What
Tordo-Americano (Turdus migratorius)Observador
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Thirsty Robin
Running water always tastes better.
What
Lugre-Dos-Pinheiros (Spinus pinus)Observador
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Can't Resist When They Pose
I need to stop looking out the window when there are chores to be done. Could not resist, the light and pose were perfect.
What
Corujinha-Do-Leste (Megascops asio)Observador
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First part of the story
Kissy Face In The Owl Box
At 4am this morning Frick went in the box & Frack followed him. They trilled a little to each other and had a little kissy face session. Then Frick left and again Frack followed him. I believe Frick keeps trying to convince Frack to stay in this box and lay eggs but she is not having it.
minute & 1/2 video can be viewed here: https://www.kapturedbykala.com/Birds/i-HJgZdf4
2nd part of the story:
this goes with the photo above
What? I Do What I Want!
At 7:03 this morning I found Frack, defiantly back in the squirrel box in my backyard. The lady has a mind of her own. I didn't crop so tightly this time so you can see that the squirrels have chewed the top of this box in addition to the opening.
What
Chopim-Mulato (Molothrus ater)Observador
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Under The Feeder
I looked out my window & saw her under the bird feeder. She was trying to keep warm and eat at the same time. The feeder above her was crowded with a bunch of male cowbirds. She had plenty of food all to herself on the ground that was spilling as the guys fought over the seeds above her.
What
Peneireiro-Americano (Falco sparverius)Observador
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How Do They Do This?
I've seen kestrels perched like this several times & it amazes me every time. High at the top tip of a bare twig. I guess they have a good view from there. Sure makes them easier to spot from a distance.
What
Rabo-de-Quilha (Quiscalus quiscula)Observador
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Grackle Wars
Lots of drama in the hood.
What
Corujinha-Do-Leste (Megascops asio)Observador
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Frack Makes Her Own Choices
This is Frack. She decided to spend Saturday in my backyard owl box. The one I have not cleaned out in 3 years because it is impossible to access. I gave it to the squirrels who have raised a lot of babies in there and filled it with squirrel crap. You can see how badly chewed it is. No camera in there. My front yard owl house is nice & clean with fresh bedding, no squirrel crap and a camera inside. Screech owls will drive you nuts, totally unpredictable. She only stayed that one day. As you can see from her expression here, she is the Queen & nobody tells her what to do.
Observador
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Still Here
I'm tired of them....my cats are not. This one has stripes on its wings.
What
Chopim-Mulato (Molothrus ater)Observador
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Cowbird Finds The Fountain
He got a drink then looked straight at me in the window. See? I did it. Only took a couple of days for the birds to get used to the new fountain.
Fotos / Sons
What
Subfamília EmpidinaeObservador
kalamurphykingDescrição
Photo 1:
Bug Lifer View 1
This is my first dance fly. I thought it was a robber fly but I was wrong. I could only get it identified to the sub-family level. It was in flowers I had in a pot in my front yard. A tiny little thing.
Photo 2:
Bug Lifer View 2
Dance flies get their name because the males swarm & dance in the air to attract females. They will catch a small insect, wrap it in silk and offer it as a nuptial gift. Then the females choose the male with the most delicious looking offering. Some males try to get away with offering an empty ball of silk. Those males probably don't have much success.
Photo 3:
Bug Lifer View 3
Dance flies are predators and known for eating mosquitos. But they also drink nectar. So they are good pollinators as they find both prey and nectar on flowers.
What
Papa-Léguas-Grande (Geococcyx californianus)Observador
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The Mournful Cry
Male roadrunners have a song they use both to attract a mate & to let other males know he has claimed this territory. It sounds so sad. And a bit like a dove. He is doing it in this photo. It is how I know this is a male. You can hear the song here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater_Roadrunner/sounds
What
Lugre-Dos-Pinheiros (Spinus pinus)Observador
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Pine Siskin Prefers The Top
The tiny siskin seems to prefer the water bubbling up at the top of my fountain.
