A Summer Bird #2

A pink rhododendron began to bloom here.

Another summer bird stopped over.

"Hi, I am a male Brown-headed Cowbird."

A little after the male visit, a female also came to eat at a feeder."

"I remember I came here last summer."

Spring Visitor

Last week's unseasonal summer temperatures left for a while and the spring rain returned this week.  I wondered if most of the migrant birds may have avoided this area due to the sudden hot temperature and continued to go further north.  

But some migrant birds showed up here this week.  I saw one White-crowned Sparrow in the backyard. 

"I was here last fall during my migration.  I like the seeds around here."

"I like the morning sun."

Amongst the Wisteria Blossoms

Next three days, it will be hot like summer.  In the backyard, the wisteria is in full bloom, attracting many living things.

Honey Bee:  "I like the sweet taste."

Purple Finch, female:  "I just like to hang around for a visit."

Anna's Hummingbird:  "Nothing better than fresh sweet juice!"

Nest Building Time

Last few days have been warm and birds are busy somewhere else.   With the above normal temperature, the honeysuckle began to bloom in the backyard.

A female Anna's Hummingbird showed up here to get spider's webs for her nest building.  Right on the neighbor's hedge, there are many webs shining in the morning sun.

"I have to get these spider webs.  The nest made

 of the web expands as my babies grow.  Here it is."

It's not just a hummingbird who is getting ready for rearing the next generation.  I saw a couple of Bushtits collecting the cotton that I scattered for their nest building needs.

"I need to use this fluffy thing for my nest building."

A Safe Escape

After a week of cold spring days, yesterday was a summer day with the blue sky and warm temperature.   The dwarf apple tree I planted last year began to bloom.

 With the warm weather, winter birds such as Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets returned to the woods.   Instead, a butterfly showed up and rested on the rose leaf.

In the warm sun, I sat on a garden stool, looking up at the sky.  Suddenly I saw a big bird appeared out of nowhere and glided toward me.  It took a few seconds to focus my camera.  Meantime the Red-tailed Hawk saw me and began to make a quick U-turn for a safe escape.

"I am going back for safety!"