The End of the Rainbow

We've had a lot of rain -

last week, weekend, and looks like all this next week. 

Last evening, just before sunset, 

the clouds, still pouring rain on us, pulled away from the horizon

 and  the most glorious rainbow stretched across the road, 

practically in my backyard! 

(Canon Rebel, Xsi, 18-55mm lens, f 8.0, ISO 1600, cropped slightly)

Amazing Finch!

I was glancing out my window and saw this valiant little finch.

Its leg is stiff - unusable.

I was amazed that it has thrived -

looks healthy

and can perch with one leg!

But, amazing still....

...is this act

(and I have a couple of othershots like it!)

It looks like she can fly with ONE WING!

That's just doesn't seem possible...

Sparrow House Activity Update

Remember the Sparrow couple I posted on May 7th?

Well, they must have liked the house because now...

 ...this mother sparrow is back and forth

carrying flying insects, two at a time!

Because I was so close to the house, she was very cautious.

First, she would fly along the hedge watching me.

Then she would land on the top of the swingset

and watch some more.

Finally, she would land on the house....

...pop in...

 

...and pop out, again! 

She did this, over and over, 

until sunset...

Amazing!

(Photos taken 05/22/2010 - Canon Rebel Xsi; 250mm lens, f 8,0, ISO 400 and 800)

Welcome Back!

This is one of the little house finches

that was happy to be back at the feeders this evening.

It seemed like he was heaving a sigh of relief when he arrived!

Poor thing!

And this handsome guy is one of those house finches

that is more orange than red -

I love the color!

So nice to have you back, boys!

The Birds and the Wasp?

A quick update on the Grackles -

Jayne suggested putting out safflower seed, so I went to Walmart and picked up a bag. I also got a new tube feeder that is a better quality than the ones I used to have; with that I bought a bag of "Songbird Seed" by Scott - mostly niger thistle and a few little tiny seeds, all of which fit through the small finch port on the tube feeder.
I loaded the tube feeder; put fresh blackoil sunflower seeds in the tray feeder; filled one of the house style feeders with safflower seeds (took the other one down for now); filled the water dish and took down the suet cake. And then I waited.

It didn't take long for the Grackles to appear. The feeders had been empty since the day before. They jumped from here to there and back again - even looked on the ground for seed. They returned about six times, aftere which I didn't see them the rest of the day. Then, they came only once this morning. I get the idea they don't like safflower seed  very well? ;)

In the meanwhile, the finches have come back strong, and, of course, that makes me extra happy! One pretty little female is pulling cotton like crazy for a nest that is up about 50 ft in the tree! 

Later this afternoon, when I was going to sit down and look at my camera book, I saw a wasp on the outside of my window and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try some close-up photography.

The downside is that the photos are through a double-paned window that isn't very clean :(  The upside, however, is that I got some really interesting shots!

He was grooming himself, so in this photo he is reaching for his antenna while scratching under his leg.

 Look at those pinchers! Scary equipment!

 When Mr. Kitty heard the beep and the shutter of the camera, he had to come investigate for himself. I wonder what they are thinking as they look at each other through a glass barrier?

                           
(All photos were taken with the Canon Rebel Xsi, 18-55mm lens, f 8.0, ISO 1600 - edited for cropping and sharpening - click on each photo for enlarged view - ;)

Hummingbird Nest

My son works for landscape company and yesterday he brought home a hummingbird's nest. The owner of the property wanted his trees trimmed. When the crew went to the job a while ago, they found the nest and it was occupied. They "flagged" it, and waited until it was no more activity. Yesterday, when they checked it, there was a broken egg and a dead baby, which they removed before trimming the branch.

I am truly fascinated with it. It is remarkably small and masterfully crafted. I cannot imagine a little hummingbird constructing such a sturdy piece of work, nor can I imagine how two little birds could reside in the small cavity until it was time to fly. They must be so tiny when they leave the nest!

Measurements: 

depth along the branch - 2 in.; 

circumference outside edge to outside edge - 11/2 in.; 

circumference inside edge to inside edge - 1 in;

I have no idea how the nest is attached to the branch! The above  photo is the back and there is nothing there that has substantial holding power.

It seems that the main component of the nest is the light green stringy moss woven to form the cup shape. On the outside of the stringy moss is a layer of "chips" - used like shingles - I imagine to keep it dry? The inside is lined with tightly woven cotton - similar to the cotton I have at the feeder stations - finches love it for nesting.

The next photo shows the bottom of the nest. Nothing can penetrate the walls of the nest - and if I were a hummingbird baby, I think I would be pretty comfortable as long as I fit!

I never tire of the wonders of the world around me. No matter how I may be feeling or what is going on in my life, the created world always intrigues me, amazes me, and speaks of the peace, joy and love of the Creator to me.

(Photos taken 05/19/2010; Canon Rebel Xsi, 1.4 lens, f5.6, ISO 400)

Eurasian Collared Doves

This spring, I've seen dove-like birds a couple of miles from my house, when I've been taking my daughter to school. It is common to see pigeons here, but not doves and certainly not in my yard. I recall seeing birds of this family in my yard only twice in the 7 years I've lived in this house.

Today, when I'd finished eating lunch, I looked out my window and saw two birds in the oak tree. At first glance, I thought they were Mourning Doves - regardless, they looked lovely in my tree. I got the camera and got a couple of shots from the open window and decided to try to get closer by going outside. I got a decent photo or two in spite of the rain, and then, came in to crop and identify.

I was looking under "Mourning Doves," (no crescent under the eyes); "Turtle Doves," (no speckled wings), and finally, by describing the bird to a friend, found out that they were "Eurasian Collared Doves" - duh! You'd think the collar should have helped me guess ;)

They were introduced to the United States through the Bahamas and then Florida. They quickly spread to the west coast and in northern regions of Canada. They've even been seen in Nova Scotia, where I am from! They eat grain from the ground and can be tamed enough to eat out of your hand. Some are kept as pets.

If you are not familiar with the bird, and would like to read more about them, here are a couple of links.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Collared-Dove/lifehistory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasian_Collared_Dove
As I sit here, I can hear their coo-COOO -coo in the backyard, and I'm smiling hugely at the sound of it, even though no one is here to see it ;)