Whiskey’s New Life Bird
October 16, 2024 - A Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visited us after Hurricane Milton
Birds
One of the reasons I started this blog was to document the birds that come and go in my backyard. The posts below detail both the rarities and the ordinary wonders with wings!
First of Fall Painted Bunting
October 5, 2024 - My first of fall Painted Bunting showed up right on time on October 2
More Antics from the Backyard Birdcam
March 11, 2024 - Video collage from the backyard birdcams in early spring. Lots of funny behaviors at the feeders and birdbath
Some Sun at Last! More Backyard Birds
February 15, 2024 - Backyard bird photography session in late January yielded birds transitioning into breeding plumage and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird!
Cloudy Afternoon in the Backyard
February 5, 2024 - A backyard photography session with my winter birds: Painted Bunting, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Orange-crowned Warbler
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2024 - We'll kick off 2024 with a Ruby-throated Hummingbird image and a video collage from the backyard birdcams
Hummingbirds and a Squirrel’s Foot!
December 1, 2023 - Videos from a backyard birdcam show at least 2 hummers visiting my feeder and fighting off the bees! Plus a stray squirrel foot...
It’s Time to Bring out the Goldfinch Feeders!
November 26, 2023 - My first-of-fall American Goldfinch and my Painted Buntings are enjoying my caged feeder. Fun video of the feeder squabbles!
The Snowbirds are Back!
October 15, 2023 - The snowbirds are back! Returning feathered friends enjoy a birdbath in Central Florida
Summer Birds at the Birdcam
September 4, 2023 - Birdcam recap from Summer 2023. Mourning Doves, House Finches, Northern Cardinals, and our extra-early Painted Bunting!
First of Fall Painted Bunting 2023 – Very Early!!
August 31, 2023 - First of fall Painted Bunting 2023 comes on the heels of Hurricane Idalia. Record early arrival!
Silly Birds in my Backyard
April 21, 2023 - Springtime backyard bird photography in Central Florida. Nesting cardinals, thrashers, a visiting hawk, and a new Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Zippy is a Real Boy! Ruby-throated Hummingbird Molt
April 17, 2023 - A juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird molts into his adult gorget in front of my camera. From two tiny dots to a flashy red necklace!
Painted Buntings Spring 2023
March 23, 2023 - Hosting Painted Buntings in my backyard each winter is a thrill that never gets old. These colorful birds are a delight to photograph
Brown Thrasher Nest-Building (Goldilocks Style)
March 22, 2023 - The Brown Thrashers are building a nest in my backyard! The male stood for minutes selecting and discarding sticks to find the perfect one
Sometimes Everybirdy is Skittish
March 11, 2023 - A nearby Red-shouldered Hawk makes everybirdy in the backyard skittish. Orange-crowned Warbler and Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectar anyway
Foggy Morning in the Backyard
March 8, 2023 - A foggy morning was perfect for backyard bird photography! My Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectar on the saliva with the Orange-crowned Warbler
Zippy the Hummingbird on Purple Firespike
March 4, 2023 - Backyard bird photography - a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectars from Purple Firespike plants on a foggy February morning
Great Backyard Bird Count Weekend!
February 17, 2023 - Today kicks off the Backyard Bird Count. Get out and see how many feathered friends hang out in your own backyard!
Another Morning of Backyard Birds
February 15, 2023 - A nasty weather morning turned out to be a perfect backyard photography morning, with warblers, hummingbirds, and buntings all posing for my camera
Zippy in Green (Hummingbird photography)
February 12, 2023 - Ruby-throated Hummingbird images from my backyard garden. My little juvie "Zippy" is quite photogenic!
Fun Poses from Zippy the Hummingbird
February 5, 2023 - Backyard images of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectaring from purple salvia flowers
Windy Afternoon in the Backyard Bird Blind
January 27, 2023 - My feathered friends braved the wind and posed for my camera - Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pine Warbler, and a very possessive Northern Cardinal!
Around the Backyard
January 20, 2023 - The backyard birds are very active right now - goldfinches, hooded mergansers, butterfly chrysalises, and hummingbird close-ups!
