The water fountain

With the dry July, and now a dry August, the birds have been using the fountain for bathing. It is delightful to watch them! (The fountain was a surprise gift to hubby.)


I think I jinxed it! We've had rain!!!! I wrote this a few days ago. The rain is such a relief.

With the drought, they sure like the fountain. The bird bath, at the front of the house, has been getting some action, too. I was going to shut it down for a bit. Suddenly, there are frequent flyers!

Swainson's Thrush

blue jay

We watch from the front window. At the end of the video, the danged blue jay went after the baby robin. The parents flew after.
blue jay from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.



We have a 3rd brood from the robins. It was so funny. Almost like they had to convince the young 'un to have a bath!
robin family from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

goldfinch from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo. Swainson's Thrush

July birding: eye candy!

It's such a wonderful time of year, with birds who migrate and leave us in the fall we have to enjoy them now. We had 97.7 mm of rain (3.85") a couple of days ago, and the bugs are plentiful.
The vultures do clean up. The bluebirds are on their 3rd broods. Having put away the feeders due to Junior Bear, we are seeing far fewer birds, but between that, and the cats, it means critters are safe. Birding groups are fundraising, fomenting anger about roaming cats, are still going on about keeping cars indoors, and those feeding birds still complain about cats at their feeders. We have too much fun outdoors, and the cats haven't caught a bird in months.

Then, there are the fledglings, who do silly things as they are learning to navigate their way in the skies. This silly brand new woodpecker landed on the wall above my head as I sat on the deck.




Osprey eat fish, and they will leave us, at some point. In the meantime, they are amazing to watch.

Hawks...

 OK, I know they aren't birds, but the swallowtail is an older one, if you look closely at its frazzled wing. The butterflies bring a bit of colour. The Commas and Question marks are eyeing the hops vine, looking for places to eat and lay eggs.

First Spring Canoodle!

I don't usually go out on the weekend, but it's early in the season, lots don't have their docks in.
Except for one boat, with men screaming, it was quite quiet.
The birds were busy flirting in the trees (yellow warblers, American redstarts).  Just delightful sounds. Others were floating about (mallards), and the Canada geese were watching over their chicks. Some, like the sparrow, are working on a nest. The grackles had taken up positions, as well.
Lots of basking turtles, as well.

Top speed 4.5 km/hr., total distance = 2.5km, on a trip that lasted ~47 minutes, the stretch across the lake with the red circle! I remembered to turn on the GPS after I'd begun.
Numb bum, but it was worth it!!! Two days later my arms are still sore. The trick is to go out regularly. It's pouring rain today, so no trip.