Such sights and sounds of forest and feeder

It's been a tough week with clients who are very needy, with serious health issues. It heals my soul to go outdoors with camera in hand.

First up, a sweet little female hummingbird seeking sustenance, needs it as much as I.

This robin was singing lustily in the trees.

Can't forget the common birds!

Hermit Thrush

I asked Mike Murphy, again, to help me ID a new bird for me. He told me it was a thrush, likely a Hermit Thrush. She was dancing in the trees, teasing me, hiding behind tree trunks. "Hermit", indeed!

Part of good photography is anticipating where the critter will be, prefocusing the camera for that spot, eschewing autofocus, and slowly walking it into view. Success!

My guess would be a Hermit Thrush. Check out its song. Our other thrushes in the area include Veery, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush and potentially the Gray-cheeked Thrush on its way north.


The trick to identifying birds is listening and watching them. The Cornell U. site is fabulous for this. You cannot rely on anything but the pros, like the universities.

Phoebe on the nest

Our Phoebe is dancing about the yard, eating a fair share of bugs for us! She'll follow me about, as I do my gardening! She is resting on her nest in the tree house, doing her job. So far the chicken wire is doing its job keeping cats and 'coons out!

More of CC meme: #215

I can recognize the red-tailed hawk sound, as well as many of the others that grace our property. Even the turkey vultures look up when hawk calls for supper!