Out in the country near Nacogdoches, Texas, the birds stay busy all day at my parents’ house. When I visit, I always get up at the crack of dawn with the earliest bird songs of the morning, and I quietly tip-toe outside to watch the activities of my feathered friends.
The darkness and cool morning temperature last only briefly, and with the sun’s arrival, the garden lights up in color, and the romantic countryside can at last be viewed.
The cardinals were quite numerous this particular morning, with the males’ red coloration standing out against the green foliage nearby.
The females sported their crests tall and proud.
Such personality on exhibit that morning!
A juvenile Red-Bellied Woodpecker bravely followed its parents to the feeder. Its parents were pros, zipping in for food and flying off immediately. This little one took its time figuring out how to land and how to get seed. Once it got there, it stayed for a bit, enjoying its newfound source of food. Note that its head feathers are just starting to turn red.
A short while later, a Red-Winged Blackbird noisily announced its arrival. It reminded me of the way Blue Jays, Titmice, and Chickadees can be so bossy around other birds.
Who would have thought Blackbirds could be so flexible? Check out that leg position.
A mockingbird periodically stopped by to take a drink, but it looked for breakfast in the field beyond.
The busiest birds of the morning were clearly the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds.
There was definitely territory-defending behavior going on — the male hummingbirds would fuss at other males, and the females would fuss at other females. This behavior wasn’t limited to gender, however — I didn’t get a single picture of a Tufted Titmouse this trip simply because the male hummers kept driving them off!
On the other hand, I felt lucky to catch a picture of another bird species.
I’m not sure of the exact ID, but I believe it is a type of Flycatcher. It watched me for awhile and took off before I could see its wing markings.
The bees were busy that morning, too, but I’ll save them for another post. And I’ll be heading back to East Texas in just a few days — who knows what other bird species I’ll get to see!
Magnificent photos, especially of the hummers. The first one looks like Japanese art. Thanks for the inspiration. I like the comments on the birds’ personalities, too 🙂
Meredith, you really are an artist, and you express yourself well in so many ways!
I love to view your photos- almost like you need music in the background to go with the shots- peaceful. I love that first shot- I love the colors like that- seppia? I think they call it? Either way, I like it.
What fantastic photos! We’ve been seeing many young cardinals here, along with young woodpeckers, tufted titmice, robins, and many others. It’s worth getting up early to watch them!
Meredith I hope you’ll print and frame the first shot…it’s magical!
Beautiful.
I think your mystery bird is an Eastern Phoebe. I believe it’s also a juvenile as it still shows some yellow in it’s bill.
The photos are absolutely beautiful.
Thanks, Bob — I’m still out of town but will try to edit the info as soon as I can.
You took amazing photos of the birds, especially the hummers and cardinals! Besides the adults, I’ve been watching a couple of young cardinals the past few days at my house.
Oh those hummers will have your heart, my favorite! And the cardinals in their red coats are so very cheery. Another favorite here are the goldfinches, so sunny and yellow. We get a lot of them.