Since it's June 1st and I don't yet see a new thread for the month, I thought I'd begin one.

I suspected Carolina Wrens were building a dummy nest in an old birdhouse sitting on the brick window ledge in the backyard. I hadn't seen them around in about a month but when I had the dogs out earlier, I was moving some shepherds hooks with feeders and one of the Wrens flew from that area, up to the fence and a couple of seconds later another flew in with nesting material. They were going back and forth, taking turns and then at one point one stayed in there while the other brought more nesting material and passed it inside to the other. It still may end up being a dummy nest but I'm going to keep watch. Here's the series of shots I took while standing about 10 feet away. They watched me but didn't seem too concerned about me being in close proximity.





A Tufted Titmouse also stopped at a feeder for a treat while I was out there:

Thanks for keeping the ball rolling, Lin.


Hanging out......(8 image slideshow):
http://cal3d.com/Ducks%202018/...

plantladylin said:Since it's June 1st and I don't yet see a new thread for the month, I thought I'd begin one.

I suspected Carolina Wrens were building a dummy nest in an old birdhouse sitting on the brick window ledge in the backyard. I hadn't seen them around in about a month but when I had the dogs out earlier, I was moving some shepherds hooks with feeders and one of the Wrens flew from that area, up to the fence and a couple of seconds later another flew in with nesting material. They were going back and forth, taking turns and then at one point one stayed in there while the other brought more nesting material and passed it inside to the other. It still may end up being a dummy nest but I'm going to keep watch. Here's the series of shots I took while standing about 10 feet away. They watched me but didn't seem too concerned about me being in close proximity.





A Tufted Titmouse also stopped at a feeder for a treat while I was out there:

Great wren pics, Lin!
Especially like #7 .....peeking out of the door.
Also, the Titmouse......you must have quick reflexes to get those little guys.

We have a few wrens, but haven't had success with them using the houses I've made.
I'm going to try gourds next year. I have dried ones now, but too late I think for this year.
Been so busy with the pond project, and gardening in general.

I'm sitting here with the biggest smile on my face from looking at those wren pics of Lin's. My favorite is #8.

Nice slideshow Cal!

Thanks y'all.

Cal, what a great slide show ... I love that pond and the pretty Mallards!

I was able to get fairly close to that old birdhouse with the Wrens and when I uploaded my photos, I laughed out loud at the expression on that birds face as it was coming out of the entrance and spotted me. For the Tufted Titmouse shot, I was at the other end of the yard and zoomed in. They are quick little things but don't seem too bothered as long as I'm not close by.

Oh & thanks for the new thread for June too.

Yes, I can't get over the expression on that wren's face!

plantladylin said:Thanks y'all.

Cal, what a great slide show ... I love that pond and the pretty Mallards!

I was able to get fairly close to that old birdhouse with the Wrens and when I uploaded my photos, I laughed out loud at the expression on that birds face as it was coming out of the entrance and spotted me. For the Tufted Titmouse shot, I was at the other end of the yard and zoomed in. They are quick little things but don't seem too bothered as long as I'm not close by.

@flaflwrgrl, @plantladylin......Glad you liked the slideshow.

Maybe I asked already, but what camera are you using? Super images.
Amazing resolution from the other end of the yard (~50ft?).

Continuing the 15 May Lehigh Parkway Saga, after Nelly had ingested he snake, she retired to a good defensive, but nonphotogenic position. I waited for about another thirty minutes, and then headed up to the bird boxes pat the native American museum to check on the Tree Swallows. I found one by the second box, and she was very accommodating, posing for about six minutes. At times, I was able to have the camera within two feet of her. Here are a few of the resulting images:

All of my best images from this sequence are in a Kioza Flash video file at the following link:
http://www.kizoa.com/Movie-Vid...
I am not sure how long the Swallow would have posed, but as soon as I started to leave, she flew off.
I headed back downstream to see if Nelly was still hanging around?

EscondidoCal said: Maybe I asked already, but what camera are you using? Super images. Amazing resolution from the other end of the yard (~50ft?).

