What is going on in our yard…… and the geese are back!
There is not a lot going on at our livestream camera right now – especially between the hours of 10AM and 3:30PM. However, in early mornings and late afternoons, there are birds eating and taking baths. Also loafing – doves are great loafers. But there is lots going on in our yard.
First of all, the Canada Geese are back. I have no idea where they have been since late last winter, but they are back and in their usual number which is anywhere from about 20-50. They are not here all day, but they are here off and on each and every day. If you have your volume turned up and are watching the livestream, you will hear them and sometimes you can see them flying low over the water.
Our next door neighbor – across our small inlet – has The Goose Spa and Salon. For some reason, the geese congregate in their back yard and just off their shore every afternoon to bathe, preen, and socialize. There are not as many as there have been in the years we have lived here, but now that the geese are back, we see about 20-30 every afternoon. And there are generally a few Mallards with them – right now we are counting 5-8.
And isn’t this a little cutie – right on our deck railing. This is a Northern Cardinal and we think not long out of the nest. In our area – and in most of this bird’s nesting range – cardinals can have two nests during the nesting season. We think this is a youngster from the second – later – nest. It is hard to tell if it will be a male or a female, but our best guess is female. But that is only a guess. We say that because there is just no trace of red anywhere on this bird and we think that even though it is young, if it were male, there would be some scattered red tints and possibly a black feather or two starting around the beak.
This bird will probably stay in our yard and neighborhood this winter. Youngsters from the first nest are farther along in development – closer to being adults. These older youngsters often wander this time of year. And they can wander in any direction. They will settle down where they feel comfortable, there is food and water, and a degree of safety in terms of secluded perches and roosts, and there they will stay for the winter – and most likely the rest of their lives. But youngsters from the second nest probably do not wander their first fall. These birds also may not nest next year but will wait a year. If they wait, they probably also will wander before settling down into a permanent territory where they will live out their lives.
And then at night ……….
Raccoon and Not a Friend
I wonder if there is a genetic link between possums and cats?????? Maybe waaaaay back, a shared ancestor or two?????? Behavior is always so interesting. It does connect all of us.