I've got two males and a female visiting the garden now.







The female doesn't use the feeder but both males do. The males used to spend all day fighting but now they seem to tolerate each other.

The rabbits visit every evening, just before dark. They come right up to the window and munch on my wildflowers.



Flocks of robins gather in the garden in the evenings as well. I think they are fattening up for their trip north.





Birds are on the move all over. Whistling duck flyover at Riverbend:





Here's a video of the three males on the feeder:



There are also two pairs of cardinals . They seem to have divided up the territory; one pair lives in the front yard and one in the back. It would be nice if they both nested nearby, but they fight over the bird feeders. Once the hummingbirds leave for the summer I will put another feeder out front for them.

It's been warm again this week. Looking forward to seeing more snakes! Might go check out some of my favorite snakey places soon.

It has been an eventful week. First, I finally got some photos of the hummingbird visiting the feeder.



And video!



The painted bunting was drinking water out of the "ant moat." Guess he is telling me that he wants another birdbath!



The alpha anole



Next, I was in New Orleans for Winter Storm Leon. These shots were taken before the city was shut down.









Finally, I saw a couple of metal shows in Ft. Lauderdale.

Enslaved



Amon Amarth





Atrocity/Leaves Eyes





Moonspell





It has been in the 80's in FL since I got back. Hopefully we will have just a little bit more cool weather before the summer begins!

Went to Nevada for work last week and had my first experience of Las Vegas. And the Mojave Desert. Of the two, I think I prefer the desert!























Got to watch the Thunderbirds practicing for an airshow




One of the casino hotels had an aquarium inside, so that was a nice escape from the craziness of "the strip."







Last weekend we had some chilly weather in FL. Riverbend was hopping with birds!

Misty morning





Downy Woodpecker



Lots of red-shouldered hawks



Robins



This little blue heron was a great poser. I couldn't decide which shot I liked best.











The mischievous racoons again

Today I was able to attend the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle at the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. I'm usually out of town when these events take place so I was very happy to be there to see "Atwell" return home.

Getting ready to go





The procession down the beach





The final stretch





Home at last





I've also been vising Riverbend when I can. The weather has been pretty weird lately. No polar vortex to worry about, but we have had some unseasonably heavy rains this past week.

Stormy skies


Raccoons







Lots of birds





Attitude



I was planting some flowers in the front yard and disturbed this narrow-mouthed toad. He was grumpy but I put him in a safe spot to sleep for the rest of the day.



I saw a hummingbird one morning, but no use of the feeder that I have seen. Lots of painted buntings still here!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! May 2014 bring you health, happiness, prosperity, and beautiful birds!

We are celebrating the occasion with Painted Buntings.



Click videos to play:











Many people have been asking why my new bird feeder looks like a robot.
I use the Heritage Farms Squirrel-proof feeders because these are the only ones that I have found to be actually squirrel proof. They might not be the cutest feeders, but they do the job!
The reason for the new, more robotic look is that the view of the new feeder is from the side, because it is double sided. The old one only had one perch, so it faced front. The old one is still in use and has lasted well after 5 years in the elements.

Still waiting for hummingbirds!

Visited the park last week for Christmas. The birding wasn't spectacular, but because of the warm and rainy "winter" we are having, there were lots of reptiles about.

Gator at Eco Pond. The site was flooded with salt water and muck during Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and has taken many years to recover. It was encouraging to see the gator (since they prefer fresh water to salt), plus lots of fish and birds.





The American Crocodiles were hanging around Flamingo marina, as usual.





Largemouth bass pairing off



A peaceful end to the day















That night on our drive back, we found a new snake. All I could see was a reddish tail disappearing into the grass, so we got out to have a closer look.





When we first got the flashlight on the head I thought it was a Rainbow Snake. This would have been an amazing discovery because the southern Florida rainbow snake, Farancia erytrogramma seminola, is extremely rare and has only been seen a handful of times. It didn't have the lengthwise stripes for a rainbow snake though, so we were puzzled. Upon closer inspection of these really bad photographs, it looks like an Eastern Mud Snake, Farancia abacura abacura. Still an exciting find!

The painted buntings really like the new feeder. The old feeder is still up too, but for some reason only one of the females will use it.







There has been more use of the birdbath lately too.





Another ancient wanderer found in the garden yesterday.



Last week I was working in Colorado. The highlight of the trip was a bald eagle winter roost. We saw at least 13 birds. I didn't have any decent gear with me, but we encountered some nice folks that let us look through their scope.

"Record shot." Those black specks are the eagles.



There were still a few patches of snow, but it was much warmer than I had expected. 60's during the day!



Watched a few prairie dog battles



Sunset lights up the prairie grasses in the most amazing ways.







Lights and skating in Denver



It is nice to be home now. I just put up a hummingbird feeder in hopes of enticing them to stick around for the winter. They tend to stopover in the fall and spring.

Rich and I (and the buntings) wish you a Merry Christmas!

Last week I took a couple of days off to enjoy the west coast of Florida.

I spent most of the first day at Ft. DeSoto Park. As always, it was great for shorebirds.















The most exciting find of the day was this large yellow rat snake polishing off a nest of baby squirrels.
Warning: some of the following shots are a little gory.

















Raccoon family nearby



Finally I headed over to the pier to catch the sunset. This dolphin was stealing fish right off the fishermen's hooks.



These oystercatchers were beautifully lit by the setting sun









Perfect end to a wonderful day.







The next day I met a new friend at the Florida Aquarium. His name is Cliff.



Friday night- Finntroll!



Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not post any painted buntings. Had to install another feeder to keep up with demand. This one is double sided to reduce squabbling.



There are still at least three males and three females visiting, along with the resident cardinals, bluejays, and mourning doves.
I've also seen a hummingbird a few times. Since their favorite flowers are not in bloom right now, I am going to put up a hummingbird feeder. Hopefully hummingbird pics will follow!

Turkeys at dusk



Painted Buntings







Yesterday there were three males! A nice thanksgiving gift.



I was playing around with the camera the other day and took some shots of the marine fish.









Happy Thanksgiving!

Some shots from an early morning walk in central Florida





There was also a turkey in the mist. Its strange to see a turkey up a tree.



The day before, I was stuck inside working, and it was like this.



Watchful racer



Evening



After that, I headed to Canada for some meetings. Got my first look at Lake Huron, in the distance at least.



Lots of snow



Cold Beer





Home in S. FLorida, the fall colors are showing, such as they are. A tree full of cormorants.



And herons.



Spotted this barred owl right at dusk



This fellow kept me company this afternoon.