Category: Birds/Birding

By Posted on Posted in Animal Kingdom, Biology, Birds/Birding, Chipmunks, Conservation, Gardening, Nature, Science, The great outdoors Tagged with , , ,

According to the National Wildlife Federation, anyone Can Be Part of the Native Plant Movement

Over 50 years ago, they launched programs that have inspired what has become one of the largest national (and increasingly international) native plant movements. Since 1973, their goal has been to inspire people to plant natives and influence the way they maintain their yards, gardens, and community green spaces to benefit wildlife and people.

Today, an estimated seven million people have participated. By planting natives, they’ve supported local biodiversity that echoes what Indigenous people, conservationists, and many local community leaders have known for generations—that we must honor the interdependent relationship between plants, wildlife, and people…

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By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Nature, Photography, The great outdoors

The avian gods shone their light upon me, allowing me the delight of witnessing four new house finch fledglings. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I was sitting at my dining room table, when I looked out on the deck and saw this adorable bird. Hmm, what is that? At first, I thought it was a wren, due to the way the tail was flipping up. Then I thought it was a young grosbeak, but after watching it for a while, then seeing its siblings with a parent, there was no mistaking them. Adorable house finches…

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By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding Tagged with ,

Hi: I apologize for my absence, but went on vacation to that wonderful US city, Savannah GA. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, do so. It’s a place filled with fantastic architecture, museums, SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design), countless squares (city parks), tons of unique shops, great food, friendly people, a unique waterfront, and so much more.

But home again, home again, jiggety, jig…

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By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Gardening, The great outdoors Tagged with , , , ,
yellowjacket-wasp

Another gorgeous day in northern Michigan. Birds singing, happily nibbling away at numerous feeders that fill the yard. I turn to see a lovely couple, a male and female grosbeak having lunch together. Every now and then they look into each other’s eyes. I wonder what their love story is. A few feet away, gregarious birds gather around the flat feeder. Hey, I was here first. No, you weren’t. Well watch this. There I showed you. Uh, that was until two more landed, taking care of the younger squawkers. Meanwhile a lone hummingbird hovers nearby over the deck. Scanning the area for aberrant invaders, he goes into a dive, Table for one, please. Extracting sugar-water from deep inside, he sits for at least 60 seconds. He feels safe. Secure. But he never stops perusing the area for signs of trespassers. Another day in the life of backyard birding…

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By Posted on Posted in Birds/Birding, Mare's photos, Photography, The great outdoors Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Now, with a total of nine feeders (not counting the three hummingbird feeders put out this week), it’s a regular bird fest for breakfast lunch and dinner. Our backyard has become a haven for over 40 species of our flying …

May 6th backyard birds Read more »