In June, I believe we had three baby crows that visited our yard. I don’t know for certain because to me young birds (“babies”) look very much like older birds. Actually, young birds often look larger than adult birds, at least in the case of blue jays. From what I have seen in the past the young birds still have their fluff so they sometimes look larger. The fluff isn’t always easy to discern so originally I thought the larger birds were adults. We used to have baby blue jays in our yard every year and watching them it was clear they were not adults. They were so awkward and silly, whereas the adults were very precise. These three birds we had in June were silly. They liked to take bathes — as did all of our blue jay babies in the past. These crows seemed to play and explore, then one by one they were gone.
I had never seen a crow in the bird bath so it was really exciting to see these black beauties hop around and in the bath. They were really gone too soon for my liking.
I know the pictures are not great, sorry, but I took them through screens and windows because the crows would stop their antics when they noticed us watching. In a couple of shots you can see that they noticed me.
Maybe they will remember it was a safe place and they will bring their babies here.
Back in November of 2017, I was sitting on my couch and noticed this. I took the pictures and videos with the intent of posting about it. Well, three years later here ya go. I noticed him then watched him for about 10 minutes. It was odd. Hawks are very big birds and the funny thing is this is a small hawk. This guy had upset the blue jays. You can hear them in the videos squawking. It took our cats a bit to notice. I believe when I wasn’t recording the bird I was talking to my cats trying to get them to notice. I didn’t want to get up because I didn’t want to disturb the bird. The birdbath is not that far away and often times we frighten birds off of it by moving to get a better look. I didn’t want to move. I was in awe.
The pictures and the videos are not great. I was using my iPhone 5. But, to me, they are still cool. I have two videos of Teagan that me laugh because they remind me that she was walking toward the window then saw the bird and froze. I have never seen her so still. She was in midstride and STOPPED, her head low, and she just froze with only her tail moving back and forth. She was like that for at least 5 mins. I didn’t post them because I was laughing and talking while filming and the best I can figure is I had my fingers over the mic and then I moved them and the sound is too inconsistent and annoying. Plus it is just a recording of a cat standing completely still, I do pan over to the bird who seems to be watching the cat, but only the mom (or dad) wants to watch a (their) cat standing still for a minute and a half.
The hawk doesn’t do anything, but move his head, drink some water, and fluffy up a bit. I just wanted to say that so you weren’t disappointed if you watch the videos. And . . . I am not best videographer and I can bet you that I was trying to move while not moving a lot to get closer so they are not the smoothest of recordings. They, along with the pictures are just to document that THERE WAS A HAWK IN OUR YARD!
I believe this is a Cooper’s hawk. As he was large, but not very large.
Recently I was picnicking with friends and we had a visitor. He was VERY close and I was not entirely comfortable. My friends did not understand my discomfort, but I am thinking they were not entirely aware of how aggressive peacocks can be. He was giving me the stink eye and I just wanted to be prepared for the moment when he tried to grab my sandwich out of my hand. But he did not, although he did stand there pretty much the entire time we were eating.
We were talking to one of the staff who said that there is about 25 or 30 peacocks. She said that they had been brought over from Spain and they used to live and hang around the area, but they didn’t hang around as much anymore since the neighbor up the road started feeding them.
Of course being around them made me curious about them because there seems to be that peacocks are just hanging around places more often than there used to be. At least, I see them more than I used to. We used to have peacocks in our science area when I was in 7th and 8th grade. They used to scream – a lot.
While looking up some information on them, I did confirm that they can be aggressive and they are territorial. The internet also confirmed that they have been seen chasing people to get their food. So, that is why I kept my eye on this one while he eyed my sandwich.
The internet also said that peacocks do or have attacked people, but it is not a common thing. Most of the information mentioned “mating season” when reporting on incidences. Sounds as if they get aggressive during mating season, but that seems typical of most species.