Winter Backyard Visitors
January 7, 2023 - Winter backyard birding - Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, Pine Warblers, and a Sharp-shinned Hawk
Merry Christmas Birdwatching!
December 26, 2022 - Testing a Blink Outdoor camera as a bird camera. It captured bird baths, bird feeder activity, and a few surprise visitors!
Adios Ian!
October 1, 2022 - Aftermath of Ian included two early migrants - Black-throated Blue Warbler and Gray Catbird
Painted Buntings are Back to Welcome Hurricane Ian
September 27, 2022 - Our first-of-fall Painted Buntings arrived a day before Hurricane Ian is projected to pass through the area
Surprise American White Pelicans
February 6, 2022 - A surprise flock of American White Pelicans visited our neighborhood pond and swam some laps with our resident Double-crested Cormorants
+1 for the Backyard Bird List!
October 30, 2021 - A Black-and-white Warbler was a first-time visitor to our backyard, increasing the cats' life list total to 65 birds!
**SIX** Bluebirds in my Backyard!!!
October 24, 2021 - Cue the squeals and the happy dance when a record total of six bluebirds visited the backyard!
First of Fall Painted Bunting in my Backyard! 2021
October 12, 2021 - My first of fall Painted Bunting showed up right on schedule at my feeder this morning! :)
Migratory Hummingbirds in the Backyard
May 7, 2021 - A Ruby-throated Hummingbird stops at my salvia bushes to nectar before continuing on her migratory travels to her breeding home
Say Goodbye to our Painted Buntings
April 25, 2021 - My last photography visit with my wintering Painted Buntings, who stocked up on grass and salvia seeds before heading north on April 15
Springtime Birding in the Backyard
April 7, 2021 - Springtime birding in the backyard yielded Painted Buntings, Indigo Buntings, Gray Catbirds, and Common Ground Doves in breeding colors
Nesting Ospreys in the Neighborhood
April 5, 2021 - A pair of Ospreys eyed a dead palm tree in my neighborhood. Repeating calling and arrangement of palm fronds are early signs of nesting!
Backyard Birding: Early January 2021
February 3, 2021 - A morning of backyard birding yielded a nectar-hungry Orange-crowned Warbler, my favorite Painted Buntings, and first-of-spring Purple Martin
Birding in the Backyard
January 11, 2021 - A morning of backyard birding and photography yielded an Orange-crowned Warbler, a beautiful pair of cardinals, and my Painted Buntings
From the Birdcam: Visitors to the Birdbath
January 3, 2021 - Photos from my backyard birdcam. Surprise visitors included Eastern Bluebirds, a Prairie Warbler, and "Bow Tie" the Yellow-throated Warbler!
Unexpected Lifer: Yellow-headed Blackbird
November 13, 2020 - My lifer Yellow-headed Blackbird showed up quite unexpectedly in my backyard after Tropical Storm Eta passed through the state.
They’re Ba-ack! First of Fall Painted Bunting!
October 15, 2020 - It’s reassuring to know that in the midst of a crazy year, the birds are right on schedule. Our first of fall Painted Bunting showed up in the backyard on October 14. :)
Backyard Birding
August 27, 2020 - A few hours of backyard birding in mid-August yielded baby cardinals, doves, and a lifer Rock Dove for our feline ornithologists!
Backyard Birding Corona-Style: Special Guest Post by Whiskey
May 10, 2020 - Spring 2020 backyard birding during coronavirus - a special guest post by our resident feline ornithologist, Whiskey!
Shirley’s Bullock’s Oriole: Rare Bird and Great Birders
January 22, 2020 - A delightful afternoon with Shirley, who shared her rare Bullock's Oriole stakeout in exchange for sightings in her bird-friendly backyard
Hanging out with my Wintering Backyard Birds
January 18, 2020 - Quiet afternoon of backyard photography with Painted Buntings, "Blondie" the Palm Warbler, and House Finches who eat goldfinch food
First of Fall Painted Bunting – 2019
October 7, 2019 - I looked out my window this morning and saw a male Painted Bunting at my feeder. It’s definitely feeling like fall!
Cardinal Nest
June 3, 2019 - Shoving furniture aside to photograph a cardinal nest is a perfectly normal activity for this nature photographer! ;-)