Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Sampling Backyard Activity

Birding is fun! - especially when I can just sit in the backyard on a sultry summer day and watch the activity with my feet up, and a cold drink nearby. Here is just a tiny sampling of the birdwatching that comes to me.

The five pairs of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks stayed in the neighborhood and brought their young around when they fledged.

Fledgling Rose-breasted Grosbeak begs (with remarkable politeness) for food.
The resident male Ruby-throated Hummingbird is still patrolling his domain, but his efforts to protect proprietary rights to the feeder and flowers is increasingly difficult. Females and juveniles constantly intrude. He'll soon give up and head south ...

Ruby-throated Hummingbird guarding his domain.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (probable juvenile)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (juvenile)
Many sunflower seeds "freelanced" in the garden, to the delight of the resident American Goldfinches ...

American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Life has quickly returned to the Rock River behind our home, after being rerouted and scoured by Irene last August. Spotted Sandpipers nested along the river, and the young are now feeding ...
Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Good Birding!!

Posted by Chris Petrak, Tails of Birding

6 comments:

  1. Great looking photos Chris! You are lucky that you are able to watch all these wonderful birds from the comfort of your own backyard.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice pics, Chris. I didn't know Spotted Sandpipers are actually nesting on the Rock River!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How wonderful to be able to see all these birds in your backyard!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful post and photos Chris.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So many beautiful backyard birds! Great photographs! Juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are especially busy at our feeders right now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. lovely images and the spotted sandpiper hopping across, quite the moment you captured

    ReplyDelete