For the last few weeks,
Blue Jays have been "uncharacteristically" quiet as they come to the feeders, gather seeds, and leave. They have been nest building, incubating, and feeding nestlings. They are intelligent corvids, and they know not to draw attention to themselves during this vulnerable time. I have been waiting for the jolly raucousness to return, along with fledglings demanding to be fed. That happened this morning, as young swarmed through the trees, begging loudly and and chasing after parents when they did not get their way immediately ...
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| Fledgling Blue Jay begs for food |
The first fledgling
Evening Grosbeak was fed in our backyard on June 9 ...
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| Evening Grosbeak - juvenile |
... since that day, the young have been brought around for food and self-feeding instruction on a regular basis ...
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| "Hey Dad, is this where I get the food?" |
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Additional members of the Next Generation which we have helped to raise include ...
Downy Woodpecker ...
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| Mrs. Downy (the frazzled one in the back) feeds her daughter |
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| Mr. Downy feeds his son |
Hairy Woodpecker ...
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| Hairy Woodpecker - juvenile male |
Red-bellied Woodpecker ...
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| A "shy" Red-bellied Woodpecker - he/she would not look at the camera |
Common Grackle ...
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| Fledgling Common Grackle - one of many! |
... and finally ... the
Cedar Waxwings are getting down to the business of the season. This pair copulated on the branch while I went for my camera. When I finally focused on them, they had happy smiles, then flew off.
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| Cedar Waxwings |
Good birding!!
4 comments:
Great shots Chris! It looks like you've got a regular nursery here, jam-packed with color!
Pretty cool that you've got the ABA 'Bird of the Year' nesting in your yard!
You've got some really good shots of these babies. Love the downy feeding the little one.
Nice post! Good way to find birds this time of the year is ear-birding, i.e. listen to the offspring peep, twitter and beg.
Nice post Chris and if I do love the woodpecker sequence, Iðm terribly jealous about your nice cedar shot ;-)
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