Monday, June 27, 2011

Early Saturday morning

While my sister visited this weekend, I treated her to some of the excitement that goes on around here in the early morning.

We sat under the dogwood tree by the side patio, sipping our coffee while watching and listening to all the bird action here on the hill. We saw birds chasing and capturing flying bugs, the elusive bluebirds graced us with an appearance, and we got to observe a Hairy woodpecker being challenged at his perch by the smaller Downy.

It doesn’t get any better than this.

I mean, if you like birds and all. And good coffee.

 

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This Hairy woodpecker seems to think he is King of the World.

 

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The smaller Downy woodpecker flies in out of nowhere.

 

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And challenges him for the perch.

 

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This is a showdown.

 

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The little Downy is not giving up.

 

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But it’s the Hairy who remains King of the World.

 

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The beautiful bluebird seems to pose for me.

 

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And the red-bellied woodpecker brought his youngster over to the suet block.

 

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At first, I thought it was a female but my husband told me it was a juvenile. He’s been watching them for a couple of weeks, he says, as the adults take them out to teach them about their world.

He also saw a couple of cardinals mating right outside the window, but that’s a whole other story.

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40 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i've been seeing a couple of these little 'bald' red-bellies around blogland this week. i've never seen a juvenile in person tho so am on the lookout now.

sounds like a perfect sisterly visit. when my sis visited last year (with my niece) we sat on the deck for hours into each evening. listening to the cicadas, frogs and watching barred owls hunt.

Gail said...

Sounds like the perfect thing to do.

Reena said...

Backyard perfection! Glad you showed the juvenile ... I've got some of these guys in the back as well but haven't seen a young one yet.

One of my favorite birds is the red-bellied woodpecker! The cowbirds are getting on my nerves!

Tina said...

Wow...how exciting to be able to witness this and capture all of that on camera! Every now and then we get a cardinal that will come and sit on our fence for a while..of course, it's never the same time I have my camera on me!

Gone Country said...

We have a juvenile red-bellied as well! I've enjoyed watching it 'grow-up'! It loves to land on my metal feeder and 'peck' away... what a loud racket that is!

Great pictures! And what a PERFECT way to start the morning!

Glad you enjoyed your visit with your sister!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

what a perfect summer day...

i love it...

great photographs, my friend

kary and teddy
xx

Chrissykat said...

From someone who LOVES birds and can't tell good coffee from bad coffee...this is a perfect afternoon!

GailO said...

I love that juvenile red bellied photo! ...and the battle for territory...I am amazed how well you captured it! I have several hummingbirds battleing over a feeder but wouldn't even try to catch it on film:)

Sounds like a perfect morning with your sister to me!

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos !
I sit for hours here at the Cove and watch the birds and critters and take their photo, Its one of my favorite things to do ! Have a wonderful day !

tj said...

...Oh my gosh Kate, the photos of the showdown are awesome! I cannot wait until I get a new camera and capture moments like this. Great job girl! :o)

...Watching birds and enjoying great coffee, you're right, it doesn't get any better than that! ;o)

...Enjoy your Sis' - a wonderful sister is one of the many true joys of life.

...Blessings... :o)

{ T G L } said...

These photos are so cool! And I am learning something about bird species along the way ;) Enjoy bird-watching!

Blessings,
This Good Life

Anonymous said...

That's a great looking shot of the juvenile. Sometimes it's hard to tell a female from a juvie....especially in the cardinals I think.

Glad you got to spend time with your sissy... I miss mine a bunch being on opposite coasts as we are.

Di

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Sounds like the perfect morning routine to begin any day:) Love your photos!

Bluebird49 said...

Glad to know that some adults are teaching their "juvies" how to get along in the world. Refreshing...sometimes it takes a bird, I guess! ;)

Deb said...

the best way to visit with family...nice shots.

ELK said...

thank you for letting me be part of this coffee klatch your sister ..me and you and the birds ..what a group!! amazing images as always Kate..have i told you lately how much I admire you ~

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Spectacular shots and commentary, as always.

Tell me..that whole other story. How far did that happen from the lobster buoys? I just want to get the proper setting for my mental image.

Mental P Mama said...

I could watch that all day long. With you there, too, of course.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful morning you two had!...smiles.

homegrown countrygirl said...

Really amazing photos! Thank you for narrating them, too!

Mary said...

I love birds even though I'm not much of an authority on them, so thanks for your beautiful pictures and for the narrative too. :)
xoxo

Another Sister said...

Wow Kate, these photos are great. It's almost as if I were there. Oh wait- I was! Yay for me. Love, love, love the bluebird photo. As many as you took that day, I remember how he sort of posed for you for that one. Bluebird sightings make me smile. Thanks again for sharing your little slice of heaven with me.

That Janie Girl said...

Wow. These are beautiful photos, and gorgeous birds!

I'm impressed!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Love the juvenile!...there are a group of young sparrows that come to the feeder at my kitchen window with their mother. Even though they look old enough to feed themselves, they still do that baby bird shiver and have her feed them. So very cute.

Caroline said...

WOWZA! Such awesome shots. Sounds like you had the perfect weekend!

Cloudia said...

birds are tough little fellows!



you're right: it doesn't get better than this (blog)



Aloha from Waikiki


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Kerri Farley said...

These are FAB Kate! I've never seen a Juvi RB Woodpecker in person .... how FUN! And i LOVE the drama going on at the perch:)

trump said...

Great pictures, i dont think my Kodak can do that,lol. Richard from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,Pa

forgetmenot said...

What fun to watch all the action. Great shots, and that bluebird is fabulous--what a treat. Have a nice week. Mickie :)

mrs mediocrity said...

Oh my gosh, what a great series of shots! I love your bird photos!
Last night I walked down to the swamp and inadvertently scared a mama wood duck...she sped away in the water as her six tiny babies struggled to catch up with her, they were so cute, but I was surprised that she didn't stay to protect her babies.

beth said...

you zinged me at the end with the cardinals, mating and now that's the vision i have in my head while laughing out loud.

oh that bluebird....so gorgeous and we had a baby woodpecker last year at the cottage who was hysterical to watch :)

Daryl said...

This past weekend in Birmingham I spied a little orange bird .. damn thing wouldnt set anywhere long enough to get a snap even with the D90 .. damn

The JR said...

Beautiful. Sounds like a pleasant day with your sissy.

Carolynn Anctil said...

Wow! Beautiful birds, beautiful action shots. It's like wild kingdom in your backyard. *smile*

beas natur said...

I always like topopp by now and then, to look at your beatiful photoes.

sharon said...

darn those woodpeckers anyway. still love their colors though. beautiful birds. As always , thanks for the pics.

A New England Life said...

Being that I'm a bird lady you know I just love these : )

Lisa said...

Kate these are all so gorgeous and wondedrfully captured.

Jan's camera said...

Your day sounds like heaven to me. Thanks so much for sharing again. These birds enchant me.

Lili said...

Wow Kate, those are some fantastic bird shots! That's so amazing how you captured all that woodpecker action. That juvenile is just the sweetest too. You know, I don't believe I've ever even seen birds mating before. Surely I would remember that. ~Lili