Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

A first ever Broad-Tailed Hummingbird made his debut in our back yard on 11/22/2011. He stayed for a day then was gone with the wind.

Much to our delight, another Broad-Tailed Hummingbird arrived on 3/9/2012. Are these two hummers the same? I don't know but it is fascinating watching this little fella sporting around the sugar water feeder in our back yard. Erik Johnson's Louisiana Winter Hummer Report documents fourteen Broad-Tailed Hummingbirds in our state this winter so we feel truly blessed to see this little western guy with his big tail on two occasions. Hopefully he will hang around for a while and will remember us in the future.

Left-Click to Enlarge Pictures.

Checking out a flower in our garden.

Saturday Night Fever - You Should be Dancing Yeah!

Check out the pose below. Could this little guy be the reincarnation of John Travolta who starred in Saturday Night Fever (1977)?

A true story of our backyard discotheque. :)

Out of nowhere lady Broad-Tailed Hummers swarmed to our back yard and gathered round the rose bushes as the King of Disco hovered in preparation of performing his aerial version of John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever. The King's mastery of movement was sensational taking disco to a new level. He owned the air space and dazzled the ladies with his spiraling, twisting moves complete with raised wings. Not to be outdone by even Michael Jackson, the King threw in an occasional moon walk along with his XXX rated hip and pelvic gestures. A few faint lady hummers put their tiny wings to their forehead and toppled backward from their perches as the King of Disco's performance was entirely too hot for them to bear. All hummers joined in a little line dance in conclusion of the King's sensational performance. A great time was had by all. The King of Disco took a bow and slowly flew off into the sunset. There is already talk of him being nominated for an Academy Award after his spectacular performance.

Good to the last drop. Could it be Maxwell House? Check out this image for an up close and personal look.

It will be fun planting winter hummer plants in our yard this spring. Hopefully some winter hummers will find these plants and stay a while.

Migration Hopefuls This Spring

Neotropical songbirds are among the most beautiful birds in the world. What treasures will the 2012 migration bring this spring? This Easter Egg Hunt on steroids will soon be upon us with Golden Eggs everywhere. Birders are among the friendliest people I know and a delight to be around. They are eager to share with others pointing out birds thereby perpetuating their passion for birding. As the days grow warmer and the vegetation begins to green a sense of excitement is in the air anticipating their arrival.

The birds pictured below are not the only ones I wish to see this spring however it wouild be especially delightful to catch a glimpse of them.

Left-Click to Enlarge Pictures
This Black-Whiskered Vireo was sitting in a tree calling at Peveto Bird Sanctuary my first year birding. I had no idea of its ID at the time but was ecstatic after examining its picture at home discovering what it was. Hopefully one will surface this spring but if not its memory lives on through its picture..

We were awestruck and dumbfounded one morning as we first stepped foot in Peveto. This brilliant colored male Western Tanager with his flaming red head flew by. What a great start for the day! Wouldn't it be nice if another showed up this spring?
 

There is something about a Canada Warbler you just never grow tired off. I haven't seen many but look forward to seeing them again.

A recluse Mourning Warbler hopped up from the bushes yielding a picture one day at Peveto. I've never seen one that much in the open. Hopefully another will be around soon.

A Lesser Nighthawk resting on a limb is always a sight to behold. This one was in the tree right in back of Dave's Pond at Peveto.

The Northern Parula is not a review list bird but it is one you just never grow tired of seeing.

The Swainson's Hawk is not a neotropical songbird but is one of my favorite hawks and I love seeing them. My favorite hawk is the Harris's Hawk. I've seen one at a distance a few years back sitting atop a utility pole on Highway 90 close to Rayne, LA. Hopefully a Harris's Hawk will surface one day and will be close enough for a picture this fall.

Best of luck this Sprng! :)

Grackles With Attitudes

Grackles have a bluish, purplish, iridized sheen to them at times and some really have attitudes!
Lett-Click to Enlarge Pictues


"Don't look at me in that tone of voice!!!"

"Okay, now listen to what I have to say!!!"