Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Backyard Treasurers

We had baby bluebirds this year.  I was lucky enough to see the first little guy take his solo flight.  I was surprised that the babies aren't blue but brown with spotted chests.  A few weeks later they revisited the fence 'in their neighborhood' and I saw some blue feathers coming in but they were still predominantly brown. 
 
 
My cardinal babies also start out brown. Mrs. Cardinal and I were both having panic attacks when both babies decided to spend the night in the animal zone where both the dog and Monster Kitty like to hang. Since Faux Paw and Captain Stubby, who hang on the porch, are both fifteen, they are no longer a threat to the bird populace.  Monster Kitty was curtailed to indoors and the dog went out on a leash until they moved on.

Do you see him? He blends doesn't he? Maybe that's the point. Actually both birds (cardinal and finch) blend.



I just threw this in because I thought it was pretty. The hibiscus bush has gone crazy this year. We need an outdoor light worked on that's right over it.  The electrician said he'd return when the flowers died back:)


What's going on in your backyard?

47 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Love the colour (and the feathered enchantment) in your yard. Ours is starting to wake up to Spring. As are the birds...

Valerie-Jael said...

Love those birdies, so sweet. Glad Monster Kitty couldn't get at them. My balcony is a mess. Alternating extreme heat and torrential rains have killed off nearly everything! I will plant some new stuff for Autumn. Hugs, Valerie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sandra - no back yard as such ... but I love looking at others' gardens and seeing the change of seasons. Cheers Hilary

Barbara said...

I love those little birds and I'm so glad they were safe in your backyard. Our backyard is starting to feel very much like autumn is setting in and all the baby birds have flown. Hugs

nashvillecats2 said...

They are treasures indeed Sandra, thanks for sharing.

Yvonne.

Anonymous said...

The Cardinal bird is quite alien to us. Rather amazing looking.

Pat Hatt said...

Blending to keep away prey sounds good. Bet monster kitty was a bit miffed indeed lol

Sharon said...

I'm fond of my cat, but she gets out of my good graces when she kills a bird. She got Mrs. Bluebird this spring, and Mr. Bluebird seems to have moved on. Of course, he may have died from old age or heartache ... I love watching the Cardinals trying to teach their young'uns what birdseed is all about, haha.
Lovely flowers! My hibiscus has pretty much finished blooming, I don't understand why. I'm only seeing 3 or 4 at a time that bloom. There used to be a riot.
Not much else happening back there. DH is having a small deck put back there, (If the guy ever shows up again) one with a ramp. I'm looking forward to that.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Sometimes baby birds are ugly, but those are really cute.

CJ Kennedy said...

Love seeing your baby birds. Brown or no, very cute. Your hibiscus look like dinner plates. Wow!

baili said...

oh dear! birds and flowers are lovely!
your backyard is as rich as mine front yard but unlike you i can't capture them so beautifully

Out on the prairie said...

I think any cat might get the inkling to hunt, but just wouldn't like the outcome when they are older.Love those babies

donna baker said...

You are a good birdie momma Sandra.

Sandra Cox said...

You are starting into spring and we are heading toward fall....

Sandra Cox said...

We'll have a brief moment of silence for your balcony.
Thinking of mums?
I'm waiting for them to appear in the stores. I'm after some whites and pinks.

Birgit said...

Love your pics and how great of you to watch over the little birdies. It makes sense they would be brown u til they can take care of themselves. Your flowers are pretty and so nice to see. My mom is all better and has no memory of even being in the hospital or having pneumonia:)

Sandra Cox said...

I love looking at gardens too, Hilary. One of my favorite things.

JFM said...

Precious new life that Mother Nature colors a drab brown until they can deal with the world on their own.
Lovely photos and gorgeous Hibiscus flower Sandra~

Sandra Cox said...

Autumn is going to be breathing down our back soon too, Barbara. All seasons have their own wonderful flavor, but it's always a bit sad to see summer go.

Sandra Cox said...

My pleasure. Thank you, Yvonne;)

Sandra Cox said...

