Migrants and Residents
Published by Christy under on 9:19 AM
The past week has brought with it some new migrants, namely Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks. Two males have been visiting the feeders on a pretty regular basis. These birds don't breed below 3000 ft I'm told, so I am assumming these fellows are first year males looking for some good and easy eats. 
Notice the heavy beak, much thicker and larger than other 'finch types'. These guys are related to cardinals. 
On Sunday I was awakened by what sounded like a really loud cat. I halfway thought it was a grey catbird, but I've never seen or heard one around here before so I just dismissed it as a real cat. Later in the day my earlier thoughts were confirmed when I actually saw the catbird hopping around in the 'grape garden'. He/she has been visible everyday this week and quite tolerant of me and my camera as well, I wish I could say the same for the lighting. This bird is grey with a bit of charcoal black on it's head, and oddly enough rusty undertail feathers. I hope you're able to see that in these shots.
A brown thrasher ventured out from it's scrubby home yesterday to mill around in the yard a bit. It's quite unusual to see one out this far in the open, they're usually fairly secretive birds that stick close to brushy growth- in my experience anyway. Interestingly enough, both the catbird and the brown thrasher belong to the same family as the northern mockingbird, another resident here.
In my afternoon walk yesterday, I was treated to several different types of dragons and I finally got off a few shots of the swamp darner that has been eluding me. The common whitetails have also showed up. I haven't seen any mature males but there are plenty of females and juvenilles. The setwings, baskettails, and others are flying strong too.
The transition from spring to summer is beginning here in the south. The nights still get a little cool but our days are peaking in the high 70's and lower 80's now. Soon the humidity will arive and the dog days of summer with it. Here are some images that reflect this 'in between' season:
Bearded Irises 
Lady Bugs and Butterflies 
Tent Caterpillars 
Baby Peaches 
Notice the heavy beak, much thicker and larger than other 'finch types'. These guys are related to cardinals. 
On Sunday I was awakened by what sounded like a really loud cat. I halfway thought it was a grey catbird, but I've never seen or heard one around here before so I just dismissed it as a real cat. Later in the day my earlier thoughts were confirmed when I actually saw the catbird hopping around in the 'grape garden'. He/she has been visible everyday this week and quite tolerant of me and my camera as well, I wish I could say the same for the lighting. This bird is grey with a bit of charcoal black on it's head, and oddly enough rusty undertail feathers. I hope you're able to see that in these shots.
A brown thrasher ventured out from it's scrubby home yesterday to mill around in the yard a bit. It's quite unusual to see one out this far in the open, they're usually fairly secretive birds that stick close to brushy growth- in my experience anyway. Interestingly enough, both the catbird and the brown thrasher belong to the same family as the northern mockingbird, another resident here.
In my afternoon walk yesterday, I was treated to several different types of dragons and I finally got off a few shots of the swamp darner that has been eluding me. The common whitetails have also showed up. I haven't seen any mature males but there are plenty of females and juvenilles. The setwings, baskettails, and others are flying strong too.
The transition from spring to summer is beginning here in the south. The nights still get a little cool but our days are peaking in the high 70's and lower 80's now. Soon the humidity will arive and the dog days of summer with it. Here are some images that reflect this 'in between' season: 
2 comments:
Did I ever tell you I love the name of your blog -Muddy Sneakers! So cool! so many beautiful pictures today. The male Grosbeak is certainly a beauty! Love him! The catbird is one of my favorites too. He just returned to my yard also. You are soo good at getting the dragonflies, the blue one is stunning. And, your iris and swallowtail is so pretty. I even liked your baby peach! Great Post!
Hi Christy...I found your blog through Windows on Nature. Your shots are wonderful. Your close ups of the dragonfly are so detailed. The catbird is so beautifully posed in the tree.
Great shots!!
Post a Comment