Fresh out and drying off! Photo by Louise Peacock

Some Birds and Butterflies

In our Garden

This year I dutifully filled the Hummingbird feeder in early April and hung it in an accessible location.

Not a single Hummingbird has been seen near the feeder (refreshed weekly). However, I noticed that it was getting attention from several Woodpeckers. They had apparently found out that the Ants were helping themselves to the nectar, and decided that sugar filled Ants would be a great snack.

We saw this activity on several mornings. One morning I got lucky and snuck outside with the point and shoot, and got this surprising photo.

Woodpecker with beak inserted directly into feeder! Photo by Louise Peacock

So evidently at least one Woodpecker decided to go directly to the source.

Finally, we did actually spot a Hummingbird not far away from the feeder, but that was the last view we got.

This year has been a bumper year for Robins making nests in and around our garden. They have made successful nests in three of our backyard trees, several cedar bushes, as well as one in the eave under our roof. they have re-used the nests at least three times this season, producing lots of young ones.

Left, Baby Robin waits for the return of a parent with food. Right, Robin perches on limb below nest waiting to take food to young. Photo by Louise Peacock

The Robins love our headed birdbath and here is one having a bath in March Photo by Louise Peacock

Our heated birdbath is a meeting place for tons of different birds — we get Cardinals, American Goldfinch, Flickers, Juncoes, Sparrows, Housefinch, Blackbirds, the occasional Blue Jay and once, a small hawk. We do not get to photograph many of these — they are fast and untrusting!

A group of Flickers came down to collect worms, since other bugs were scarce, while there, one of them took a drink, and another took a bath. Photo by Louise Peacock

This male Cardinal was in the Cedar hedge checking out suitable nest locations. He was not pleased at the camera. Photo by Louise Peacock

A young red-tailed Hawk which hung about our area for months, evidently searching for a pal. Photo by Louise Peacock

One of many Juncoes that visits in Winter and early Spring. Photo by Louise Peacock

Several Doves like to come and perch on the birdbath, enjoying the slight warmth. Here is one of them. Photo by Louise Peacock

Butterflies soar through the garden all Spring and Summer. the last few years I have noticed there are fewer, but we still get our share.

An Admiral enjoys nectar from a Purple Cone Flower. Photo by Louise Peacock

An Admiral dries his wings atop of a Shasta Daisy. Photo by Louise Peacock

A freshly minted Black Swallowtail enjoys the morning sun. Photo by Louise Peacock

Swallowtail on pink Phlox. Photo by Louise Peacock

Yellow Swallowtail on a Shasta Daisy. Photo by Louise Peacock

A brand new Monarch enjoys the nectar from a Buddleia flower (Butterfly Bush). they also love the Purple Cone Flowers. Photo by Louise Peacock

Monarch on a Rudebeckia. Photo by Louise Peacock