That is it Robin. I kept clicking all over the place on Facebook to get that link.mit allows me to SAVE it but does not show it.

Isn't it interesting the way those suitors are presenting themselves but not fighting with each other...Washington can take a few pointers from the Birdy world!

GrannyMarie said:I was fortunate this morning to get a photo of the very elusive Levitating Ohio Cardinal.

Do you have that birds number???

My grandson practiced for a good two weeks trying to levitate himself...I want to show him that even a bird can do it.

Got really lucky just now, mama Blue Jay brought her three babies to the bamboo stand next to the feeders: you can tell the babies only because their tails are so short. The one shot with 4 birds is mama bringing seeds to them from the feeder.





The cardinal pair is always around, too and they bring their babies along in the evenings.

Elaine, that's so cool! Cute babies!

Elaine, that's good to know about the shorter tails. I would have known something was different, but it would have driven me crazy trying to figure out what.

Okay, birders - I have a question. I was outside feeding my caterpillars and the activity on the hummingbird feeder was very good. Even my brother saw the male come over. Here's a few shots of the female, first.



Later, the male came over. He's funny in that he'll sip, then fly backwards about a foot, go back to the flower, and repeat this five or six times. I tried to get a shot of his red throat, but my Shepard's Hook was in the way so look all the way to the right in the second photo.



I know ants and wasps can be a problem, and my feeder does have an ant moat. I did catch a bee enjoying some sugar water, and I told him he should stick to real flowers, but if I can have McDonald's every now and then, I figured he was okay.



But what really got me concerned was this "fluff" on one of the perches. I know it wasn't there yesterday because I cleaned out the feeder yesterday evening. What is that and should I be concerned? Should I remove it?

looks like a fluffy baby bird feather to me Melanie , I would remove it if I saw it on my feeder.

Finally, the hummers are back! Being at the gateway to the Adirondacks it takes a long time for them to get here.




I was dancing around when I saw it early this morning.

Yes, the perch probably gets sticky and if a fluffy bird landed on there, some feathers might get stuck.

The adult Blue Jays have tails that are nearly 5in. long, Melanie. I'm looking out the window at one right now. The babies have been back at least once more, but they're being shy and staying well back in the bamboo. I'm thinking the hawk must be around . . .

Bird people - a member needs help with a Wren nest question: The thread "Wren dilemma AGAIN" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

MISSINGROSIE said: Isn't it interesting the way those suitors are presenting themselves but not fighting with each other...Washington can take a few pointers from the Birdy world!

Yes Rosie, I agree. Wouldn't it be also interesting if we chose our mate the same way...wow, easy peasy.

Well...I do better with limited choice.
Not to mention they all start to look the same!

Nice to see they can dance

The dancing is a definite bonus!

Saw a new bird this morning and don't know what it is. Pretty!




Also finally was able to get a somewhat clear picture of one of our hummers. Also don't know what kind it is. I think it's a female because it came with another who was much more colorful.




And of course the bluejay was ready to pose!

Your new bird has the same menacing look as Morgan's common grackle. Nice shots Marie!

HA! I noticed that too, Robin. He didn't look to keen on getting his picture taken.

That jay a handsome fella

That Jay is perfectly photogenic...

I have been google eyed at all the bird eye candy you guys have been posting! All I can say to each of you is WELL DONE!!!!!


@mellilong
Melanie I recall you asking about telling the difference between the male & female ruby throat hummers when the males gorget is not flashing red. there are clues that I look for in/around the eyes, the tips of the tail feathers and remember, the male often appears to have a black "neck" when the light is not hitting the gorget feathers producing the ruby effect. This link has some pretty good information on differentiating them.
http://www.rubythroat.org/rthu...

Ann, you have to spell my name right when you tag me! And I was being so good about checking my notifications just to make sure no one tagged me today! I went to the movies and did a lot of genealogy stuff. I did get some pictures but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. It's bedtime. It's way past my bedtime. Oh, and the hummingbird feeder is almost empty! They must really, really like it.

The male hummingbird was checking me out today and I was in crazy yelling mode. I was like, "I am the dominant species! That's right, you better fly away!" I had "issues" today. So when my brother says he's going to mow the yard I told him to watch out for aggressive hummingbirds. And my brother doesn't know nature so he looks at me and then looks at Dad like, "Is she putting me on?" Hey, the mower is red...