Becky, the YRWs have made it this far north - there was one feeding on our suet yesterday. DH was going to take the suet down when it got pretty hot here a few days ago, but luckily he changed his mind. Now the weather has cooled again, so the suet will stay solid for a few more days.

Migrating ducks, mergansers, and grebes are using our fish pond as a refuelling stop on their journey to the far north. DH took this photo of a Pied-billed Grebe.


Two pairs Canada geese started nesting on the banks of the pond about a week ago, way too early since vegetation has not started growing yet and so their nests were in full view. This morning, the geese have gone and the nests are empty, just a few scraps of eggshell left behind. I'm guessing that the coyotes that were scouting the area a few days ago came back last night for a feast. Natural goose population control at work.

Pied-bills are one of the cutest of the small grebes. Just love them.

Finally, a bird - Robin on neighbor's roof.

Love Robins, seldom see them here.

Ah, the Turdus Migratorius! A great bird! One of our Winter visitors, though I have heard some say that they are here in my area year round...I've only seen them passing through in the Winter. Gotta love that name! It fits! They can be pretty messy!

No photos for you yet but I did buy both a thistle feeder and another feeder for sunflower seeds. Got them filled with some good quality food and hanging under the Redbud tree. Now waiting for the action. The Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse and Indigo Buntings have found the feeders but the Cardinals and Goldfinches that are around haven't discovered it yet. The hummers are here in force and very aggressive. Looking forward to a great summer.

Not sure how I lost this thread but I did!! So glad to see everyone's great photo's! I bet everyone is excited about the arrival of spring and the return of the backyard birds. We had a fairly mild winter here but I know many of you in the north have really suffered from cold, snow and ice. I haven't taken a lot of photo's lately but yesterday I spotted a Mockingbird dive bombing a hawk which flew to a power line and didn't seem the least bit annoyed with the Mocker. The photo is grainy because it was from a distance; I tried cropping it once it was downloaded which just made it even grainer.

Red-shouldered Hawk


About 7 O'clock this morning I spotted a Great Blue Heron and a Snowy Egret along the waters edge; these pic's were taken from a distance also so they are a bit grainy as well.

Great Blue Heron ...................................... Snowy Egret (breeding plumage)

Great photos Lin. I lose a thread once in awhile and it is very annoying, hard to catch up.

I've lost forums before ... sometimes I think it's my age.

Lin, it couldn't possibly be age related, if that were so I would never find anything on here.

I sometimes forget my age, which I guess isn't actually a bad. I misplace things all the time and I really hate it when I go shopping (and although I try to remember the general area) I can't remember where I parked! ... then I set off my alarm (just for a second or two) so that I can find my car.

Well Lin, at least we can laugh about our forgetfulness, it can be pretty funny at times.

Lin, great photos. I once drove a hired car into a huge shopping centre carpark. I couldn't remember the make or the colour or where I parked it. They drove me round on a trolley up the levels with me pressing my key.

Usually I only have one regular ibi. Today there were four ibis.

They are the terror of seedlings. Nothing stands in their way to a juicy worm (or dog food, compost, fruit, porridge, breakfast, bbq chicken, eggs, pork roast, sea food, rubbish bins, bird seed and bread).

Gleni said:Lin, great photos. I once drove a hired car into a huge shopping centre carpark. I couldn't remember the make or the colour or where I parked it. They drove me round on a trolley up the levels with me pressing my key.

Oh yeh, ibis can tear up a yard!

Gleni said: I once drove a hired car into a huge shopping centre carpark. I couldn't remember the make or the colour or where I parked it. They drove me round on a trolley up the levels with me pressing my key.

That sure sounds like me!

The Ibises are so pretty, we see them on occasion around here but thank goodness they don't tear up the yard ... I guess with the water behind the house they find enough to eat so don't venture into the yard; of course we have the dog now so he'd probably scare them off.

Gleni said:Lin, great photos. I once drove a hired car into a huge shopping centre carpark. I couldn't remember the make or the colour or where I parked it. They drove me round on a trolley up the levels with me pressing my key.