ORCHARD ORIOLE

This colorful adult male Orchard Oriole was bouncing along in the high grass this AM fussing away.

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I hope you run across one if you haven't already seen one. Some of them appear to be dark, almost like a Blackbird, until you get a good look.

Due to his mid-air antics it is obvious the Orchard Oriole was fantasizing about being a Barred Owl and pouncing on an unsuspecting Sharp-shinned Hawk.  :)

BARRED OWL

Barred Owls are nocturnal birds of prey but apparently nobody told this guy. One lit in a Cypress Tree close by and peeked around a limb looking at me. It was pretty cool to see this guy in the daytime.

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He disappeared and later returned in a different Cypress Tree close by. There were four Barred Owls vocalizing in the area. I'm not certain if this was the same one.

Seeing these Owls reminded me of a poem I once read. It goes like this. A wise old Owl sat in an Oak. The more he saw the less he spoke. The less he spoke the more he heard. Why can't we be like that wise old bird? :)

A tender moment. :)

CERULEAN WARBLER

Have you ever had the good fortune of seeing a Cerulean Warbler? It was a treat to see one this year. This cute little fella was foraging in the shadows of Live Oak leaves then peeked out to see what was going on.

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Later it bounced on an open limb showing off its striking blue plumage. What a gorgeous bird !!

NORTHERN PARULA

The small Northern Parula is entirely too cute. They often hang upside down in the trees gathering insects and once in a while pause on an open limb.

WILSON'S PHALAROPE

Who would have ever thought the female Wilson's Phalaropes in their colorful breeding plumage are the ones who court the males and fight off rivals?

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Another

CLAPPER RAIL

Luck prevailed when a pair of secretive Clapper Rails sauntered by close to the high grass. These chicken-sized noisy marsh birds were walking, looking for food and kind enough to stay in the open for a few pictures.

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Pausing but still close to cover. He/she was probably looking for its chick hidden in the grass.

A wing s-t-r-e-t-c-h.

No lice or mites detected. :)

A SAD STORY

My Son-in-Law was elated when he spotted two cheery, sky-blue Bluebirds bringing nesting material to the nest box in his yard. A few days later he opened the nest box door to check on their progress. Much to his dismay he a lifeless Bluebird was lying on the nest along with a blue egg. I suspect while the Bluebird was in the nest box an aggressive House Sparrow entered. There was no escape for the Bluebird whose sights were set on raising a little Bluebird family. The House Sparrow ended the Bluebird's life and the lives of the little Bluebird family to be.

A few days later two Mockingbirds completed their nest in a dense shrub in my Son-in-Law's yard and laid some eggs. The next day the eggs were on the ground. I'm not certain as to the culprit but the Mockingbird family was cut short as well.

It was a sad day in Mudville for these birds.

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'FIDDLING' AROUND

This is not something you see often. The intensity in the eyes of the Grackle as it stares at the Fiddler Crab is prevalent as they square off. The Fiddler Crab got in a few good blows with his large claw however the Grackle prevailed in the end. These Grackles seem to be large enough to be Crows at times!

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Big claw, little claw

RED-EYED VIREO

This REVI ( Red-eyed Vireo ) decked out in its breeding plumage with its ruby-red iris was chasing insects through the underbrush.

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TANAGER, SHRIKE, HUMMER

The young male Summer Tanagers are striking acquiring their adult plumage.

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A recently fledged Loggerhead Shrike.

A close-up. I cloned out the three mites. :)

A Ruby-Throated Hummingbird ruffling up his feathers with gold specks.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER

Mr. / Mrs. Warbler were fooling around in the bushes (not literally) peeking out occasionally.

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Mr. Bay-Breasted Warbler

Mrs. Bay-Breasted Warbler

Hooded Warbler +2

Fortunately a few birds were about this afternoon.

A cute little Hooded Warbler was hopping around looking for food.

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An American Redstart finally paused on a limb before bouncing off.

An Acadian Flycatcher0 keeping a sharp eye out.