An Afternoon in the Bird Blind
February 3, 2018 - An afternoon in the backyard bird blind yielded Painted Buntings, a Red-bellied Woodpecker, and my dad's favorite - a Northern Cardinal
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!
A Morning in Backyard Birding Paradise
January 24, 2018 - Peaceful morning of backyard birding photography with my winter guests - the Painted Buntings!
Hoodies Back in the Neighborhood!
January 3, 2018 - The Hooded Mergansers are back in town and I photographed them on a cloudy December afternoon
Welcome Fall Birds!
October 22, 2017 - Our fall birds are returning to the backyard. Gray Catbirds, Palm Warblers, and Painted Buntings are here to stay. The American Redstarts are just passing through!
Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Lee
October 11, 2017 - Meet the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds who have made our backyard their home since the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Breaking News!
October 8, 2017 - Our winter backyard celebrities are coming back! First of fall Painted Bunting seen today :)
Summer Backyard Birding
August 17, 2017 - Summer backyard birding is fun with a visiting Ruby-throated Hummingbird and growing baby Northern Cardinals and House Finches
Somewhere Under the Rainbow, My Birds Fly
June 30, 2017 - Backyard birding update along with a beautiful rainbow photo
Great-crested Flycatcher
May 30, 2017 - Just a quick post this morning…I’m still going through photos from a very productive long weekend! On Friday I went over to my parents’ house. We heard the call of a Great-crested Flycatcher from a neighbor’s tree, so I grabbed my camera and went to investigate. He was sitting out in the open, perched nicely […]
Northern Cardinals
May 24, 2017 - My Northern Cardinals wish a very special person a very happy birthday today!
Can You Tell?
May 11, 2017 - Rich cracked me up so hard and I just have to share the joke. Recently I finished editing this image and I took the laptop to him, asking “Can you tell?” His response was priceless. “I don’t know if there was a branch, and I don’t know if there was a bird!” Such are the […]
Birds on Bird Finials
May 5, 2017 - I started to notice something funny in my backyard...all the birds like to pose on finials!
Backyard Bird Feeder Fun
April 30, 2017 - Fun photos of visitors at our backyard bird feeders - Painted Buntings galore :)
The Clownarounds (a.k.a. Mourning Doves)
April 24, 2017 - Mourning doves are the backyard birding clownarounds - they always make me laugh with their antics!
Early April in the Backyard
April 20, 2017 - Backyard birding is best in early April - Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, warblers, Painted Buntings, a juvenile dove (already!), and a hilarious Brown Thrasher photobomb!
Migrant Blue-gray Gnatcatchers
April 15, 2017 - Migrant Blue-gray Gnatcatchers passed through the backyard and posed for my camera. Their song was so different than our Floridian gnatcatchers!
House Finches Back in the Yard
April 13, 2017 - The House Finches are back in the backyard with their bright red colors and cheerful songs
First Cedar Waxwings of the Spring
April 11, 2017 - My first of spring Cedar Waxwings have shown up in the backyard, along with more beautiful Painted Buntings and American Goldfinches
Golden Morning with the Goldfinches
April 9, 2017 - Golden moments in golden light with my goldfinches!
Eastern Bluebird at Goldy’s House!
April 8, 2017 - Breaking news from Goldy's window! An Eastern Bluebird visited this morning!
Happiness is…
April 3, 2017 - Happiness is… …watching the American Goldfinches turn yellow and play in your flowers :) … seeing the female Indigo Bunting from last weekend – she stuck around! … finally snapping a picture of the elusive Prairie Warbler who has been mocking you for the past three mornings, and as a bonus, getting to hear him sing! […]
Welcome, Migrant Hummingbirds!
April 1, 2017 - Photos of a migrant hummingbird nectaring on coral honeysuckle. A beautiful Ruby-throated Hummingbird with a gorgeous red throat!
Backyard Birding Bonanza
March 28, 2017 - Backyard birding paradise - Painted Buntings and goldfinches! I filled my memory card and exhausted my camera battery. Bonus Indigot Bunting!
Springtime Morning of Backyard Birding
March 21, 2017 - Recently I spent a weekend morning in my backyard – rather unusual for me, since mornings are usually when I venture beyond the backyard. It was fun to see my yard in morning light. This is the time of year that I love backyard birding the best. Flowers are blooming, the air is fresh and […]
He Who Laughs Last Gets the Most Mealworms!
