Great News!! We have newborn baby Robins!

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed a nest in one of our trees. I hadn't noticed much activity in the nest so, I left it alone. Today, I checked the nest and there were two baby birds poking their heads up! They are brand new babies because their eyes aren't even open yet!

I wasn't sure what kind of birds they were at first and then the Momma showed up to feed them!  I'm happy to announce that we have baby Robins! I'm not sure how many there are in the nest. I only saw two little heads today.  But, I'll be watching them and posting updates so, please check back soon!

Unexpected Roof-top Visitor!

About a week ago, I came across this post from one of my friends in Texas! A bald eagle landed on their roof top! What are the chances of that happening?! 

They live west of Houston and their neighbors had alerted them of their special visitor. It stayed long enough for them to snap a few pictures before it was on its way. What a wonderful surprise on a Sunday afternoon!

They always say...
"When a Cardinal visits your yard, it's a visitor from Heaven." 
So what does it mean when an Eagle visits your yard?! I think it's a blessing! They are very blessed!
Thank you for letting me share, Roy & Cindy!

Have you ever seen a bald eagle in the wild? If so, I'd love to hear about it! Leave me a comment with the details. Thanks!

Hummingbird Haven

Today was cloudy and rainy but my feeders were busy! Which I love! My favorites today were the hummingbirds! Since I've added a few more feeders to the yard and I've started making my own nectar it seems like we are attracting a more hummingbirds. Last year, one little guy was so territorial that I'd never see more than one hummingbird at the same feeder. But, today I got a picture of a male and female ruby throated hummingbirds at the same feeder! It was awesome!

Two at one feeder was a first! I hope it's a sign and maybe more hummingbirds will come to my hummingbird haven!

I saw an article on Facebook today that mentioned again how the red nectar is not good for them. So, if you'd like to make your own nectar. It's very simple and inexpensive:
Mix 1 Cup Sugar to 4 Cups Hot Water. Let the sugar dissolve & the water cool.

Be sure to keep your feeders clean! Hummingbird nectar needs to be changed every three days or at least before it gets cloudy. Hummingbirds can get a fungus that affects their tongues and makes it hard for them to eat. It can cause them to breath very heavy and eventually they could die. So, please keep your feeders clean for our little friends.

I'm so pleased with the placement of my feeders and my new nectar. I sat outside all afternoon just snapping pictures. I love watching them. I just wish I knew where their nest is and if we'll have some new hummingbirds soon. We'll just have to wait and watch.  I have a good feeling about this summer. 

Memorial Day Weekend

First, I'd like to salute the men and women who served to protect our country. Thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the families who live with their loss. 

We must remember how much freedom cost, and we must be thankful.

My son, Alex, took this pic of a
Bald Eagle  at the Memphis Zoo.

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This Memorial Day weekend, I've spent some time working on new bird feeders. I'm excited to be restocking my Etsy shop! I'm hoping to have new feeders posted by the end of the week. So, check my Etsy shop by clicking the link in the sidebar. I think they look pretty in the yard and they make for sweet gifts. 
  

New bird feeders coming soon!

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Even though we haven't made any hummingbird feeders...I love hummingbirds!  Today, I mixed my own nectar and filled my hummingbird feeders. (I actually added two hummingbird feeders to the yard....shhh, my husband hasn't noticed yet.)  I've read that the nectar with the red food coloring isn't very good for them. So, I'm trying a recipe that I got from a friend (Valerie S.). I mixed an equal amount of sugar and hot water and filled my feeders. Valerie makes her own nectar and her yard is filled with hummers! I've only seen a couple of hummingbirds so far this year but, I'm hoping my new mix will bring a lot more! 

New nectar mixture in feeder.

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After I finished refilling the hummingbird feeders, I was about to take a break when my husband said the yard is full of birds. He took some pics of this handsome woodpecker and a few Cardinals. It was a very busy day in the yard! It was a great day!

Downy Woodpecker

Female Cardinal (left), Male Cardinal (top), Downy Woodpecker (right)

A drop of yellow sunshine

This afternoon, we had a few drops of yellow sunshine in our yard....a couple of American Gold Finches! They are so bright and beautiful! They are easily identified by their bright yellow feathers and black cap. We watched them for a few minutes and then I ran to get the camera. I was surprised they stayed so long and I got quite a few good pics.

