Spotted Sandpiper

It took patience and persistence to locate this Spotted Sandpiper on its nest.

The spots on his chest are just stunning!!

all photos © Jane Binns

House Wren & Carolina Chickadee

I am lucky enough to have 2 of my nesting boxes being put to good use this year. One is being used by House Wrens which are constantly bringing food in to their young.


The House Wrens occassionally fly directly into the nestbox with the food and other times they perch on nearby branches before entering. Sometimes they hang on the edge of the box - especially if the other adult is in the box waiting for them to exit. Space is limited!!

Another box, that is smothered in Clematis has been home for a family of Chickadees. They have no problem negotiating their way into the box with a continuous supply of food for their young.




all photos © Jane Binns

Full Moon

What an amazing sight - the full moon as it rose. The closest it has been to the earth in 18 years.

photo © Jane Binns

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

I visited Middle Creek in the hope of experiencing thousands of Snow Geese during their migration. I was not disapointed.

The fields were white with geese..

The sight and sound of them all taking off as an eagle flew in causing them to take to the skies was an amazing sight.

It was an amazing spectacle to see and a fabulous day.

all photos © Jane Binns

Spring is on the way.....

Spring is coming - I saw a large flock of Robins calling and eating berries this weekend.

photo © Jane Binns

SUNRISE

photo © Jane Binns

Purple Finch

Over the past 10 days I have been seeing Purple Finches in my backyard.

photo © Jane Binns

VISITOR

I am not the only one watching the birds at my feeders! Today, this Coopers Hawk was not only watching the birds at the feeders but was also closely watching me!

photo © Jane Binns

BACKYARD BIRDS

ALL HELP APPRECIATED WITH ID!

I think that this is a Yellow-rumped Warbler. At least, that is my best educated guess!!

I also saw this in my garden this afternoon .At first I thought it was some kind of Grosbeak?, maybe a Towhee? but the closest I can find color wise is a Dark-eyed Junco but the bill is the wrong color and the size of the bird does not fit.

What do you think?Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!!

all photos © Jane Binns

BIRTHDAY GIFT

My birthday gifts today were the beauty of nature. It was fabulous to see my first Red-breasted Nuthatch of the year at my feeders.






all photos © Jane Binns

ENGLAND in SEPTEMBER 2010 (Part 2)

I had the opportunity to photograph a lot of beautiful backyard birds.

One of my favorite birds - the Robin

Dunnock

Chiffchaff


Blue Tit

Goldfinch

House Sparrow

Magpie

Willow Warbler

all photos © Jane Binns

ENGLAND in SEPTEMBER 2010 (Part 1)

Crab apples

Corfe Castle on a breezy, overcast day.

Sloe berries

Yellow Crabapples

Brambles

Berries and fruits of all kinds were in plentiful supply.

All photos © Jane Binns

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

You never know what you may see in your backyard....what a wonderful surprise it was to see this stunning Baltimore Oriole.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at feeder.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at feeder.

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in flight.

BREEDING CHICKADEES

Carolina Chickadees are busy finding food to feed their chicks. They come in every 5 minutes to feed them caterpillars, spiders and bugs.

The adults do a swift change both bringing in food.

As they exit out of the nestbox they regularly remove fecal sacs.

At the pond the Creeping Jenny is in full bloom.

and the green frogs are wrestling.

Butterflies are everywhere including this Red Admiral.




A Painted Lady.

Red Admiral.

Red Admiral.

Cabbage whites were mating - the top butterfly kept dipping down to mate with the stationary butterfly on the flower.

The Clematis is in full bloom

A DAY OF BLISS -MAY 1st, 2010

Sharing family events with your friends are always special occasions...such was May 1st, 2010 when Melissa Renzi got married to Bob Gustafson.

This was their day of BLISS....All you need is love....

Howard Renzi walking Melissa Renzi down the isle.

Melissa and Bob

Husband and wife!

Wedding guests.

Melissa and Bob

Proud parents.

What a wonderful happy time it was.

Your family is such an important part of your life.

Wishing Melissa and Bob a lifetime of BLISS.