What
Pintarroxo-Caseiro (Haemorhous mexicanus)Observador
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He Has Been Singing Up A Storm
I'd been hearing him singing loudly up and down my street but never could spot him way up in the treetops. Then he got hungry & turned up right outside my window.
What
Rabo-de-Quilha (Quiscalus quiscula)Observador
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Colorful Grackle With Googly Eyes
They are so beautiful when the sun hits them, but those googly eyes crack me up.
What
Graúna-d'Asa-Vermelha (Agelaius phoeniceus)Observador
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She Was Thirsty
Got a new fountain. It took a couple of days but the first bird brave enough to use it was this pretty girl.
Fotos / Sons
What
Falcão-Do-Tanoeiro (Accipiter cooperii)Observador
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I spotted a small hawk in the shadows of a tree while at the lake. Small size plus rounded tail tip & big head makes it a male coopers. The orange eyes are halfway between changing from a juvenile's yellow to an adults red.
Photo 2:
A Different Perspective
He turned just as I was taking the shot. Kept this one because I thought eye looked very cool.
What
Esquilo-Raposa (Sciurus niger)Observador
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Sup?
Very chill squirrel relaxing in the sunshine as it watched me.
What
Corujão-Orelhudo (Bubo virginianus)Observador
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Baby Owl Yawn
When I stopped by a half hour after my family portrait, it apparently was nap time. The older baby was out of sight down in the nest. Mom was asleep and the smaller baby was in the middle of a yawn. Took one shot and left them alone the rest of that day.
What
Rabo-de-Quilha (Quiscalus quiscula)Observador
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Diva
There is always one.
What
Corujão-Orelhudo (Bubo virginianus)Observador
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Typical Family Portrait
The week after I saw a baby in the nest, I checked back & there were two this time. So, I got a family portrait. Always that one child who refuses to pose. I was a good distance away & this is a highly cropped shot.
What
Bútio-Ruivo (Buteo lineatus)Observador
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I Smell Squirrel
The squirrel left right after I took a photo of it in the nest. I was looking at wildflowers under the nest when I heard a sound & looked up. 6 minutes after the squirrel had left, a hawk was back in the nest. Wise decision on the squirrel's part to leave.
observation of the squirrel in the nest can be seen here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/201808631
What
Esquilo-Raposa (Sciurus niger)Observador
kalamurphykingDescrição
Squirrel With A Death Wish
I don't know what that squirrel is thinking. That is an active red-shouldered hawk nest and squirrel is on their menu. No eggs or babies yet, they are still working together to build up the nest. Both hawks were around but not right at the nest when I saw this. No encounter while I was there.
Observador
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Coming Up The Slant
When I looked over the railing, I saw her coming up towards me. Spring signals the start of turtle nesting season.
What
Pato-Carolino (Aix sponsa)Observador
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A More Subtle Beauty
Not as flashy as the male but still quite the beauty.
Fotos / Sons
What
Biguá (Nannopterum brasilianum)Observador
kalamurphykingDescrição
Cormorant Mating Season
This was the first time I'd seen cormorants mating. I thought they migrated elsewhere before they raised babies.
What
Lugre-Dos-Pinheiros (Spinus pinus)Observador
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Sunflower Seeds are Siskin Snacks
I was surprised, thought it would go for the smaller seeds.
Observador
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The Sun Feels Good
It's Spring & the turtles are out & enjoying the sun.
What
Género TipulaObservador
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My Cats Favorite Time Of Year
My cats are thrilled that every time I open a door, snacks fly in.
2 females, id on bugguide here: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2336384
What
Rabo-de-Quilha (Quiscalus quiscula)Observador
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Sharing Discussion
They were not in agreement on how to divvy up the booty.
What
Corujão-Orelhudo (Bubo virginianus)Observador
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Peek-a-Boo Owls
Lots of cuteness here. Mom & baby both have one eye on me. Just this one shot, I moved on quickly so I would not disturb them. Highly cropped shot too, didn't want to get too close.