I don't currently have a finch feeder in the yard so, I'll have to get one. I've read where the finch feeder needs to be placed about 14 feet from the other feeders. So, I have the perfect tree in mind! However, my husband told me that I'd need to take down another feeder that is already in that tree.  He said that our yard is beginning to border "crazy bird lady" territory! 

I don't think we're even close to that....so, I'm going to get a new finch feeder tomorrow! Check back soon for more fabulous finch fotos! 

  

Front Porch Birding on a Sunday afternoon

Today was such a great day! Absolutely beautiful weather and it was a great day for being (a little) lazy and bird watching! I snapped several pictures of cardinals and woodpeckers. 

It seemed like the birds flocked to our yard all afternoon so it was quite enjoyable....except for one occasional visitor...my husband! He spent the day sneaking up behind me and scaring the crap outta me! In this pic, I felt him lurking so I flipped my phone camera around and got this pic! He always knows how to make me laugh!  

I got really excited when I saw him setup the tripod and started snapping some pictures. He always takes better pictures than me so, I poured a drink, grabbed my iPad, and moved over a chair for him to sit down. He looked at me and said...

"Don't get too excited. I'm not staying out here with you....there's a hockey game on!" 

(And he was gone!)

Oh well, he took a few great pics and set me up for a day on the porch! He's a pretty good guy!

Here are a few of the pics we snapped today.

What's on the menu? Bird seed!

I'd like to talk a little bit about bird seed. If you want to attract song birds to your yard, it's important to get the right bird seed. 

There is all kind of seed on the market and I've tried a few different kinds. However, the one that I find the birds love is The National Audubon Society's Signature Harvest Deluxe Wild bird seed. It's really awesome and the birds - Tear. It. Up! 

It's a blend of sunflower and safflower seeds. It's great for Cardinals, Nuthatches, Juncos, Chickadees, and Titmice. I usually buy my seed at Lowes. The last bag that I got was "Garden Treasures" because they were out of the National Audubon bag. The Garden Treasures was okay and the birds did like it. But, I just bought a new bag of the National Audubon and the birds are flocking to my yard! 

I'm not kidding! My husband made fun of me when I told him this....he said..."I'm sure the birds know the difference. (And he laughed)" But after watching them, he said "I think they do like this seed better." He's so cute when he agrees with me! 

Therefore, I highly recommend the National Audubon Society's Signature Harvest Deluxe Wild bird seed! Please feel free to leave me comments and let me know what bird seed you are using and how you like it!

"Woody" is back!

A few more pics that I took of "Woody"!

Spring Update!

Spring is finally here & I'm so glad! I love spring time and how everything is blooming and coming to life after the winter months. I love the way the sun is still up when I get home from work in the evenings. It allows for a little more time to bird watch.  

This morning, there was a Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder. However, by the time that I grabbed my camera and got back to the window, he was gone. It was nice to see him back this spring. I've been wondering where he's been and if he'd be back this year. 

I hope you have your bird feeders out in your yard & if you don't have one - well get one in my Etsy Shop! (link in the sidebar) 

I'm looking forward to snapping some bird pics and sharing them with you on my blog! So check back soon & enjoy the spring time temps! 

Friday was a Snow Day In Memphis

This past Friday morning, the snow started falling around 4am and it was coming down pretty heavy! It actually covered the ground and roadways causing me to rethink the
drive in to work. The roads get really slick here and a lot of roads were closed. Therefore, I kept the news on and followed the major snow event most all day!

I have to say that it was hard to stay out of the window! Besides the beautiful sight of snow falling....the birds  were quite a sight to see! I think I counted eight Cardinals in my yard at one time! There were Cardinals, a Junco, a couple Titmice, a few Chickadees and a Sparrow.  However, the show stoppers were the Cardinals! The male Cardinals especially! Their red feathers looks so incredibly bright against the snow on the ground. I must have snapped at least a hundred pics! 

I couldn't stop! I remember saying out loud...."I have to get away from this window!"  They were just so beautiful! The temperatures are supposed to be in the 20s tonight so, the snow may stick around a few more days. I love watching the winter birds! Here are a few pics from the snow day! Enjoy!

