Great Blue Heron Nests

It all started one day about ten years ago when we were living in Southern California. Chris was coming home from grocery shopping and while stopped at a red light, she saw a heron fly overhead and land in a eucalyptus tree. A few days later, Chris brought Mike back to the area and they saw several heron nests with babies in the trees. On a recent trip back to SoCal, we were pleased to see that herons are still nesting in these trees.

We saw one baby great blue heron in a nest with a protective mother in the top photo. We think the bottom photo shows two juveniles in another nest who are waiting for a parent to return.

Egret

Grebe

Great Blue Heron Fishing

Baby Red Bellied Woodpecker

The baby Red Bellied Woodpecker is starting to get some red feathers on his head. He waited on the tree while his mother flew back and forth with some suet.

Northern Cardinal Juvenile

Goldfinch

Here is a photo of a goldfinch, the state bird of New Jersey.

Red Winged Blackbird and Baby

A red winged blackbird with two babies has been visiting the feeder. The babies are quite noisy waiting for the mother to bring them food.

Northern Flicker

A photo of a northern flicker on the top of a telephone pole.

Great Blue Heron

We took our walk early this morning and surprised a great blue heron. He flew off after a few seconds but we were able to get this photo. We're posting this for Lana, who told us she loves herons.

Everyone needs to rest sometimes

It's been too hot and everyone is sleepy. We caught the mallards taking a midday nap in our yard. George, our cat, likes to sleep when it's hot and sunny (or when it's cold and rainy). Mike caught this squirrel resting peacefully, blissfully unaware of Chris' feelings for his species.

Tufted Titmouse: Front and Back View

Two tufted titmouse photos. Mike thinks they are more detailed with the new camera lens than our prior titmouse photos.

Young Northern Cardinal

Here are some photos of a juvenile northern cardinal.

Female Northern Cardinal

We switched back to safflower seed and a family of Northern Cardinals discovered it. Here is the female. The male is very flighty, but the female and juvenile are not as easily disturbed.

Groundhog

Here is a groundhog (also called woodchuck). When we moved to New Jersey, we thought they were cute. Now that she is doing some gardening, Chris would like them to stay away. Mike still likes them.

Chipmunk

This chipmunk filled up his cheeks with seed that had fallen below the feeder.

Mystery bird

We don't know who this is. It was eating seeding from the ground under the feeder.

Cedar Waxwing

There are usually about five or six cedar waxwings eating insects by the dam in the morning. They are a challenge for us because they don't sit still for very long. Mike got a new lens for the camera, so that's helping a bit, but we sure wish they would sit still. We still hope to get a picture that shows their beautiful markings better.

Red Bellied Woodpecker Mom and Juvenile

"Baldy", the juvenile red-bellied woodpecker showed up with his mother today. Chris is glad to see he is being cared for.

Juvenile Red Bellied Woodpecker

This little guy had us confused for a while this evening. At first we thought it was a flicker, but it didn't have the right facial markings. We are pretty comfortable with our decision that it is a juvenile Red Bellied Woodpecker. He tended to stay in one spot for long periods. He also took a little nap as you can see by the closed eye in one shot. Chris is a little concerned that he doesn't have a mother bird feeding him. All the other baby birds still have mothers feeding them even though they look big enough to take care of themselves. Hopefully this little guy will stay around and we'll get to see him do well and get his colored belly and head and grow into his feet. We think his feet look too big for him, much like a puppy.

Finch

Night Heron

There has been heavy rain the past two days and the stream is flowing much faster. It doesn't seem to bother the night heron.

Red Bellied Woodpecker Photos

Sometimes it's tough deciding which photos to post. The red bellied woodpecker, also known as Mr. Spectacular, is a favorite. He spent an hour posing in different trees.

Northern Cardinal

Happy 4th of July

Young Tufted Titmouse

This tufted titmouse has been waiting near the feeder while its mother gets seed for it. Today, it got its own seed.

Mallards

We've watched this family of mallards grow up this spring. The ducklings are now almost the same size as the mother.