We watched one baby screech owl left the nest box this week. It was sad to see it go, and we miss seeing the mom glaring out of the box every evening. But we are happy that they successfully raised at least one baby, and that we were able to watch them for the past few months! Hope they come back next spring!

Mom checking to see if the coast is clear



Baby peeking out



I caught some video of the last day at the nestbox. You can see the baby fussing behind mom's back and pushing to get out. Once she leaves, the baby scrambles up to peer out.



The carolina wrens have returned.



We were just discussing whether a wren would eat a lizard or not when the male popped up holding a baby lizard! He then fed it to the female.





We've also noticed the cardinals pairing off and lots of baby rabbits.

The cardinals and bluejays alerted me to the presence of this corn snake:



A vulture dries his wings after a morning thunderstorm:

On the 9th anniversary of starting this blog, I am happy to announce that I have also launched a professional photography website! The new site features several galleries, or "photo rooms", with more to come. The site also features order fulfillment through Mpix Pro, which is a quality photo lab that I have used for years. Check it out at www.janine-images.com! I hope you enjoy it! And, if you see a photo posted here that you'd like to be able to order over there, shoot me an email and I will make it happen!

Don't worry, this blog isn't going anywhere. Although I may do some updating here and there, the quality content that you know and love is here to stay ;)
Summer is here, so I will probably have more indoor time for the next few months to work on such things! According to our home weather station, it is 104 degrees F today (and feels like 110).

I'm happily remembering cooler spring days. Here are a few shots from earlier this year, when the temperatures outside were a bit more friendly.

Pied-billed grebe





Green Heron posing





It was amazing to watch this Anhinga hunt small fish in shallow water



Got one!





And of course, no blog posting would be complete without a portrait of the resident Screech Owl



Time for a cold drink!

Screech Owl Expressions



Looking at a rabbit



"I wish I was big enough to eat that"



"Whoo goes there"



"Whatever"



In other news, we had a mini-vacation in Sanibel earlier this spring. Finally getting around to posting photos!

Lots of spoonbills







Otters









Ospreys





"That fish is too small!"





Bald eagle with Spanish Mackerel




Follow the leader



Brown Pelican





Sunset with white pelicans