At lunch today a pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) caught my attention as they checked out one of the bluebird houses I have here in the yard. Along with the house, they paid attention to what was being served up at the feeder (their favorite meal worms) and the bird bath (which is filled with clean water).
Hoping they will quickly make up their minds and move in.
The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) eats insects, and spiders, ticks, and millipedes. During the winter they may resort to small fruits and seeds. They’re solitary birds and will only hang around together for a tiny bit during breeding season. Introvert of the bird world.
These Phoebes breed in wooded areas where manmade buildings are found. They love to build nests in the eaves, on a porch light, at the elbow of rain guttering, or on overhanging decks. If such a structure is not nearby a bare rock outcrop may be resorted to.
I welcome the Phoebe when it shows up, often returning to the same nest site each year. Flicking its tail up and down, and calling its name. I know there is a little bird out there eating the insects that are flying or crawling around.
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Checking on how spring is progressing today I found just what I had been expecting to see for a few days now. Pushing their way up through the soil, a single bud wrapped in a single leaf.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) pushing its way up through the first days of spring. Early March up through early April.
A short blooming period that captures the attention of insects that are seeking pollen including various bees, Syphid flies and beetles.
Get out and discover them for yourself, before they disappear.
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Clinging to the ends of the branches all winter long. Waiting for spring to start growing. Becoming blossoms. Then blueberries. Making me happy. Bringing delight to the birds. No problem, there will be plenty. Enough for the birds. An abundance for me and my freezer. Plenty for the rest of year. Pies, muffins, coffee cake. Whatever inspires the baker in me.
Today’s picture, tomorrow’s blueberries.
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A pair of Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) have been coming to my feeder regularly for quite a while. This image is of the male.
The male and female Downy Woodpecker look similar with the exception of the red spot at the back of the male’s head. The female has no red, just black and white.
This photo is the female with no red at all, just black and white feathers.
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America. Which doesn’t keep them from standing up for themselves at the bird feeder. Here one is standing up against a little Carolina Wren. But they will also stand up against birds that are larger than they are like Cardinals and Blue Jays.
The smallest woodpecker taking on Cardinals and Blue Jays. Way to go.
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A tiny guy that I see and hear every day. It is quite the chatterbox and if I didn’t know better I would think that it was scolding me. But surely that isn’t the case. We’re neighbors after all.
It is at the feeder often and every evening it will choose either the bird house by the front door, or the basket by the back door in which to roost.
My chatterbox neighbor, a Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) is a most entertaining creature.
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A mini-hike today, filled with loads of nature. Several Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) fluttering around me enjoying the warmth of this late winter day. One of the earliest species of butterfly to be seen in late winter since they overwinter as adults. This one looking pretty ragged, like it has had a tough time through the winter.
And oh! The sounds of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) were all around me. Their soft beautiful warbling made me totally glad I was outside to hear them.
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Yesterday I took a look where the Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) usually come up and sure enough, there they were. Just as I expected. Little purplish-green leaves coming up through the soil.
Given 3 or 4 weeks and this is what the plants will look like. They bloom for about 3 weeks.
What a splendid way to celebrate spring.
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Well this morning was quite a surprise. I went out to fill the bird feeder and as I stepped off the back porch there was a sprinkling of tiny mushrooms looking up at me. When I say “tiny” I mean that the largest caps were less than an inch across. Perhaps 20 of them, minus 1 so I could get photos of the gills.
I haven’t seen any mushrooms for 5 or 6 months. And these are not ones I’ve ever seen before. Honey Pinkgill Mushroom (Entoloma cetratum).
What fun! And in my own backyard. No hiking involved.
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They have been out there in the little pond since at least February 11th clacking away day and night. They’re having a ball in their breeding season. Meeting up at the neighborhood little pond.
Eggs in the water, waiting for the season to move along. Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus).
Nature is great entertainment. All one has to do is pay attention.
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