In Our Garden

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD ENJOYING A QUIET MOMENT TO DRINK AND PERHAPS TO BATHE AT ONE OF THE BUBBLERS BY OUR POND.
THE NECTAR AND COLOR OF THE PURPLE BUTTERFLY BUSH BLOSSOM DRAWS THIS RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD TO A SWEET SNACK.
RUFUOS HUMMINGBIRD IN REFLECTED LIGHT
HUMMINGBIRD IN PASTELS
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD AT HONEYSUCKLE
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD DRAWING NECTAR FROM HONEYSUCKLE
HUMMINGBIRD ON NASTURTIUM
THE FOUR PARTS OF THE WATER CLOVER LEAF MEASURE JUST A BIT MORE THAN A SQUARE INCH - SO YOU CAN SEE THAT THE PACIFIC TREE FROG IS A TINY TREASURE, INDEED!
PACIFIC TREE FROG, A LITTLE GEM
A PERSISTENT HONEYSUCKLE We tried for four years, in the mistaken belief that it was an invasive plant, to destroy it, but fortunately it finally showed its colors, and IT LIVES!
JUST A LONELY LITTLE PURPLE PETUNIA
AN ADULT MALE PILEATED WOODPECKER AND A JUVENILE STOP BY FOR A SUET TREAT ON OUR RED CEDAR TREE.
PILEATED WOODPECKER AND LILACS
HOW DOES A PARENT FEED A YOUNG PILEATED WOODPECKER? VERY CAREFULLY!
BEST NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT - JUST DO IT! A MALE PILEATED WOODPECKER AND ITS MALE FLEDGLING, WHOSE CROWN HASN'T YET ACQUIRED THE BRILLIANT RED COLOR OF MATURITY.
HOW DOES A PILEATED WOODPECKER FEED ITS YOUNG? IT REALLY JUST GETS INTO . . . THE JOB!
PILEATED WOODPECKERS FREQUENT OUR GARDENS OFTEN, THIS ONE WITH TWO FLEDGLINGS ON THE CEDAR TREE OUT FRONT
PAIR OF PILEATED WOODPECKERS
BATHING BEAUTY SERIES: PINE SISKIN AND WATER HAWTHORN IN OUR POND
A PINE SISKIN IN THE IVY ON OUR FENCE, HUDDLING TO KEEP WARM ON A COLD MORNING
A PINE SISKIN CAME INTO OUR FROZEN POND FOR A COLD DRINK.
RARELY STILL AND QUIET, A PINE SISKIN RESTING A MOMENT IN OUR SERVICEBERRY TREE
PINE SISKIN POSING
A VERY HUNGRY YOUNG PINE SISKIN BEGGING FROM PARENT
PALE PINK LILY
BLOSSOMING RHODODENDRON
A BLOSSOM FROM ONE OF ROBERT'S DAHLIAS THAT SEEMS TO BE LIGHTED FROM INSIDE THE FLOWER
MARSH MARIGOLDS AND WATER HAWTHORN IN OUR POND
MALLARD PAIR VISITING OUR POND THIS SPRING
BLOSSOMS OF THE UNASSUMING POTENTILLA
PRIMROSE
PURPLE FINCH FEMALE EATING SERVICEBERRIES
HOW CUTE IS THAT LITTLE FINCH BEGGING FROM ITS MALE PURPLE FINCH PARENT!
PURPLE FINCH WITH TWO OF ITS FLEDGLINGS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE PARENT SHOWS SIGNS OF DISEASE ON ITS BILL AND LEFT EYE.
A HANDSOME PURPLE FINCH
YOUNG RACCOON IN A CEDAR TREE OVERLOOKING OUR GARDENS
RARE BRAMBLING (FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA ) SIGHTING IN OUR GARDEN (12/24/2012)The bird is a Brambling, found from Western Siberia, across Europe and in Asia, and is rarely sighted on this continent. The sighting has been confirmed by Cornell Institute of Ornithology Wow!! That is indeed a Brambling. What a wonderful find! That is a rare bird at any location in North America. We'll certainly feature your bird on the FeederWatch web site. You may also want to get in touch with some local birders, if you have not already, because many people would be interested in a chance to see the bird. Thanks for sharing your report with us, and happy holidays! Best regards, David Bonter
ROBERT'S REALLY, REALLY RED DAHLIA
GOLDFINCH AND PINE SISKINS AT RED BARN FEEDER
RED CROSSBILL WITH A DAMAGED UPPER BILL. This crossbill came to our pond for water yesterday. It was with a darker bird that we were unable to identify. We will keep a watch out for them again . . .
THE CEDAR WAXWINGS, THE FINCHES AND THE CHICKADEES ALL ENJOYED OUR RED CURRANTS THIS YEAR, SOME PERHAPS FOR THE FRUIT FLIES AS MUCH AS FOR THE BERRIES THEMSELVES . . .
A GYPSY BEAUTY SORT OF A DAHLIA, ISN'T IT?
A WORK IN PROGRESS? THE DAHLIA SEEMS STILL TO BE IN THE FORMING STAGE
DOUGLAS' SQUIRREL MUNCHIN' LUNCHEON
DOUGLAS' SQUIRRELS
A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH CAN CLIMB DOWN A TREE TRUNK QUITE EASILY ASSISTED BY THOSE LONG, STRONG TOES.
A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH DAMP AFTER A BATH AT THE POND
A LITTLE RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, RECENTLY FLEDGED, CAME IN FOR WATER AND A DIP THIS MORNING