Smitten

25-30 years ago I spied my first Indigo Bunting. Since then, I watch for them every Spring. We are sometimes fortunate enough to have them as visitors to the feeder. This year, we’re really blessed by this guy who’s a daily guest here. He’s become a little obsession of mine.. lol.

Ground feeding near a Rose-breasted Grosbeak (another of my favorites, although I DO hate to play favorites).

Cowbirds – for some reason I find them funny!

A pair of our beloved Purple Martin guests.

White-Crowned Sparrow (I think?)

I’m also smitten with the Bluebells in my Mother’s perennial garden. They do grow in the wild in Missouri as well. {We were visiting for her birthday weekend.. Happy Birthday, Mom!}

A video of some of today’s birds, including the Indigo Bunting (don’t blink or you’ll miss him in the beginning).

Have a lovely week, Friends!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday: Check out Wild Bird Wednesday for beautiful wild birds around the world!

Random Photo Friday

Happy Friday! Has Spring arrived for you yet? We actually had a light snow earlier this week, and freezing temps again. Today it’s April Showers, but we’re expecting a warmer and mostly sunshiny weekend. Yay!

I’ve meant to blog about this beloved tree for a very long time. This very old oak resides near the fence on the back side of our farm. Last year our neighbors upgraded – took out the old fence row, put in brand new. There was one stipulation: save this tree! I so hope it continues to thrive. Before it was pruned, it had many large branches that dipped to the ground.
 

I miss the other trees that were sacrificed, but the positives are – new fence (!), and we have a better view of some things across the way. For example…

The old “Gaines Place” barn ---- (I fancied it up w/ some textures).

And this barn across from the Gaines barn…the superzoom created a nice painterly quality straight out of camera. Accidental art?

You know that I can’t go too long without some bird-blogging, right?

Is this a Chipping Sparrow?

Yes, Dude, we know.. time to mow the lawn again already <sigh>

Show Me some Blue! Love our state bird, and so grateful to my dear dad who keeps us well supplied with bluebird boxes. Thanks, Dad!

Finally, a Purple Martin telling a Sparrow to “Get Out!”

Have a great weekend, Friends!

Hee Haw.. Spring has Sprung!

My only regret on this little video is I missed those hearty brays at the beginning of the “rodeo!” Next time, little donkeys, next time…

We are having Spring storms in Missouri today. This was filmed a couple days ago.

Happy Spring!

You might say he’s an odd duck

At least, around our neck of the woods! But wow, isn’t he a beauty? This is a male Hooded Merganser I spied on our pond a few days ago. Thanks goes to my sister, the science teacher, who has educated me on some odd duck visitors we’ve had lately. She recommends PBS’ DUCKumentary to examine these fascinating feathered friends (good news – click the link to watch the full program online). Going to watch it soon! (And I just now noticed the video is limited to US and territories..).

Here’s the Hooded Merganser, without the “big hair” pose.

Again, but with the “big hair.” Definitely makes a statement, don’t you think?

I also saw our first Purple Martin yesterday. He was really singing to attract some purple girls!

Picture quality on all of the above is not the best. I somehow managed to change a setting by accident. I’m talented that way! It seems Spring has truly arrived here, and she is the most welcome visitor of all.

Hope you’re having a great week!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday: Check out Wild Bird Wednesday for beautiful wild birds around the world!