It's a cold winter morning!

What a wonderful cold morning in Tennessee! We woke up to temperatures in the 20s after spending Saturday in the 70s! At 6:30am, I peeked out the window (because we heard some chirping) and there was a male and female cardinal at the feeders. A little later, a few Black Capped Chickadees and a Titmouse were hopping around the feeders! This is the first morning that I've seen the chickadees and the titmouse since last spring/early summer! I'm so happy to see them - I love the lil chickadees! They are so sweet and they had their feathers all fluffed out this morning to keep warm!

As I was sipping my coffee and planning the day...my phone buzzed with a text message from my niece, Madison!  I get excited any time that she texts me...but, this morning she was sending me some beautiful pictures that she had taken of a Red-bellied Woodpecker! Madi lives in Missouri and I just checked the temperature there and it's 1 degree! Mercy, that's cold! Madi is a wonderful photographer and takes the best pictures! I look forward to posting more pics from her! Thanks, Madi!

Cool stuff going on in the Bird World!

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It's Time to Vote! (and not just for President) 

First of all, can you believe it's November already?! I just received the latest issue of my favorite magazine in the mail, "Birds & Blooms". I love the cover because I love winter birds! This issue is packed with lots of good stuff but, most importantly the announcement for the finalists of the "2016 Backyard Photo Contest".  I entered but I wasn't one of the finalist and that's okay, because I'll be birdwatching and working on my photo skills for next year! I realize that everyone's anxious to vote for our new President but, it's also time to vote for your favorite bird, bloom, & butterfly photo. Click on 'Vote Now!' below and cast your votes!

 VOTE NOW!

Thank you for voting!

Great Holiday Gift Idea: Adopt a bird!

Did you know that you can adopt a bird? You can through the Audubon Adoption Center!  I love this! Give a gift to help protect birds! When you adopt you pick the bird and you get a plush bird, a Certificate of Adoption, and the bird photo. Your donation protects the bird and it's habitat. Learn more by visiting clicking on 'Adopt a bird!' below.

Adopt a bird!

Weekend Housekeeping: Keep feeders clean & full.

It was a beautiful weekend so, I gave the feeders a good cleaning and filled them full of new feed & treats. It's really important to clean your feeders at least once a month. Just use warm water and maybe a little dish soap but don't use anything containing bleach. 
I'm really looking forward to cooler weather because birds are more active and they rely more on the feeders. If you're new at bird feeding, a great thing to start with is a suet cake and cage. The suet cakes are $1.50-$2.00 and the feeder cages are about $3.00. These are really good for birds during the winter months when food supplies are limited. Suet cakes are made of animal fat and it gives birds the energy they need during the winter months.  So keep your feeders clean and ready for the cooler temperatures. 

PBS Special Tonite "Super Hummingbirds"

Be sure to tune in tonite @ 7pm on PBS for "Super Hummingbirds".  If you missed it, set your dvr because they're replaying it 10/12/16 @ midnight and Fri. 10/14/16 @ 3am.

Thank you, Nikki for telling me about this show!

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I was lucky enough to take this pic this morning. He was perched just right so I could see his beautiful ruby colored throat. 

Eventful day in the yard (my bird sanctuary)!

 This afternoon, I received a text from my husband saying that I'd missed an exciting day in the bird sanctuary! We had some new visitors! 

There was a bluebird fledgling in our bird bath!  A "fledgling" is a young bird that has just got it's winged feathers and is able to fly. A few days ago we were talking about how we hadn't seen the bluebirds in a while...and now there are baby birds! We're supposed to have cooler temperatures this weekend so, I'm really hoping to see the fledglings myself.

Another exciting event of the afternoon, is this guy! It's an Oriole! I'm not sure what kind yet but it appears to be an immature male. I'm going to have to do some more research to better identify it. We haven't seen an Oriole here before so, I'm hoping it'll be back this weekend! I do have to thank my husband for grabbing the camera and getting some pics today. He made my day!

I'm looking forward to the Fall season! Cooler temps will hopefully bring out the birds again and make for good bird watching! Oh and don't forget....bring on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes!