Summer Backyard Birds

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER 

I've had a lot of fun this summer watching and taking pictures of my Backyard Birds when they visit the Bird Kitchen on my back deck.  All but one of today's pictures were taken in August of 2014.   The first batch are just a variety of some of our many visitors.. The last group are from my favorite little birds,  the EASTERN BLUEBIRDS....

Hope you enjoy the photos.. Be sure to click on them for enlargements....  SO---get another cuppa,  sit back and just enjoy!!!!!  Above is another of my favorites  (Ahhhh Shucks --they are ALL favorites!!!! ha),  the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.. All of the woodpeckers love the no-melt Peanut Suet....

NORTHERN CARDINAL on the Plate Feeder

RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER at the Suet Feeder

PILEATED WOODPECKER  (our biggest visitor, also at the Suet Feeder)

HA HA, What a Face!  Mr. PILEATED is giving ME the 'look'!!!!  I think I heard him tell me to "Get Outta Here" -----Ya think????

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I bought this new bird feeder in July for peanuts for our Blue Jays (which we have many)... The new feeder is domed which protects the bird food when it rains.  It also helps protect (sorta) the food from the squirrels...  BUT--since buying this one,  I will say that the Blue Jays don't like that feeder... They are TOO large for it --and since it is light-weight,  it swings too much for them.  SO--I have made some adjustments this month.  The smaller birds love this feeder --so I now have Fruit and Nuts in this feeder.  The Blue Jays will continue to grab their peanuts from the Plate Feeder (which is heavier and larger)...  BUT--I do recommend this domed feeder --which is similar to the domed feeder I use for the mealworms for the Bluebirds.

Here  is a photo of part of my Bird Kitchen.  There's something new there.  Can you see it?  Look in the upper right corner.... We have a new bird feeder made with Stained Glass.  Isn't it gorgeous?  This actually came from an antique store --and was given to me for my birthday from son Jeff and daughter-in-law Dawn.  I love it!!!

We have a new bird house on the front porch  (also given to us by Jeff and Dawn).  I have been concerned about our little Carolina Wrens --who want to nest in the garage (a NO-NO)... Now they are nesting in the hanging basket you see there...  SO---hopefully they will use the new little nest box the next time they raise a family!!!!!



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These last 6 pictures (some of which were taken by George when I was in the shower)  are my favorite ones.  I love our EASTERN BLUEBIRDS ---and they live here year 'round.  They begin nesting each year in Spring (in the nestbox we provide for them), and have had at least TWO families this year..   Sometimes they have THREE families ---but I'm not sure they will this year.  They are happy here and love the mealworms we provide.   I love this photo of Daddy in flight --as Baby is BEGGING.

Note that the Baby Blues are as big (or bigger) than the Daddy...

This one has been cropped --so it's not very clear.. BUT--I wanted you to see a close-up picture of this precious Baby Bluebird... They are very spotty --and full of little fuzz like so many baby birds are!!!!!  TOO adorable!!!!

YUM------Baby is enjoying some delicious mealworms!!!!   Daddy also tries to teach the little ones to feed themselves. 

Now we have TWO Babies begging for dinner!!!!  Is Daddy Blue looking at ME ---telling me to leave them alone??????

Both Little Blues are being patient while Daddy gets some more mealworms to share with them... Once Daddy turns around,  I wish you could hear and see those little ones.  They shake all over and make the cutest little tinkly sound!  It is truly awesome!

The other thing I wanted to share today was to tell you that the older brothers/sisters (from the first family born this spring) also help Daddy with caring for, feeding and teaching the young ones.  At some times,  there are 5-6 Bluebirds in or around the feeders.   They are SO much fun to watch.  Wish you were here!!!

Hope you had a good weekend and have a great week ahead.
Hugs,

Emoticons

Favorite JULY Roses in our Yard --2014

APRIL IN PARIS ROSE--taken on 7/13/14

This is the third month  I have posted some of our favorite ROSES (Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras) growing in our yard so far this year.  If you missed either of these two posts,  click HERE for May Roses and/or HERE for June Roses.  We have SIXTY ONE different roses --and most all of them have bloomed,  some over and over... George and I 'walk the yard'  every morning and evening and take pictures of these beauties...

Hope you enjoy our JULY Bloomers.  Be sure to click on them for enlargements... I chose 10 for you ---plus 2 more of my favorites as extras.  Wish you could be here to SMELL these gorgeous flowers!!!

WELCOME HOME ROSE --taken on 7/14/14

HELEN TRAUBEL ROSE-- taken on 7/15/14

MIDAS TOUCH ROSE--taken 7/18/14 (after a rain)

STRIKE IT RICH ROSE --taken on 7/20/14

PARADISE ROSE---taken on 7/21/14

SEDONA ROSE  (with dew on it)--taken on 7/25/14

SHEER BLISS ROSE (bud)--taken on 7/26/14

RIO SAMBA ROSE --taken on 7/26/14

PEPPERMINT SPLASH ROSE --taken on 7/28/14

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These next two choices are my personal favorites during July --although both of them have been featured either in my May list or my June list...

RONALD REAGAN ROSES--taken on 7/29/14

You might remember from my June Rose list that this beautiful rose (always a favorite) was one which we ALMOST lost this year due to our frigid winter.  George put it in a container and has babied it since Spring... Isn't it beautiful???? OH--how I love this one!

PERFECT MOMENT ROSE  ---taken on 7/29/14

This rose is one which can take my breath away when looking at it... We have so many gorgeous roses,  but Perfect Moment really showed  off during July.

Hope you enjoyed my JULY Rose Choices.   Which one(s) are your favorites this month???

As I've said many times,  the ROSES are George's babies... He loves them all and does whatever is needed to keep them happy and blooming..  AND--he brings one inside every day just for me to enjoy at my desk.   They are AWESOME.  Thanks,  Honey!

Don't forget to check out the new Quotes listed on my right sidebar this month.

Very sad about Robin Williams death.. He was such a gifted actor in so many ways.  Besides his comedy,  I loved many of his movies.  Some I loved were "Patch Adams",  "Dead Poet's Society",  "Good Will Hunting" --and of course,  "Mrs. Doubtfire".... He will be missed... God Bless his family and loved ones.

Hugs,

Emoticons