I love cardinals. When I lived out in the county, I'd see a couple of dozen after it had snowed. It was just beautiful.

Sandra Cox said...

PS Though, you have many beautiful, exotic birds we don't. So I guess it's a trade off.

RO said...

These little guys are so adorable, and the colors are wonderful. They are definitely treasures! In my backyard are ducks who come to hang out occasionally to say hello. Hope your Tuesday is going great! Hugs...RO

Sandra Cox said...

Indeed he was, Pat;) He didn't appreciate having his playtime curtailed.

Sandra Cox said...

It's heartbreaking when the cats get birds.
I love hibiscus. I need to find some more hardies.
Oh, you'll enjoy that deck when it's done. We're going to want to see pics:)

Stephanie Faris said...

Such beautiful pictures! We had a baby bird on the ground in our yard the other day and our dog was right up on it. Luckily my husband saw it and called her off. I don't think she'd hurt it, but better safe, than sorry!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Thankfully, I've never had a cat that wanted to chase birds. However, I was "house sitting" a monster cat that was a bit wild and chased birds, killed their young, and/or ate their eggs. I'd never seen such destruction before or since. So glad the baby bluebird in your yard was safe from harm, thanks to you.

I'm also a BIG fan of cardinals. I even collect them for my main floor bath.

Great camouflage shot, and beautiful flowers. What few I've had this year, have mostly died back. I do better with spring flowers than those found in the summer heat.

Sandra Cox said...

You know even the little baby bluebirds have that p.o.'d look down pat that is uniquely a bluebirds expression. So cute. It's one of the ways I was able to recognize it as a bluebird:)

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, CJ:)
You make me smile.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh thank you, Baili.
I bet your front yard is beautiful.

Sandra Cox said...

He's at the butterfly stage. I've had to pry open the jaws of death on more than one occasion. Sigh.

Sandra Cox said...

Thank you, Donna;) I appreciate that.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Birgit. I hadn't thought about it but you're right. Brown is a good camouflage color.
So glad your mom is better. One of the few blessings of losing memory is not remembering the bad.

Sandra Cox said...

That Mother Nature is pretty smart isn't she, Jan?
Thanks:) Glad you liked them.

Sandra Cox said...

I LOVE ducks!!! It would be lovely living on the water just to see and watch the ducks.
Hugs back,

Sandra Cox said...

Good for your husband! Your dog is little isn't it? Ours is a moose and tries to play with them by jumping on them. Needless to say, the birds come off the worse for wear.

Sandra Cox said...

Good for you, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, most of mine consider themselves mighty hunters.
Aren't cardinals wondrous? Love them.
Spring flowers are wonderful. We so desperately need them after winter. And speaking of which, I need to plant some daffodils.

Janie Junebug said...

I didn't know those babies are brown. I don't see many birds because of all the feral cats in our neighborhood.

Love,
Janie

da tabbies o trout towne said...

frankly......dood......faaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...did ya see what kinda verbiage wented on two day on yur momz post ~~~~~~~

☺☺♥♥

Truedessa said...

I did see him, as well as the face in the fence. It seems you have company that watches over the yard.

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Janie,
First thing I thought was a bird had substituted their eggs:) Then I did some research and yup they were little blue birds.

On my hobby horse here (And I'm sure you agree): People need to spay/neuter their cats so ferals will become a nonissue.

Sandra Cox said...

Heh.

Sandra Cox said...

Yes:)

Magic Love Crow said...

I love birds! We have so many different kinds that come into our yard! I could watch them for hours! Love your pictures Sandra! Gorgeous flower pictures! Big Hugs!

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely birds and flowers.
Those blooms are so colourful, great to see.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

These are just wonderful, Sandra. Just wonderful. I have never, ever seen a bluebird. Baby or grown. I'd love to.Yes, I'm sure you were very anxious for Baby Cardinal! Oh, how I love this!

UplayOnline said...

I don't see many birds because of all the feral cats in our neighborhood.


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