Yesterday, I drove down one of my favorite back roads and saw a Pied-billed Grebe again. The sun was out and he was closer to the road, so got a much better shot this time.
He posed for a while, but then took a dive and came up all wet and in the weeds.
I've had my hummingbird feeders out for about a month, with no takers. Then this Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up. He sits on the fence near the feeder for longer than I have ever seen a hummingbird sit still. I'm pretty sure he is guarding his treasure. I watched him a long time, but didn't see any others. And then yesterday I saw two. Sadly, this guy chased the other one off before I could get a pic.
He flew up and landed on one of the wagon wheels attached to the deck while I was reading. He was about 6 feet away. I was afraid to reach for my camera, so I watched him as he watched me. He finally flew away and then came back to hover about 3 feet from me. I guess he was checking out the food lady. I think he was thanking me for supplying homemade nectar instead of that store bought red stuff.
He doesn't like Gus, our dog, to get close though. He was happy to show his displeasure by displaying his red feathers.
Another Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Every time I see one, I can't resist stopping to try for a better picture. They are beautiful birds.
The Great Egrets are plentiful these days. I see them almost every time I go out for a back road ramble.
At this pond there were two.
Yesterday it was near 80 degrees. Today 40s and rain. Guess I will be staying inside most of today.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday
This was a productive week on my back road rambles.
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are the state bird of Oklahoma. Love their long tails. I have been trying to get a decent shot, but this is the best I've been able to do so far. I actually saw one perched on a weed about 100 yards from our porch, but by the time I got my camera it was gone. I'm hopeful they are nesting nearby.
Northern Bobwhites are common where I'm from in Illinois, but my bird app says they are uncommon here. However, the National Geographic Birds of North America indicate they are here year round. I saw 4 or 5 of these cross the road in front of me and hide in the underbrush. Hopefully I will see them again and get a better shot.
Green Heron. I have been hoping for a green heron sighting and finally I saw one. As I drove by the heron pond, a large bird flew over the truck and landed on the other side of the pond. It was this guy.
Pied-billed Grebe. On a ramble down a new road, I found an area with large ponds on both sides of the road. I saw a Great Egret on one side, but it flew before I could get a shot, I also saw what I believe were Northern Shovelers. They were too far away for anything but a blurry shot. So, I turned my attention to the pond on the other side. I didn't see anything at first, but then spied this Pied-billed Gebe watching me from behind some water plants. He would dive under the water and then come back up in another area.
Upland Sandpipers. I first saw them on April 3rd. Yesterday I took this pic. They are still here, entertaining me out the kitchen window. I hope they stay a little longer.
Help please: This little guy was swimming all alone in a pond. Of course he was way over on the far side, so no chance of a decent shot. Still, I think this might be a Black-bellied Whistling Duck. Anyone have a guess?
Linking to The Bird D-Pot
