Missy’s Diner – 2010

December 11, 2010

FIrst Goldfinch of the season

This poor bird seemed very cold and tired as it settled on the birdbath. It stayed around for the afternoon and seemed to become more vigorous with every seed it ate. Missy hopes it warms up quickly because it may be below freezing in a couple of days.


November 22, 2010

The back yard is alive with warblers. Dozens of them flit from tree to tree and greet Mum-mum as she goes outside to feed them. This one stopped to pose with one of the last of the summer zinnias.


November 17, 2010

When the bird finished a long lunch at this feeder it went around to the side of the house and began a snack!

Missy is also enjoying the warblers as they hop around on the ground each day. It gets really exciting when they fly upwards towards her in order to catch one of the many small butterflies that are around right now.


September 20, 2010

Hummingbird

The sleeping hibiscus really do attract hummingbirds!


Baby Squirrels August 14, 2010

There are four or five baby squirrels who were squeeling as they seemed to be learning that they could jump around the branches of the oak tree next door. They also found they could catch themselves when they fell.

We were delighted to hear another blue-gray gnatcatcher out back this afternoon…it’s the third we’ve heard this month. Sadly, this one also continued along on his way after the short stop-over here.

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July 12, 2010

The weighted feeders are adjustable so that the feeding holes are open only for birds under a certain weight. The dove and woodpecker are frequent visitors and both know what has happened…and both were hungry.

"Stare Down on the weighted feeder."


June 7, 2010

The migrant birds have gone home, and bird-watching is now more aptly called “dove watching” these days. Missy is enjoying the extra time off in her new apartment.

Missy's new apartment

Squirt wants!!!


May 18, 2010

Beauty Berry blooming

The Beauty Berry bushes have begun to bloom. That’s good news for the Mockingbirds and Gray Catbirds who will dine on the purple berries in the fall.

May 17, 2010

Tree in neighbor's yard.

About an hour after this afternoon’s thunderstorm we heard a loud crack and a crashing sound outside. The tree that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker had enjoyed this winter had split, with half of it now filling our neighbor’s back yard. Providence smiled on them–the tree missed their home and, more importantly, their son was no longer playing in the backyard.

May 3, 2010

European Starlings

There were about 20 European Starlings in the vacant lot next door late this afternoon.
It was interesting to see the differences from their appearance this past fall.

It  was fun to see our Great Crested Flycatcher return this year!

It was fun to see our Great Crested Flycatcher return this year!

The Brown Thrasher was hunting seeds out in the open today...a  nice change from the way he usually hides himself.

The Brown Thrasher was hunting seeds out in the open today…a nice change from the way he usually hides himself.

White Ibis

White Ibis

Juvenile White Ibis

Juvenile White Ibis

Missy was pleased to serve niger seed to this season's first  goldfinch today (3/29/2010.)

Missy was pleased to serve niger seed to this season’s first goldfinch today (3/29/2010.)

The Downy Woodpecker as well as the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and  the Baltimore Oriole were today's featured diners.

The Downy Woodpecker as well as the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and the Baltimore Oriole were today’s featured diners.

Loggerhead Shrike

Loggerhead Shrike

Today, March 7, 2010, we were visited by a pair of Baltimore  Orioles.

Today, March 7, 2010, we were visited by a pair of Baltimore Orioles.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker doesn't want to share any of his sap  holes with the oriole.

The yellow-bellied sapsucker doesn’t want to share any of his sap holes with the oriole.

Male Baltimore Oriole visited 2/28/2010.

Male Baltimore Oriole visited 2/28/2010.

The first Cedar Waxwing of the season.

The first Cedar Waxwing of the season.

Still camera shy so another poor picture, but the oriole is still  around.

Still camera shy so another poor picture, but the oriole is still around.

Wet Baltimore Orioles aren't very photogenic....

Wet Baltimore Orioles aren’t very photogenic….

Sharp-shinned hawk - Mum-mum's near hawk experience!

Sharp-shinned hawk – Mum-mum’s near hawk experience!

Today's featured diners were the robins.

Today’s featured diners were the robins.