nh4me: So glad you found us here and Welcome! Love the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, that's one beauty we don't get down here! Great shot of the Bluebird too, it looks like he has a little bug in his bill!

Glad you found us, Karin!
I saw this new one through a fence today, feeding on the ground (maybe because a squirrel was monopolizing the feeder). Interesting bird, with those orangey eyes! Not very clear pics, I'm afraid, best I could do without scaring it away.

Linda: Great shots of the unidentified bird, I wonder if it's a Thrasher of some sort? Maybe the Curved-billed Thrasher?:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/g...

From yesterday, a Mourning Dove and a Downy Woodpecker:

I DO think it's the Curve-billed Thrasher, Lin! Thanks! My book gives subspecies oberholseri gettting as far east as Texas. I also have a feeling I've seen one of these birds before, but don't remember when.

You are welcome. We only see the Brown Thrasher down this way but it sure looked like a Thrasher of some sort to me!

Think it's time to start an August - Backyard Birds?!

Yes indeed! If you have a photo or two I hope you will begin a new August thread!

No one began a new thread for August so I took the liberty to start one. Come on over and show us your backyard birds: The thread "Backyard Birds - August 2013" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

Would it help if I closed the monthly thread behind you?

I really must apologise for my lack of involvement here. When we left Tennessee a year ago, I left most of my butterfly/bird gardening there.... and I was shocked at how little life there was in my new home, despite the naturalistic setting. I realize now that someone probably did a whole lot of spraying, because I can see more of the two returning.

So, now I have to learn about the different plants and bird/butterfly species for the desert. And it takes up a lot of time! But I will commit to being here more often.

Sheryl: I bet it is was a culture shock moving from lush Tennessee to the dry, desert like setting of Arizona but AZ sure has a lot of natural beauty as well! I hope you are able to eventually attract some birds to your backyard. I googled and found this list for the Phoenix area: http://www.arizonensis.org/son...

Many Butterflies are found in your area too: http://www.phxgardening.com/bu...

Sheryl, here's a list of butterflies and moths for your area.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths...
I've noticed that when I drive into San Antonio the last month or so, there's not much to see as far as birds and butterflies. I think they started spraying certain areas of the city after a flood there earlier in the summer. It's really sad! When I get back home, it seems like my place is fairly teeming with life. No spray here, unless you count insect repellent sprays that I put on me sometimes. I'm getting tired of the heat and lack of rain, however. This heat wave needs to end...and soon!

Great bird pics all. May have some goldfinch and cardinal soon the giant sunflowers have some blooms going to seed.

It's amazing how I can lose track of threads....

Thanks for the lists, you two! It's true that there are a lot here, it's just that there *weren't* for such a long time. Now I have an influx of corvids, doves and sparrows grazing my horse corral.

Still working on the flutterbyes - some tiny little bright orange ones, but that's all at this point.