Hummers of Magnolia

I don't know what my stepmom puts in her hummingbird nectar, but she has the largest population of hummingbirds I've ever seen. At one time I counted 17 hummers, but I think there are more. The buzzing is so loud, you'd swear there was a swarm of bees nearby. They're difficult little creatures to photograph, but I tried! Photographed 9/25 and 9/26 in Magnolia, MS.

Time to skedaddle! There's the photographer lady.

Although they squabble occasionally, these are a pretty friendly crew.

Our Little Pigs

Spring is playing hide and seek with us this week. You'd think by now in the Deep South that we would have beautiful weather, but no. I had to turn the heater on in the house and my hands at this moment are stiff and cold. I really shouldn't complain too much; we are enjoying colorful blooms, and the oppressive heat and humidity will be suffocating us soon enough. Here are some birds that have been eating like hungry pigs in our yard this week. Maybe the cold weather is causing them to eat more because I seriously cannot keep the feeders filled. Within a couple of hours they're empty.

Blue Jay - the backyard bully

We have two hummers now - a Ruby Throat and this one. It might be Anna's or a Black-chinned.
I love how his eyes are closed and his tongue is sticking out.

Happy to report we have high numbers of American Goldfinch - at least a dozen or more.
I purchased this feeder to attract Baltimore Orioles. There are three cups that you fill with jelly.
I gave up on the jelly and filled the cups with seed. The Goldfinches have taken it over and that's okay with me.

House Finch
(the white-ish color in the background that looks like a cross is the fence for the baseball field)

European Starling

Downy Woodpecker

Carolina Wren.

I see a return trip to Lake Martin in my immediate future. According to a birding list I subscribe to, there are at least 200 Roseate Spoonbills nesting right now. I'm sure Double D will fall all over himself with excitement when I deliver the news to him as soon as he arrives on Saturday from his 500 mile business trip. :/ If he declines to take me this weekend, I can always go visit the owlets. Y'all have a good one. See ya next week!

Ruffles

We are now hosting our very own Rufous Hummingbird. This little guy seems to have displaced Pierre, our beloved Ruby-throat, taking residence in the large crepe myrtle tree. Rufous hummers only winter in these parts, so hopefully Pierre will return when Ruffles migrates farther south. He's quite a character and we are enjoying his company however long it may be.

This is Ruffie's tongue. He may have been trying to catch an insect.

Showing off his green head.

Flashing his gorget.

LINK

Flora and Fauna, Part I

I thought you might be getting tired of my bird-centric posts, so this is my attempt to mix it up just a bit.

Jane Magnolia at my neighborhood entrance, 2/5/13

Oops, another bird. Sorry. Brenda the Barred Owl, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/1/13

I think this is a swamp oak at Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/1/13

Noticed while on the levee photographing the eagles. The insect is a bonus. 2/5/13

Dried plants at Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13

Not sure what is sprouting from this tree at Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13

Downy Woodpecker, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13

The lizards are in abundance at Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13
I think he's giving me the stink eye.

Rufous Hummingbird, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/2/13

Bluebonnet Swamp Part III

I was finally able to get some halfway decent shots of the Rufous at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, my go-to place at the moment for lots of bird activity. There are a few dedicated volunteer birders at Bluebonnet that have graciously helped me find the hot spots, and for that I am very grateful.

Being coy perhaps?

Not the clearest shot, but I liked the colors in his gorget.

Still not as sharp as I'd like, but look at those little feet!

Meet Brenda, the resident barred owl. These were taken January 23, 2013. I so wish the light had been better and that she was sitting on a lower branch, but wildlife is wildly uncooperative. I saw both Barry and Brenda today and had several opportunities for good photos, however, the light was again uncooperative. If I had brought my tripod I probably could have done better. Laziness never pays off.

The titmice are super cute and super fast. Look at that faux hawk, big brown eyes, and tiny beak. Precious, right? They are also stealthy experts at getting seed from the feeder in 2 seconds flat. Thank goodness for high-speed continuous shooting mode.

Above my head I heard persistant clacking noises as though from a woodpecker. Imagine my surprise seeing this industrious titmouse jackhammering away at some sort of seed.

Wishing everyone a pleasant, fun-filled weekend! I am going to a bird watching expedition at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. That's seven A.M. people! Hope I can hang, for I am NOT a morning person. I'll do it for bird shots, though. 

Motley Crew

Greetings everyone! It's been a mushy, wet week here in Baton Rouge. The incessant rain coupled with a very bad cold has got me feeling pretty run down. I was so thankful to have my ipad (thanks, Dad & Darleen!) so I could keep up with your blogs on the couch or bed. The dogs sure have enjoyed all the snuggle time. Since I can't get out with my camera I went through some photos that I had not yet developed. Hope you enjoy and that you all are untouched by this terrible flu season.

Look who's back! It was so nice to see Pierre on Christmas Eve.

Should I bring the hummingbird feeders in for the winter? There seems to be a disagreement on the web.

American Coot - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

Wild-eyed Pigeon - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12
I love the beige and gray colors on him.

White Pelican - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

LSU Lakes - 12/6/12

Red-eared slider - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

Anhinga - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

House Finch - Backyard - 12/23/12

Snowy Egret - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

Snowy Egret with fish - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

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