What's outside of your picture window today?

@johnbishop, @kneadmuscles53 My Goodness! Did you ck out that smacker? Those two have known each other for a while.....Is that near a feeder? More seriously, if this can be serious at all, my cardinal and others feed each other a lot. Don't know if it's just a normal family thing or if there's more. It's fun to what the parents feed the new babes. They bring the new chicks to meet me, feed them as they flutter or are on a limb fluttering...it's so sweet. Had a pair of woodpeckers this morning. I'm getting more now John, since I put out the peanut butter suet and today got a seed cake and feeder for the woodpeckers and others. I don't have a feeder that's easy for them, They have a tough time balancing long enough to get food.....So, I'm hoping this will be better. Keep having fun, John. And sharing.
Blessings to you all. elizabeth

John, my feet and legs have been fussing lately. Got 2 pairs shoes from Cole Haan, ZeroGrand.....wonderful. They were 75% off! I like these zero type shoes. Didn't see anything on Zero brand site I could wear. Off topic, sorry. Shoe conversation was good....elizabeth

I’m enjoying Spring today as viewed from front porch. Mother Nature is sending possible frost tonight.

These two look happy to be warming in the sun this morning.

SNOW here

@rosemarya Adorable! Are those owls? I can't tell from the picture...they are fantastic and a good catch for your camera. Thanks for sharing and blessings to you and your guests. elizabeth

@johnbishop, @gingerw, @rosemarya, @sueinmn, @artscaping, @merpreb, @kneadmuscles53 and all....I have to share something really, really special I saw this evening -

Outside at my new feeders I just got last week for the cardinals, woodpeckers and larger birds that have trouble with perches.....2 male Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, and a couple of smaller brown females, I think. Wow!!!!!!! First time ever have I seen this bird. I know it migrates to Central America and the Islands off Miami, from the snow country up north, maybe is seen more in South Florida, but it's brand new to me!

I was so excited. Frozen at first, after seeing this most gorgeous huge bird feeding on my patio. It's large, like a large papa cardinal, in the cardinal family I think? Build like it, with the same beak but the beak is golden. Black head, bright red throat, snow-white breast and back, black upper back w/ black/white wings and tail. The most beautiful bird I've been blessed with seeing on my patio.

One of the males was eating the sun flower seed and peanut/nut mix standing on the side of my acrylic feeder attached to my window. A 2nd male flew up and pushed him away, then 2 small females began eating on the ground. They were there with a family of cardinals, a few largish grey birds that can't be mockingbirds or they would have run off the others....I had a lot of activity today. Must be the migration north and I've missed these fellows in the past.

Anyone know how long they hang around during migrating your way? I'm researching them now, but had to send this to you. I didn't have my phone....will keep it with me tomorrow and catch a shot to share - praying they come back and wait to leave town!

I haven't been so happy and excited in a long time, folks. Feels good. Don't have anyone who I can call and tell about this! None of my friends share my love of animals, birds, gardening.....

Ok. I'll hush. If you don't know this bird, look it up and see why I am so excited. It's plum beautiful! And came to visit my little garden and feeders. Makes me feel so special.....blessings to all, elizabeth

Aren't they beautiful? We get them migrating here occasionally too, then see them in MN in summer. I'm always happy to see a new bird. Living on the flyway at both ends has been a real education in how bird's paths can vary from year to year. The big excitement down here is the arrival of at least 3 nesting pairs of bald eagles just north of us - have not been in this area for quite some time. It will be interesting to see how well they coexist with all the vultures, hawks, etc.
Sue

@sueinmn We have a very large, tall old cypress tree at the back of our property, on our creek. It has appeared dead for all the years I've lived here, about 30, but still has a very small bit of growth at the very top. For about 20+ years we had a huge, massive nest at the very top, in the center of the 3 large branches of the tree. Every year, for months, we watched it refreshed and nested by cranes. What a treat for all of us here to have them return every year.

At one point many years ago, some brilliant person on our board wanted to have the tree cut down when we had tree surgeons out to take care of the property. You should have heard the uproar! That tree will outlive/outlast all of us by many years. It's strong and going nowhere. Haven't seen the cranes in several years. We could watch the babies grow, parents feed them and see their little heads/necks pop up for food.

Miss them. I'll take a walk tomorrow and ck to see how the nest is doing, if it's still there at all.

Sue, have you ever watched the Mayo Falcons on top of the Rochester main building? I caught it by chance during the height of covid, last spring. It saved my sanity, truly. I kept them on my computer all day, watching as I went about the house doing whatever. Ck'd in with them to see Mom and Dad laying eggs, keeping them warm in the MN icey blows, watched them hatch, fed and grow into adults and leave the nest. 4 eggs, 1 runt who almost didn't make it....I prayed for her, talked to her through the computer screen, fussed at the others when the bullied her, and saw Mom and Dad help her out with extra food. Amazing to see.

It was marvelous. I cried when they left and didn't come back. Felt like I was an 'empty-nester all over again. Hope they come back to nest again. This program began about 35? years ago when falcons were quite scarce in your area. Now, because of Mayo's program and others who joined, they are no longer in danger and doing well all over the Northern states.

Been listening to Gregorian Healing Chants by Columbian monks. Off to a very safe, peaceful night of lovely, happy rest.
Blessings, elizabeth

Hello, folks. @johnbishop, @sueinmn, @gingerw, @seaspray, @artscaping, @fiesty76, @merpreb , @kneadmuscles53, @colleenyoung and all.....The Mayo Clinic Falcons are back in their nesting box at Mayo Building, Rochester! I just got on the live cam site overlooking Rochester and the nesting box; Hattie, mom for the last 6 years here and Orton, dad, who had a broken breast bone from an altercation re territory - he was taken by the Minnesota Falcon folks to heal and released from top of building last month I think....story is on the site. Mayo Clinic Peregrine Falcon live cam program.

Hattie and Orton had 4 chicks last year as I mentioned. They now have 4 eggs they're taking turns incubating right now! Should hatch in about 31 days! We can watch them work, watch the eggs hatch, watch the parents share duties and fend off invaders if necessary. I'm so thrilled! What a joy to see this live via earth cam until the babies grow up and fly away. See them banded.....the video said 2 of our 2020 babies were killed last year, don't know which ones or how. Hope the other 2 are hatching their own eggs this year....maybe they'll find out.

Just thought I'd share this fun stuff. I love it. Will be watching this year again and amazed at the program, at the folks so dedicated, at God and His wonderful world. Blessings as I finally get to bed with sounds of falcons on their eggs in a nesting box that's black as the ace of spades right now!!!!!!! Welcome the Dawn! elizabeth

Note: Wouldn't this be a fun site w/lots of discussion and very good mental and physical health to share in a group?? Might help other folks like it did me last year when we were all so isolated in the depths of covid depressions! It saved my sanity and helped me on this healing process.....ess

@ess77- Can you send me the link to the site? I also watch the Decorah Eagles? Thanks,
Merry