Butterfly and Wildlife Gardening And Photography In Houston Texas
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Category Archives: Camera Bodies My yearly ritual with the pair of Eastern Bluebirds continues. When I get home in the evening, I give them some fresh mealworms. Whereas last year I had 2 nests in the yard, this year I assumed they were not nesting in the yard because they get their mealworms, then fly a couple of streets…  Normally during this time of year the Goldfinches have moved on from my backyard, but not this year. Not only do I finally get to see them in their beautiful yellow plumage, but I frequently see them drinking out of my disappearing bird stream.  The Monarch Butterflies have all left Mexico and sightings across Texas are becoming common. It may sound like the “same ol” “same ol” but it’s not. In my yard I have seen perhaps only 3 Monarch Butterflies. Journey North and other Monarch Butterfly watchers reported that the population of Butterflies in Mexico this year was…  Took a couple of pictures of the male and female Eastern Bluebird as they came down to feed on mealworms. The male traditionally eats first, but leaves plenty for the female Finally I took a walk around the yard to see what else I could find. I was surprised that I have about 10…  I’ve got lots of news to share (especially since it’s been so long since I have posted), but only 1 picture. Let me start with what all is occurring in the backyard. The Monarch Butterflies have arrived, but unfortunately I’ve only seen 1-2. The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds just arrived today (March 19). There is one…  Houston, we have a problem. The Eastern Bluebirds have begun building a nest. The problem is that they are building it in a house not meant for Bluebirds. Should I remove this house before they complete the nest, or just let them continue to build? Notice the house below. That’s where it appears they are…  Cedar Waxwings are everywhere! I even witnessed the Cedar Waxwings chasing the Purple Martins, which I have never seen before. I’ve got two pictures to share. One is a pair of Cedar Waxwings in my Maple tree. One is facing the towards the front, the other facing towards the back. These birds have some amazing…  I struggled to figure out what bird this is, but I’m hoping it’s a Pine Warbler (if that’s not what it is, please let me know). So anyway, this cute little thing first was feeding on some suet, then switched over to the bird feeder.  I’m not sure who is more trained, the pair of Eastern Bluebirds or me. Who am I kidding? I’m the one who is trained! Either I hear their calls early in the morning or early evening, or they flat out fly over to where I feed them mealworms and just stare at me. Speaking of…  I’ve seen this Hawk over the last few days, either flying overhead, or perching in the trees behind my house. If I am not mistaken, it’s a Red Shouldered Hawk. It looks like a full grown adult to me. I really love Hawks, at least from a distance. I don’t like them praying on my…  This post isn’t about butterflies nor wildlife, but I couldn’t resist posting a few new photos of Maggie, my 11 year old Golden Retriever. The thing about Golden Retrievers is that they seem to prematurely age in their facial hair. Maggie has been no different. When she was younger she was a much darker color,…  Don’t tell the songbirds that it’s still Winter, because with these near 80 degree temperatures we’ve been having they are beginning to think it is Spring. Of all the songbirds I have in my yard, the Cardinal is the most abundant. The male Cardinals are beginning to look really colorful in their bright red feathers…  2011 was such a devastating year for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly, at least in my backyard. The drought was so bad I think it affected many Butterflies, but in terms of normal abundance, this species was hit pretty hard. Fast forward to 2012, and now January 2013 and these Butterflies have really made a comeback. …  I love these little birds and wish they were around longer than a few months of Winter. I don’t know how to really articulate the song they make but it’s such a pleasant sound early in the morning. It also makes great background music when I am enjoying my morning white chocolate latte:-).  A variety of birds were in or around the backyard today. Of course the Bluebird parents came by for their mealworms, American Goldfinches, House Finches, a Red Tailed Hawk, a Red Shouldered Hawk, a juvenile Bald Eagle (I’ve got a picture to prove it, but it’s so high in the air it’s not worth posting),… |
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