Monochrome Monday

Tags

osprey, photography, postaday

It’s been a long time for Monochrome Monday, but here is an image that is made for it: a mother Osprey watching over her sleeping chick.

Osprey and chick.

Red-winged Blackbird 2021

Tags

photography, postaday

At the beginning of this week, Red-winged Blackbirds were everywhere at the refuge, the males gleefully singing their territorial songs. I selected the following shots for this year’s crop of photos of this most common bird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Red-winged Blackbird.

Wordless Wednesday

Tags

Eastern Bluebird, photography, postaday

Eastern Bluebird attacking!

Eastern Bluebird.

Eastern Bluebird

Tags

Eastern Bluebird, house finch, photography, postaday

The Eastern Bluebird couple is well established near the birdhouse they have adopted for this year. The one they used last year remains empty at the moment, until some other bird moves in. The male still comes to our bay window once in a while to peck at his mirror rival! Otherwise, it is a slow wait until the eggs are hatched and incubation begins.

Male and female Eastern Bluebirds in front of their birdhouse.

Of the two, the male seems to be very active defending their space.

Male Eastern Bluebird standing guard on roof of birdhouse.

Male Eastern Bluebird running toward intruders.

Male Eastern Bluebird: “Shoo!”

Male Eastern Bluebird: “Go away!”

The intruders are other birds that perch on the magnolia branch waiting their turn at the bird feeder. Some are quite handsome, like this House Finch below.

Male House Finch.

Butterfly Magnolia and Bluebirds

Tags

Eastern Bluebird, photography, postaday

The Eastern Bluebird couple have returned and are busy rebuilding their nest inside a birdhouse that I cleaned up a few weeks ago. It stands right next to a small magnolia tree with yellow flowers.

Butterfly Magnolias.

Female Eastern Bluebird with pine needles. She’s the one building the nest.

He stands guard while she’s inside the birdhouse.

Male Eastern Bluebird spreading his wings.

Male Eastern Bluebird.

I took these photos through our bay window only about four feet from the birdhouse. The male Bluebird kept coming to the window ledge and knocking on the glass with its beak throughout the day. I wonder if that was because he saw his reflection and thought he had a rival!

Spring Flowers 2021

Tags

bradford pear, Saucer Magnolia, star magnolia

Every spring the daffodils and flowering trees around us, magnolias, Bradford Pear, and several fruit trees, put on a spectacular display of flowers. That is until we are hit with a late frost, but so far that hasn’t happened, fingers crossed.

Bradford Pear flowers.

Daffodils.

Daffodil.

Saucer Magnolias.

Saucer Magnolia.

Saucer Magnolia in odd shape.

Star Magnolia.

Star Magnolia.

Tulips will come later in a few more weeks.