Most of us living in the lower 48 states are still in the midst of migration. Here in central Illinois, most of the birds who spend the spring and summer with us have left for their winter homes. One of the exceptions is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Although most hummingbirds are gone, we still have a […]
Cleon will tell you that I am one of those people who just cannot leave well enough alone. And he would be right. It always seems to me that with just a bit of reorganization, something would be so much better! And so once again, I have shuffled things around, reorganized a bit, and added. […]
Once again, this is why I should never leave my easy chair in front of our windows. Cleon was looking out over the lake when he spotted a large dark silhouette in our neighbor’s large oak tree. Of course, the bird was on the far side of the tree, so we were looking at it […]
I was not quick enough to get a photo – probably because I was rooted to the spot. But a few minutes ago, I was looking out the window at the bird feeders and a Blue Jay was drinking, then taking a bath in the larger bird bath. When all of a sudden, a bird […]
Thanks to all of you who have been sending me photos and videos. I love looking at all of them. Here are a few: This first photo is from Janelle in Alaska. It is a Ptarmigan, but as I have never been to Alaska (ALAS!!!!!!), I am only guessing when I say it is a […]
Journaling. There is a big push for journaling these days. Classes are being offered just about everywhere. Everything from scrapbooking to having a beautifully bound notebook in which to write. But as most of you know – journaling is not new at all. Ever since people invented materials to write on and with, they have […]
I think they are Cackling Geese and not Canada Geese, but I am not positive. According to allaboutbirds.org, Cackling Geese do migrate through Illinois, but they are ‘Scarce’. National Audubon maps are in agreement that these geese migrate through Illinois, but uses the word ‘Uncommon’. For the past about 5 years, I believe we have […]
In an earlier blog, I told you that our Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers are gone – they have begun their migration. We now have Gray Catbirds again – here in our yard. One was ‘meowing’ at me yesterday from a thick tangle of vines near the shore of our small lake. But […]
I have finally found a good place for the hummingbird feeder where you can watch. It is close to the large bird bath so click on the livestream bird bath cam to watch. Unfortunately, we have only seen 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in our yard this year. And only 1 seems to be coming to this […]
Normally from mid-July until mid-September, there is not as much going on in our yard as in the previous spring and summer months, but this year is an exception. We continue to have a good number of birds at the feeders and bird baths. I am not sure how many House Finch families we had […]