March 19, 2017 - The joke was on me when I tried to con a bird into perching on pretty flower stalks
Finally! A Few Lesser Scaups in the Neighborhood
March 12, 2017 - Lesser Scaups didn't winter in Winter Garden this year, but a few showed up on their spring migration north
There’s No Place Like Home
March 4, 2017 - I had an especially good morning birding in my backyard last weekend. Painted Buntings, yellow goldfinches, and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in breeding colors!
Goldy’s Backyard Bird Count
February 24, 2017 - Goldy and I participated in last weekend's Great Backyard Bird Count. Our yard yielded Painted Buntings, American Robins, and Goldy's finches
The Backyard Spoilsport
February 5, 2017 - Meet my backyard spoilsport, also known as a Cooper's Hawk!
Backyard Birding on a Gray, Nasty Day
February 3, 2017 - American Goldfinches brighten up even the nastiest gray morning of backyard birding
Potato Chips and Millet…
November 15, 2016 - We heard our first-of-fall American Goldfinch, and more Painted Buntings showed up in the backyard
Meet My Hummingbird!
November 9, 2016 - Our visiting hummingbird let me photograph him up close one evening
Lawn Service
October 27, 2016 - The other night I snuck into my blind for a few minutes after I mowed the grass. The little Palm Warblers were quick to hop out and enjoy the bugs that I stirred up with my mower. I think they enlisted themselves to help with the yard service… The mockingbird knows that I’ve been wanting […]
Welcome Back, Winter Birds!
October 9, 2016 - We welcomed back friends as our winter birds return to the yard. Recent arrivals include Gray Catbirds, House Wrens, Painted Buntings, and Palm Warblers.
Hurricane Matthew Update
October 8, 2016 - We were very fortunate that Hurricane Matthew stayed offshore. We got 4 inches of rain and a long, boring day of wind. The cats thought it was great because we brought all the patio furniture inside, giving them ample new places to hide. Gosh they look small out on the empty porch… The doves didn’t understand […]
First of Fall Painted Bunting!
October 1, 2016 - October 1 tends to be a good day in our backyard. Often it’s the first day that we start seeing our winter Palm Warblers. (I’ve been hearing warblers overhead for several weeks, but I’ve yet to see one.) Sometimes October 1 brings cooler weather. (Haha, not this year.) Sometimes we even see a hummingbird. This year, October 1 […]
Summertime Birds in the Backyard
August 28, 2016 - Summertime birds have been more active than usual this summer. Lots of birds coming in to feast at the feeders!
Greenie Bath Time
April 30, 2016 - Painted bunting greenie bath time: lots of splashing in the dripping water proved enjoyable for both birds and the photographer! :)
Colorful Backyard Fun
April 20, 2016 - So many colorful birds are visiting the feeders and birdbath these days! I love springtime!
Orchard Oriole in the Backyard
April 17, 2016 - A migrant Orchard Oriole made a surprise stopover in my backyard. He was a big fan of my hummingbird plants.
More Painted Buntings from the Backyard
March 20, 2016 - More Painted Bunting images from my backyard bird blind, including a video of their Purple Firespike snack time!
Backyard Birding from my Blind
February 21, 2016 - I have to make a confession. I bribed some birds today. I had a few free hours (gasp!) and I decided to do some backyard birding. I confess to waiting to refill the bird feeders until it was prime photography time – after the household chores were done, the camera was outside, and the light was […]
First of Fall American Goldfinch!
November 15, 2015 - My 2015 First of Fall American Goldfinch showed up a bit unexpectedly on November 15. A warm welcome to one of my favorite birds!
First of Fall Painted Bunting
October 3, 2015 - I spotted my first male Painted Bunting in the backyard this morning! Let the fall birding begin! He’s about two weeks ahead of schedule. Last year I saw my first bunting on October 12, and the year before that on October 11. But this year he’s right in time for my grandfather’s 90th birthday. :) […]
Tiny Cardinal Fledgling
July 22, 2015 - I found a tiny cardinal fledgling in our backyard in one of my bushes. He let me take a video of him as he fussed for food!
Hummingbirds in my Own Backyard!
May 6, 2015 - We had two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds visit the yard in late April. They nectared on my salvia and didn't seem to mind my camera clicks
Painted Bunting Feeder Fun
January 16, 2015 - We've had more Painted Buntings at our feeders in the past week or so. They're also fun to photograph!