Archive - May 2009
|
| Early May |
 |
We wondered where
the female oriole might be. Last year one boldly
ate suet from our feeders, even those placed
very close to our best viewing window. On May 9,
2009, we saw a female drink nectar from the
blossoms on the same cherry tree the male had
used. She took her time and drank from many
flowers. The next day after fierce winds and
rain, the tree was stripped of all the pink
cherry blossoms. The orioles have not been seen
as much since.
...more
info and photos
|
|
|
|
|
May
9, 2009 - It was a really good thing that the one
day a year that the indigo bunting came to our
backyard fell on one of the days that I could be
here to watch the fun. He is the only native bird
that is dark blue all over. We had a one day viewing
last year. He stops by for a snack, and we have to
be grateful that we at least seem to be considered a
rest stop with food. |
|
|
...more info and photos |
|
|
May
8, 2009 - The ruby throated hummingbird is back.
Other local birders have reported seeing these birds
earlier this spring, as we jealously awaited our own
sighting. Our visitor tested the new red feeder,
but quickly moved around the yard to drink the
fresher sugar water from the orange oriole feeder.
Because this feeder was further afield and it was
approaching dusk, the pictures were rather blurry.
He came back for last call to the first feeder.
Before he left for the night, he hovered over the
cotton ball with soft nesting material, for future
reference, I hope. |
|
|
|
...more info and photos
|
|
|
|
May
6, 2009 - Another summer visitor stopped by today.
The brown thrasher, whose name ought to be cinnamon
thrasher, hopped into view in the ground feeder
area. He even showed an interest in the cracked
corn that was placed in Food Guy's red ground
feeder. Then after exploring the ground around it he
quickly hopped back in the leaves under the lilac
bushes. As usual, because he's a fast mover and he's
reluctant to come too close, he makes photography a
challenge. |
|
|
...more info and photos
|
|
|
May
3, 2009 - Today we saw the return of the catbird.
Last year we often saw them eating from the suet
feeders (and they loved the grandgirls' peanut
butter and jelly crusts). We planted a lot more
berry bushes with these particular birds in mind. We
added 7 more red twig dogwood, which seems to be one
of their favorites. But today the bird was eating a
leftover portion of a seed block. |
|
|
|
...more info and photos
|
|
|
|
May
2, 2009 - Food Guy and I were in the front yard with
the camera trying to follow a woodpecker's drumming,
when I saw a flash of orange in the tiny (four old
trees) apple orchard. A quick look through the
camera lens proved that it was indeed the Baltimore
oriole male. Last year we caught a brief blurry
photo on May 10th when we were putting in our
equally tiny pond. We have put out a hummingbird
feeder and a new oriole feeder (with an orange half
and some grape jelly), but we have had no apparent
takers so far- time to freshen the contents.
|
|
|
...more info and photos
|
|
|
May
1, 2009 - A white crowned sparrow has stopped by on
his way from the warmer south to northern Canada.
He has been wandering around under the feeders
enjoying the enthusiastic overflow. Last year's
visit was from May 6 to May 12. He's been here for
3 days so far and seems to be alone. We spotted him
with a song sparrow and with a white throated
sparrow. |
|
|
|
...more info and photos |
| |
|
|
