All our birds are back from their snowbird locations, and many enjoy the bird bath out on the front lawn. Here are some shots of the bath, and just a few shots of just some of our local critter
residents.
 |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak |
I crafted a little wire "throne" for a dominant hummer to rule from, and one immediately ascended. It was perfectly placed to allow a good view of the nearby feeder. This dominant male lets only his preferred females feed there, aggressively defending it against any would-be usurpers. Males will mate with many females in the course of a breeding season, and any females who wish to feed there must curry favor, or else be banned from approaching.
 |
| Ruby-Throat Hummingbird |
I have several types of feeders which attract different birds. This Red Headed Woodpecker is a trophy. Sightings this far north are rare, though their range seems to be creeping further north.
 |
| Red Headed Woodpecker |
American Goldfinches (yellow), Purple Finch, (red) and a female Rose Breasted Grosbeak all getting along nicely on a tray loaded with black-oil sunflower seeds.
Red-Winged Blackbird
White Tail Deer
American Coopers Hawk
This gaggle of deer are more than happy to avail themselves of a cool drink!
Whitetail are matriarchal, and multiple generations of does will remain together. Yearling bucks are driven away by their mother within a year or two, though I have seen even older bucks still traveling with their mother and younger siblings, as is evident below:
