednesday!!

July 13, 2011

Wings on Wednesday

Keep your eye on the sky while eating young
Cardinals. There are many Mississippi Kites around.

Two sweet friends :-)
This Sparrow and Finch have been with each
other the last couple of days. The House
Finch seems to be watching over the House Sparrow.

Is this a male or female? No crest...

I was so happy to find that a House Finch pair
have started another nest in the fern outside! That'll
be something new to observe through these long
hot Summer days ahead.

I'm not sure about the ID of this bird.
He is sure showing an attitude and a half!
I'm thinking it reminded me of a Grackle. It
could be a young one.

We have several Mississippi Kites cruising our area.
I see their shadows swooping over the backyard. All the young birds
will need to keep an eye out.


Lots of young Cardinals coming to get a drink
and eat some Sunflower seeds.

July 8, 2011

Summer Sightings

Hi, I know I haven't posted in quite awhile. The bird
action has been way down in my backyard and I've gotten
sidetracked with "this, that, or the other".
We (my husband & I) keep the food & water
out for the birds, but we have a young squirrel who thinks it's for him.

Look at this Robin above, he tells the story
of our extra early HOT Summer.
It has been so hot here that all the birds have
their beaks hanging open. It makes a person
wonder how they can survive.
Some manage to cool off while the sprinkler
is running on the garden. My husband got a shot
of a young Chickadee doing just that :-)
(pictured way below)

Pesky, the Squirrel

House Finch

Baltimore Oriole
The Oriole feeder looked like it had a whole
colony of ants floating in it...yuck! We are seeing the
occasional Oriole but not like we had in the Spring.

Tufted Titmouse
(where's his tuft?)
My husband captured this shot, too. We haven't seen
any Titmice for some time and "pop", there he is! Hubby
grabbed the camera and took a quick shot
before he flew away. Sometimes when you do that...
it chops off the top of their head :-)
I wanted to include this image in the post because
the bird life has been mighty scarce around here. I like
how the picture shows his pretty eye, beautiful plumage,
and clean conical beak.

American Robin
I didn't want to leave you in suspense regarding
the HOT and thirsty Robin. He finally worked his way toward the
water source and took a couple drinks.

Carolina Chickadee
Here is the Chickadee enjoying a shower :-))

Next, is a hodge~podge of photos from my
backyard. I'm happy about the flowers as I
started them from seed last year.








Notice the "itsy, bitsy spider" on the
Black~eyed Susan.

Happy Friday!! everyone!!

June 22, 2011

Wings on Wednesday


Eastern Kingbird

I know these aren't the best photos in the world but
an Eastern Kingbird is a lifer for me!
We were walking around the lake last evening and it kept
following us quite close. My "point and shoot" doesn't
work well without light but good enough for ID purposes.


Hackberry Emperor

That is my guess. Here is a link with
info on this butterfly.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Asterocampa-celtis

Happy Wednesday!!

May 18, 2011

Wings on Wednesday: May 18



House Finch Family



Ruby-throated Hummingbird Drama



Baltimore Oriole Family




In this photo the male is keeping watch while the younger
Oriole is drinking.




Sweet Little Visitor

He came right up to the window to check me out
whether I was friend or foe.