birding

As per normal, my life contains way more than my blogging might suggest. Most of my posts remain in my head, but this event is worth sharing.

During the migration season, on my brother’s birthday, my mom and I met my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew for a day of birding near the Susquehanna River. It’s almost like cheating to go birding with my brother, Dave, and Collin. They know bird songs. So they say “Oh, that’s a yellow-billed-cuckoo singing, look over there.” And we see a yellow -billed -cuckoo.

This is also how we spotted the black and white warbler

And the orchard oriole

This is nephew Collin, my mom, and Dave on the hunt.

And this is Lisa.  Did I mention it rained much of the day?

I spotted this Canada goose family on my own. Love that row of fluffy babes.

Then we went to the nearby Conowingo Dam.

As we looked through binoculars, we realized that at the basin of the dam, there were hundreds of cormorants and bald eagles. I have never seen so many bald eagles at one time. There are at least seven bald eagles in this one zoomed in picture. Everywhere I looked, there was a similar count. It was awesome.

It was a good day.

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snow day

It snowed again last night. We haven’t had any huge snowstorms this year, but we have had plenty of snowy days.

This chickadee found the one feeder with seeds not covered in snow.

Riley and I went out to investigate the back yard and see who had paid an overnight visit. Riley can tell by her nose, but I need the snow to see who’s been around.

I think these are bunny tracks. * sigh *  I hope to NOT have a repeat of last year’s adventures.   backyard nature

I got sidetracked with plans for the spring.

And Riley had to wait for me to catch up.

Then it was time for breakfast.

new neighbors

Even though food is abundant this time of year, I still feed the birds. I like to see who’s new to the neighborhood.

Mr. Chill is one of five young squirrels who keep me entertained. He spends most of his time flat on his belly in an overstuffed daze.

This is a young red-bellied woodpecker. We’ve had  year-round residents for several years, and this is the second time that I’ve seen them with young.

And this little beauty is an indigo bunting. I’d only ever seen one in my life, and when my mom saw him in my very own backyard without me, I was a tad jealous.

Thankfully, he stuck around. I noticed that he ate the inexpensive seeds that I don’t usually buy – so I just keep feeding him that. He’s been here for weeks, but I am still excited to see him every time.

a most unusual morning

It started out as any July morning:I enjoyed a cup of coffee in the party garden at 6:00 am while Riley stood guard and patiently waited for her run. While we were running, I saw a hot air balloon. We stepped up the pace, got home, and I grabbed my camera and drove out to track it down. (Riley had a drink and a nap on the sofa.)The balloon had a friend.When I got home, I noticed a pair of Cedar Waxwings nesting in my yard. This is unheard of. I am thrilled to see them once a year, in a group, in winter. I have never seen Cedar Waxwings during nesting season.They are very active, so the pictures aren’t great – but I have high hopes for the future.