Thanks Lin! I sure hope that they don't have the same egg laying traits as those cowbirds do. I really don't think that the one bird was feeding the other bird. I think it just looked at way. They all seemed to be eating on their own. But, I guess weirder things have happened.

Thanks Margaret, for not wanting me to sit out in the rain.

Sometimes male birds feed their mates and many birds (both mom and dad) feed their young.

I understand that Lin, but these two were eating by themselves. It just looks that way in the picture. I'm sure of it, as I was watching them the entire time.

I do think I saw a baby Bluebird the other day, being fed by one of the parents. I thought it was a little early for babies, but it sure looked like one! Cute as could be, too!

Oh how I'd love to see Bluebirds here ... I bet the babies are so much fun to watch!

I'd love to see a Cardinal here! The Bluebirds are a good trade-off though. This is the first place that I've lived where they also live, so I'm sure enjoying them! We also provide lots of Bluebird houses for them, so they seem to be happy. They like to watch when I'm working in the garden, and come really close, to see if I stirred up any bugs!

Natalie, no problem with the Gross-beaks, they are not like the Cowbirds.

Thanks!! I really do not like Cowbirds. Luckily, I have seen almost none here. I'm sure they must be in the area, but they are probably hanging out at the neighbors house, since she has cows.

Still can't get a shot of one of them on the nest but I did catch the two of them together. The male brought the female some dinner. Looks like a small snake. Hope this doesn't offend anyone. Don't know why this is showing this way but you have to click on the second photo to see it.

Mated pair of Red-shouldered Hawks








Mated pair of Downy Woodpeckers


Male Eastern Bluebird


Had to share a photo that my wife took early this morning of the sunrise

Wonderful, Dave! Love your wife's shot, too! And who would get offended by nature? I post pictures of butterflies mating all the time and I think that's much racier. Ooh la la! Just part of the life cycle. Gotta know how these things work if we're going to protect endangered species or just not mess with the ones that are already fine.

Dave, what awesome shots! The sunrise at your place is breathtaking! Love those Hawk photos ... and it isn't offensive at all, it's all part of nature and they are God's creatures too. I can see the snake in the first photo; looks to be in the talons of the one on the left. Cute Downy pair and oh my, stunning photo of the Bluebird!

I truly enjoy seeing everyone's photos here!

Love the Hawk photos! Wish I had done as well when I took these. Didn't have time to grab the tripod, so that will be my excuse. Also, the sun was bouncing off its chest. Not the best, but the best I have right now. Also got a couple of pictures of one of the Bluebirds. I sure do love them! Just wish that she had turned around and smiled.

Dave, I have no problem with you showing the hawks eating a snake, they gotta eat too.

Nice shots Natalie, lighting can be difficult when shooting birds and animals.

Natalie, I think those are great shots of the hawk and I love those photos with the hawk at the tip top of the tree with that gorgeous forest in the background ... looks like a forest of Christmas trees! That first shot of the Bluebird close up is nice too even if the light is off. What a pretty girl! I sure would love to see Bluebirds in my area.

Thanks Margaret and Lin. The Bluebird was on my side of the fog, so that is what it looked like in person. Can't blame the light on that one! Wish I could get a better picture of that hawk though, without a glowing chest! The tree is on our property, and I'm hoping that there is a nest in there again this year, but I can't see one. Couldn't see it last year either, but I keep looking! Maybe I can convince the hawk to turn the other way once in a while? It always sits in this direction!

Just missed a picture of a turkey walking right past the family room window! Dang it! My DH didn't bother to tell me until it was out in the yard. By then, the dogs had seen it, and were barking and banging into the window, and scared it off. Tried to get a picture of it as it went down the hill, but I haven't check to see if it turned out. I'm sure it didn't though.

How cool ... we sometimes see wild turkeys along the roadways here during the fall.

Don't know why it double posted.

Thanks guys. It's been a good weekend at Happily EverAfter with Eagles, Hawks and little guys. Weather has been beautiful today and all the mated pairs are coming out. Wrens building a nest under the porch on top of one of the support logs. And...I saw my first butterfly of the year. A Cabbage White went flitting by today.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

I have so enjoyed everyone's photos!!! to you all.

Jay, we have those ducks here. There is a pair who we see each year hanging out high in one of the oak trees out back. It seems so odd to see ducks with big webbed feet walking the limbs way on up there.