Sheila‘s On the Wing Shots: ~ Honey Bees enjoying Autumn Joy
Honey Bee and Autumn Joy
I planted several Stonecrop plants along our driveway, because they are attractive, drought resistant and the bees love them. They are in full bloom and the Honey Bees are having a feast.
The Western Scrub-Jays are beautiful, bright and entertaining…..
They spend their spring and summers in my yard and for that I am grateful.
Every morning, when I go outside to put fresh water in the bird baths, they come gliding in, demostrating just how graceful they are.
They also come with hopes of getting a peanut or two.
Baby – Western Scrub-Jay Not the best place to land, but he/she is still just a baby. It has been fun watching this baby learn what and what not to eat!
When we returned home from our six-month (half-time) RV travels back in May, we were greeted with several days of snow and cold temperatures. After several days of warm weather, I thought we would go from winter to summer. However, for several days now it has been “cool” here in northern Colorado, currently it is 55 degrees! Lovely!! These lower temperatures are welcome!
The hubby and I were sitting on the deck one evening last week enjoying a glass of red wine when all of a sudden we heard loud quacking. I turned toward the noise and saw a huge crow trying to gain altitude with a baby bird in its claws. The baby bird was heavy enough and the attack by the parents powerful enough to caused the crow to land in the middle of the street. I tried to run out to assist, but as I was making my way down the driveway the crow flew off ~ with the baby.
This crow raided the nearby nest of a pair of Western Scrub-Jays. These Jays were so upset flying in circles and “crying” for the longest time. My heart broke listening to their cries and I just hope the baby Jay died quickly. Mother Nature can be so cruel.
Since the snow melted, I am not seeing the Dark-eyed Juncos at my feeders, haven’t for two weeks now They are probably enjoying higher elevations (perhaps up in Rocky Mountain National Park) and much cooler temperatures. I guess five-thousand feet wasn’t high enough for them!
A few Western Scrub-Jays, over the years, have adopted my yard to spend their spring and summers. I often see them chasing away the Blue Jays – this is their home after all. This morning I did observe a Blue Jay grabbing a peanut! Where were you Scrub?? I delight in the Scrubs presence with their comical antics and look forward to seeing them upon our return home. In the mornings they will hear my garage door opening and will fly to greet me chattering away, because they know I am putting out bird seed and their favorite – peanuts.
Scrub JayBlack Bird – Crow or Raven?
I have several species of birds nesting either in my yard or near by. Among these are: House Finches, Spotted Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees, Morning Doves and Ringed Turtle-doves. There might be more, but I have not witnessed the nesting activity of others.
~ Spotted Towhee ~ a nesting pair in my yardA handsome male House FinchLichen Covered Boulders, Resting Dragon Flies, Sleeping Cats and a very old Grape Vine. Another view of part of my back yard.
And , of course these bird-seed eating machines What can one do, but to enjoy their antics as well!
~ You talking to Me ~
Yeah, spring is here and I hope it lasts for a few more weeks!!!!
Here is Loveland, Colorado we are experiencing our second snow storm within a week. Last week it snowed for three days straight leaving us with an accumulation of two feet. This storm, which started mid-morning, will have accumulations of 4 to 6 inches continuing over night.
During the storm last week I found two frozen Mountain Blue Birds. I think they were migrating through Loveland to higher elevations in Rocky Mountain National Park and sorry to say got caught in this usual spring weather. It left me feeling very sad.
We have several juniper trees that produce berries and the Robins and Townsend’s Solitaire are enjoying them during these snow storms!
We have always made a conscience effort to plant trees, scrubs and flowers in our yard that produce food for wildlife and it has always paid us back with many colorful creature visits!
