Flying Jewels of Spring

The spring season is one of my favorite times of the year. Along with milder temperatures, the greening of foliage and flowering trees, bird migration occurs. Colorful, active birds make regular stops throughout the Midwest. Some delight us with their beauty throughout the summer months and others stop for only a brief visit as they make their way north. These bright, dazzling birds decorate the blossoming trees for all to appreciate.

Always a glorious sight ~ Scarlet Tanager

A resplendent Blackburnian Warbler explores the oak tree leaves for prey

On the hunt for a buggy snack ~ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

A brilliant Yellow Warbler pauses for a moment in the marsh

A secretive Kentucky Warbler searches for food amongst the leaf litter

A stunning Chestnut-sided Warbler among the budding pink blossoms

A bright orange beauty ~ Baltimore Oriole

A gorgeous Magnolia Warbler gleans insects from a budding tree

A striking Cedar Waxwing sups on fresh blooms

A black-capped bird in search of a meal ~ Wilson's Warbler

A Brown Thrasher forages near the forest edge

Seeking nourishment along the creek ~ Prothonotary Warbler

Sitting pretty on a branch ~ Ovenbird

A lovely Canada Warbler searches for nutrition amidst pretty pink blooms

Crooning a tune ~ Hooded Warbler

Blue brilliance ~ Eastern Bluebird

A moment of peace for this busy Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hummingbirds Galore, Baby Birds & More

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