A New Home for the Eastern Bluebird

This male Eastern Bluebird was busy inspecting out a potential new home for itself and probably its mate.  The cozy tiny space was likely pecked-out by a busy woodpecker some weeks or months ago up in the heights of my backyard Live Oak Tree.  Winter is approaching and the bluebirds are eager to have their warm dry home.  I took these pictures yesterday, November 3, 2016.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger version of the picture.  Enjoy!

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Cool Fun (and Grub) for the Birds

Bluebird, House Finches

Songbirds such as Eastern Bluebirds, and House Finches enjoy the refreshing cool waters of the bird bath.  One of my neighbors has a bird bath next to the really nice bird feeding station that they have set up.  I know the little birds are enjoying the cool water and refreshments quite a lot.  It was 93 degrees F. here yesterday.

A small group of young Morning Doves like the tasty bird seeds that fall from the tray feeder (I also have spotted one of the doves up on the tray feeder itself).   I enjoyed watching the birds’ splash party!  It is such a nice thing for homeowners to include food and water for the songbirds in their front or backyard landscape!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger picture.

Finches at the feeder

Morning Dove

Eastern Bluebird Female

 

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird

Bluebird and House Finch

Sweet Songbirds and a Surprise

Male Eastern Bluebird

We went to what we thought was a Burrowing Owl Preserve here in our area a few days ago.  We heard from a resident who lives next to the preserve, that due to the presence of Coyotes, the owls had left that large field preserve area a few years ago.  I did spot a trio of songbirds and surprisingly, a small Black Racer Snake, which is non-poisonous.

The Eastern Bluebirds cheerfully sat on the wooden fence surrounding the large field that had been the home of the owls (supposedly now it is home to Gopher Tortoises which we did not see).  After the Eastern Bluebirds left, a Northern Mockingbird took their place on the fence.  I also spotted an Eastern Blue Jay in the trees next to the fence but there were too many leaves in the way of my shot to get a good picture.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Female Eastern Bluebird

The “Surprise”! A Black Racer Snake

A Northern Mockingbird

Some Bluebirds Have Arrived!

Eastern Bluebirds have arrived in my neighborhood.  I am so happy!  A backyard neighbor has a couple of bird houses that may or may not be occupied.  I spotted a hen Eastern Bluebird checking out one of those houses on Saturday, October 17, 2015.  Nice cozy spot to spend the Winter!  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.  Enjoy!

A Few Cheery Springtime Songbirds

Songbirds such as Cardinals and Bluebirds are just so cheery I always appreciate sighting them!  I saw these Eastern Bluebirds and Northern Cardinals here in the last few days.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the slightly larger view of the photograph.  Enjoy!

Ducks, a Shorebird, and Songbirds Here

A Lesser Yellowlegs

I took these pictures in and near my neighborhood in the last several days.  I have enjoyed seeing a Lesser Yellowlegs shorebird, a pair of Hooded Mergansers, NorthernMockingbirds, and a few Eastern Bluebirds.  It has been cooler and rainy here in Marion County, Florida this week so opportunities for bird watching have been limited.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

Hooded Merganser Ducks

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds

A Northern Mockingbird

A Bathing Beauty

Bluebirds love to splash in bird baths!  The weather here was much warmer than usual on the day I took these pictures, so the birds were taking full advantage of my neighbor’s bird bath.  Nothing soothes a hot bird better than cool fresh water.  I am happy to see Eastern Bluebirds here again.  But, there are dangerous hawks about so the little birds need to remain vigilant.

Eastern Bluebirds are gorgeous blue buff and apricot birds.  They are small but do a lot of good catching insects.  The bluebirds enjoy flying insects, worms, and nearly every other kind of smaller insect found in most yards.  A few neighbors here have established nesting houses so I am pretty confident that the bluebirds will be around for a long time.  The large number of crows are doing their best to chase off hawks when those come by(twice this week alone!).  I took these pictures on Dec. 26, 2013.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!