Cal, Thank you! My camera is a Canon PowerShot SX60HS. Yes, for the Tufted Titmouse shot, I was probably 50 or so feet away but it's just luck for me when pictures turn out clearly; all I do is zoom in and click the button.

I know nothing about cameras; I have to leave it on the automatic setting because when I start fiddling with things, I end up screwing up all the settings and then can't seem to figure out how to get it back to where I want it ... and then I have to wait for my husband to take the time to reset it to auto for me.

There's a nest in the planter since this dad/Mom comes every few minutes to bring food - I tried to sneak peak on that side but couldn't see anything.
The bird has a long beak and sings a lovely song. Anyone recognize it?
I don't know my birds...

My DH took the photo - need to try to get a close up photo.

Oh, Robert! I can almost hear that swallow singing! Gorgeous pictures.

The Swallows are so gorgeous ... wish we had them here!

Betsy, I can't see that bird clearly but I think it might be a Wren of some sort. They do have really pretty songs. The Carolina Wren has a longer bill then the House Wren.

I found this page with a list of Texas Birds (and some gorgeous photos!): http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/... It appears that y'all have a few Wrens in your state; check out these two for comparison:

Carolina Wren: http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/...
Bewick's Wren: http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/...

plantladylin said:
Cal, Thank you! My camera is a Canon PowerShot SX60HS. Yes, for the Tufted Titmouse shot, I was probably 50 or so feet away but it's just luck for me when pictures turn out clearly; all I do is zoom in and click the button.

I know nothing about cameras; I have to leave it on the automatic setting because when I start fiddling with things, I end up screwing up all the settings and then can't seem to figure out how to get it back to where I want it ... and then I have to wait for my husband to take the time to reset it to auto for me.

Good work, Lin! You're a natural nature photographer.
Great camera, too.

Most of the time I shoot on "auto", too, though I may under- or over-expose, depending on the situation.
I spend more time on lighting, angle, composition, & "juxtaposition" (e.g cliftoncat =).

joannakat said:Oh, Robert! I can almost hear that swallow singing!

You might think so, but she never made a sound during the whole sequence!

EscondidoCal said:Good work, Lin! You're a natural nature photographer.Great camera, too. Most of the time I shoot on "auto", too, though I may under- or over-expose, depending on the situation.
I spend more time on lighting, angle, composition, & "juxtaposition" (e.g cliftoncat =).

Cal, thanks for your kind words. I do wish that I'd studied and learned more about photography and cameras when I was young! I don't usually remember to think about lighting, angle, composition, etc. before I snap the shot so I never really know what they're going to look like until I download them to my laptop for viewing. I get a lot of over-exposed and under-exposed photos and I do try to darken or lighten them with the edit option on my computer but even that sometimes doesn't help much and I trash many, many more pic's than I save ... but I still enjoy taking pictures of the birds, squirrels, bugs, blooms and my dogs, when I can get them to sit still long enough.

The hummers are little piggies....
Calliope hummingbirds

plantladylin said:
Cal, thanks for your kind words. I do wish that I'd studied and learned more about photography and cameras when I was young! I don't usually remember to think about lighting, angle, composition, etc. before I snap the shot so I never really know what they're going to look like until I download them to my laptop for viewing. I get a lot of over-exposed and under-exposed photos and I do try to darken or lighten them with the edit option on my computer but even that sometimes doesn't help much and I trash many, many more pic's than I save ... but I still enjoy taking pictures of the birds, squirrels, bugs, blooms and my dogs, when I can get them to sit still long enough.

You really do have a good photographic eye & technique, regardless of the camera.
BTW, I started taking pics in the '60's ....carried all the gear and then some. Very happy to have a point-and-shoot now, AND
not having to use roll film! God bless the people who invented digital cameras. Life is good.

Practice, practice, practice.
And have fun.

California Quail . Calliopepla Californica. With coma-shaped black plume,
"Topknot". Every year the whole family shows up with their cousins and friends. They are so loud clucking away constantly and fast runners. I can never get very close they race for cover faster than I can catch a pic of them.

Cardinal


... well, it has wings! Dragonfly

plantladylin said:

... well, it has wings! Dragonfly

WOW!!!