Blue Birds

Bluebirds have appeared at our bird feeder a number of times, but each time that they come it is a big treat for us. I was able to get some nice clear pictures of them this time!

Ant Lions

These holes started to show up around our patio. This a.m. I was surprised to see how many there were. I was curious to know what was causing them. My daughter, Tami, thought they were traps created by spiders. So we did some research. What we found out are the holes are made by an insect larva which turns into a bug that looks like a dragonfly. Our grandson, Nathan, found this one in one of the holes. They are not beautiful, but they do trap and kill spiders and other insects when they fall into these holes.

Easter Lilies

These sure look like Easter Lilies! I took these pictures at 10:00 a.m. I am not sure why it turned so dark around them, but I think the effect is really nice.

A Different Visitor Today

Our neighbor Vern yelled over to me this noon and said bring the camera. When I got down part way to the road this animal was in the middle of our yard. I tried to get pictures then but it did not want to stand still. It ran across the road to the neighbor there but could not get a picture and my camera battery went dead. It did come back across to our place and started up towards the house but did not make it then. Not long after it was up by the tree in the front of our house eating sunflower seeds I had put out for the birds and squirrels. I tried to get good pictures then and Nila gave me a slice of bread to give to him so I threw it out towards to him and then backed off and he came closer and ate it. I had some bird feed containing corn, peanuts, and sunflower seeds so put some out by the tree and he loved that. I thought he would like a drink of water so got Brandy’s food dish and filled it letting him see and hear it running in to it. He did not come for it so I put it close to the tree and put the corn etc around it and he was scared of it. He got about a foot from it and jumped back. Finally I put the seed right close to it and he finally got the nerve to see what it was and ended drinking a couple inches of it. He completely cleaned up all the seeds and I went in the house and I looked out a while later he was gone. Vern said it went across the road again. Sorry for the long story, but that was our excitement for the day. Being from the farm brought memories of feeding the pigs. LOL

Lilies

I took a few more pictures of the lilies this afternoon around 4:00 p.m. These smaller pictures don't really do justice to the beauty of these lilies. Everyone on is such a different, but beautiful color.

Wild Bird Information

Here are some links that have good information on wild birds:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Baltimore_Oriole.html

http://www.wildbirds.com/photo_FAQ.htm

http://www.wildbirds.com/identify_color.htm

http://www.wildbirds.com/Default.htm

http://www.wildbirds.com/feeding_hummers.htm

Baltimore Oriole Feeder

Baltimore Orioles love to eat jelly. I made this little feeder to hold the jelly. It is not fancy, but it is very functional. I can put out two containers at a time and it is very easy to change and clean the containers. The birds learned to use it almost immediately.

Pear Tree

Our son, Todd, started this pear tree in his yard, from seed that came from his pear tree which is a good producer. He planted it in the back yard here for Father's Day. I had to put a cage around it to keep the deer from eating it! I thought he would like to see how his pear tree is growing. I am going to have to raise the roof pretty soon.