Adverstise With HOSP Images--No Thanks

As I've mentioned in my bio, I was totally unfamiliar with birds 6 years ago.  However, after almost 6 years, I can identify the locals by their voices.  In a few posts below, I mentioned my experience with a house wren (HOWR).  HOWR have one thing going for them, they are native birds.  That alone has saved the lives of many HOWRs.  On the other hand, there is one bird that is not a native and a real threat to our native birds.  It is called house sparrow or HOSP.  Say HOSP and you will immediatley anger many, if not all, serious bluebirders.  HOSP are a gift from the United Kingdom.  Maybe to get even with their former unruly colony.  In my opinion, no site better explains the HOSP than sialis.  Now, that you understand HOSP, I will make my point.

This past week, I received a circular that features images of HOSP.  I received the same one before.  Here, take a look at drsfostersmith.  I don't think I'll buy that.  In fact, I won't buy anything from them.  I just have this thing for our native birds.

Now, if you want to entice me to buy something from you, don't piss me off with your advertising!  

Smile & Frown

I went out on the deck this morning and heard a nasty sound.  It was under the deck!  It was the House Wren (HOWR) and he found the Carolina Wren's unused nest.

Sticks of House Wren

I have to deal with that later today.  I just came in from mowing the large part of the lawn with the tractor.  On the other hand, something to smile about.  The little hummer came back this morning during his rounds.

Hummer Ready For Sugar Water

This little fellow had been checking flowers from this Nepeta, Walker's Low.

Nepeta, Walker's Low

The Nepeta attracts butterflies too.  It is located near 3 butterfly bushes.  Well, its time to get back to work in the yard.

Little Man Of The Year

My first male ruby-throated hummingbird has arrived.  He's a chubby little fellow so his trip from the south must have been a rewarding one. 

I was out back to pick a rose and I heard chattering.  It took a moment for my aging brain to remember the sound, but when I did, I hurried inside and made some fresh sugar water--quick.  I also brought in and cleaned the feeder that was outside with old sugar water in it. 

I hung the fresh sugar water and went up to the deck to watch.  Then I noticed where the chattering had been coming from.  I have about 25 weigela, wine & roses, around the house and they are all in bloom.  The ruby-throats love them.  Last year, the male wooed the females in them.  The females would sit in them and watch the male making his "U" (large U-shaped patterns) above her.  Apparently, it worked for him because there were young at the feeder later in the Summer.

Anyway, here is this year's male.  It was a little dark when I heard him so the images are a bit dull.  After I looked at the images, I noticed that the blooming weigela was just behind the feeder.  By looking at the flowers, you can see why the hummingbirds find them a blessing in early Spring.  Along with the feeder and plenty of bugs.

First Male Ruby-Throat For 2010

Taking A Sip--I Heard Chattering From This Weigela

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Born To Sing

I was looking for an image of a mockingbird chick and found this little one instead.  Its a Carolina Wren singing its song--and proud of it.

Carolina Wren Singing Up A Storm

The image was taken in July 2008 while it was on the deck railing.  I stood at the window and clicked away.

In Between Notes

The Carolina Wrens nest just below the deck in an open box I bought a few years ago.  They use the same nest material each year.

When you look at these images, just think how much brighter they make our lives.

Carolina Wren

Two Moments Of Joy

I was walking the puppies when I noticed 2 immature bald eagles in "Eagle Tree."  Eagle Tree is a very tall tree where eagles usually land.  The two birds flew off and then one landed in another tree while the other bird went back to Eagle Tree.  Then, the bird on Eagle Tree flew over to the one in the other tree, called to it, and they both flew off together.  Its always wonderful to see bald eagles.  Its even better to hear their voices.

On something less momentous, I have a mockingbird nest in one of the holly bushes.  This is the second time in 3 years for this bush.  By the end of the month, there will be this peep, peep, peep.  That is the single peep sound that the babies make.  They will jump from the bush, land on the ground, and walk off boldly with their peep, peep, going.  Both parents will be  watching them as they move off.  By night, they will be in a bush.  After that, they will fly from one tree to another with their peep, peep, peep.  That goes on for some time and the parents are always there to feed them. 

In August, the entire area here is filled with these little peep, peep, peeps and I never can get enough of it.  I hope to get some images of the kids after they jump to the ground by the end of this month.

The Swallows Are Here

Last week, the swallows arrived in force.  I estimate there were about 50 of them in a 3 acre area.  Most were barn swallows but there were some tree swallows too.  They were feeding close to the ground.  Maybe because it was coll outside.  In once case, a swallow landed on the side of a house. 

Most of my time outside seems to be spent house-trainng the new puppies (See below).  However, I have this thing about trying to capture an image of a swallow in flight.  I figured with so many around, I could catch one flying towards me or away from me.  Well, I hoped.  I did get a silhouette of one flying on a cloudy day and you can even see its tail. 

Barn Swallow in Flight

The image below is one on a sunny day.  You can see the tail and some coloring under its belly.  Its a barn swallow.

Barn Swallow in a Moment of Horizontal Flight

When you are standing beneath them, you can here their chattering.  Its really quite wonderful.  This beautiful chirping all around.  You look up and there they are.  Point the camera.  Where did they go?  These birds haven't heard of straight lines.  They're incredible acrobats.  Just beautiful!

Barn Swallow    Tree Swallow

I Had To Stop Crying

After my dog Ambrose died (See below), I began suffering from uncontrolled periods of crying.  If I thought about him, I would automatically start crying at home or in public.

So, I began to look for puppies on the internet.  It started for me to see little Ambroses.  Then I found a breeder who was fairly close to me and decided to visit and look at the puppies.  I went to check out a male and there was this female.  After 30 minutes, I put down a deposit on both.  A week later, I brought them home to begin their new lives.

Meet Lily and Blue Jay.

Lily - The Female

Blue Jay - The Male

At the time of their images, they were between 3 to 4 months.

Lily is tall and thin; Blue Jay is short and chubby.  They love each other since they are brother and sister.  When I take Lily out to pee and dump, Blue Jay is waiting for her return.  Lily waits for Blue Jay too.  That is why I bought two--so they will always have each other.  (I'm not a pup myself and it will take an effort for me to outlive them.)  When Ambrose came home, he cried all the way home and for a day or two after that.  He was all alone.  Lily and Blue Jay didn't have that problem.  They didn't know where they were going or where they were but they knew they had each other.  Lily cried on the way home for about 5 minutes and that was it.  Since then, they watch each other like hawks.  They almost are always together.

The other role they play is giving me a break from a demented parent.  Yes, I care for a 91-year old Mother who I think intends to outlive me.  I'm in my sixth year with her here now and I hope to keep her out of a nursing home.  I've got to outlive the three of them or my house of cards falls.

Anyway, I am so busy with Lily and Blue Jay that I don't cry as much for Ambrose.  Of course, when I take Lily and Blue Jay to the Vet's, we don't use the room where Ambrose died.  Ambrose is still my dog and I will be with him in Dog Heaven some day.