Has it really been over three months since my last blog post? It is my wish to post more often, but I have had difficulty finding the time. My husband and I have spent the majority of the summer at our country property in Indiana. Bruce has been working diligently building the house and has made great progress. Unfortunately, we do not have internet service yet, so I am unable to process photographs and put together blog posts until we return back to our home in Chicago.
We have so enjoyed the beautiful summer of 2013 in northwest Indiana. It's been a stellar year for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds! Wherever I travel on our acreage, I am able to spot these diminutive, energetic birds zipping through the air. I'm thrilled that more hummingbirds resided on our property than ever before. I placed fifteen feeders out at the beginning of the spring season, but had to add three more in July when the hummingbirds drained several of them in less than 8 hours.
Our resident Eastern Bluebirds raised two broods this year, though sadly, the adult male disappeared right before the second group hatched. Mom bluebird did a great job tending to her young even though she lost her mate.
I was able to locate a few tree nests and observe both Baltimore Oriole and Blue Jay parents successfully raise their young. As always, the House Wrens were busy building many nests in the available nest boxes. Currently, there are lots of tiny juvenile wrens flitting around our property.
Last year, a handsome pair of Eastern Phoebes built a nest in the unfinished garage of our new home. The couple returned and built a new nest in the same location and reared two healthy broods.
Below I feature several of the lovely birds seen on our acreage this summer.
A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird defends his feeder
A resplendent Cedar Waxwing perches on a branch
Crooning an early morning song ~ Blue-winged Warbler
A handsome pair of Sandhill Cranes lift off in unison
Searching the field for food ~ Juvenile Sandhill Crane
Ever alert! ~ Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
A radiant Indigo Bunting pauses briefly
Just moments out of the nest for the first time, a baby Blue Jay checks out the surroundings
One of two pair of Brown Thrashers seen on our property
A pretty Yellow Warbler forages for insects amid the leaves
A very attentive male Baltimore Oriole brings a plump, green caterpillar to the hungry nestlings
Little House Wrens can be quite demanding!
Our resident pair of Eastern Bluebirds claims the nest box
You can still see the pin feathers on this disheveled looking young hummingbird
No vacancy at this popular feeder
We will certainly miss all the exciting action when the hummingbirds are gone
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