It is interesting – to me – to learn that peacocks are the males while the female are peahens and they both are peafowl. The peacocks we saw did not have many tail feathers so we were not treated to any grand displays. Come to find out the males shed their tail feathers. They shed at the end of each mating season. One website stated it can be fast – happening in a week or it could take months. They do grow back in time for the next year’s mating season. That gives me hope that the feathers that are sold are actually molted feathers and are not plucked from the birds.
We had a pleasant picnic even though this guy totally wanted my sandwich.
It is OBVIOUS he wanted my sandwich!
Have you been seeing peacocks around more often than you used to?
This past weekend we were up at my parents’ house preparing for an estate sale. Some of the neighbors were having a garage sale, so we decided to put out a few items. While we were hanging out hoping for people to show up we were being entertained by some young blue jays. I was obsessed with them because I thought they were sooooo cute. They seem to hang out in the trees and bushes in the yard in front of the house. As is my M.O., I didn’t think to take pictures or video them until it was almost too late. I didn’t want to get that close. There was one that just kept up the chatter. They were all so cute. There were three. They still had their little fluff. They will be gone the next time we are up there.
It seemed to me that they hadn’t quite learned the blue jay squawk yet, they were still chirping. When I first started watching them they were not squawking AT ALL. But as the day wore on, they would do it in between chirps. I wish I would have caught the constant chirping on video. I could not get enough of them.
Do you get to see baby birds in your area? What types?
Once a month after stretch class, on the last Thursday of the month, a group of us meets for coffee. Sometimes it is a very small group and sometimes it is much bigger, but it is a way for us to keep in touch and for us to check in with each other. Sometimes after yoga on Tuesdays we go for lunch. At a recent lunch the conversation came around to birds – it was a very windy, crazy, fun-filled path that got us to birds, and I was telling them about our bird bath. A couple of us stated that we love to watch the birds bathe. If you have seen any of my bathing bird posts you know I love to watch them. Because how the conversation started I wanted to show them a picture of our bird bath. Then I remembered I had a video of an oriole bathing. Then I was kind of sad because none of my students had seen it, then I realized I had tweeted it and not posted it on my blog. So . . . I decided to post it here to share.
You know how I love to watch birds bathe. They just seem to enjoy it with all that fluttering and hopping around. Since the orioles are so cautious I was super happy to catch one in the bath. It is a quick bath, but still pretty cool. I do actually have another video of an oriole bathing, but I will post this one first.
Such a gorgeous color. So very yellow. Perhaps they are feeling a little more comfortable since they’ve come back for a few years now . . . if, in fact, these are the same birds.
We keep the bird bath bath clean and full. I don’t do either (clean it or fill it) as much as my hubby. We love to have birds visit so we make it as inviting as possible.
It was way before 2008 that I first noticed an oriole on our hummingbird feeder. I didn’t know what it was then. I got a picture of one on a feeder in 2008. I don’t know that I saw any more for years. Now they are regulars. In fact I am rushing to post this so that I can go fill the feeder they just emptied. I’ve mentioned before that the feeder we bought specifically for the orioles is way too difficult to clean. It is very narrow and I am not sure I can get the brush in there and get it clean enough. They are much dirtier than the hummingbirds. Or something. It could be that they have to get their beaks all the way in whereas hummingbirds have long tongues. I am not sure, but the hummingbird feeder they primarily eat off of is way more gross than the ones the hummingbirds eat off of. It gets this black sludgy stuff in it. This time of year it is not so bad because I am filling it every three or four days. Our hummingbird feeders come apart and are very easy to clean so we just take the flowers off of them so that the orioles can get their beaks in for the sugar water.
I think the orioles we get are Hooded Orioles. I originally read (now I can’t find it) that they depart in July, but now I am looking at a site that says they depart in August. So we might have them another month or so. I am trying to keep the feeder full so they have enough before they go. But I try to keep them all full for the hummingbirds anyway.
The orioles have gotten a little more brave as they used to fly away immediately if we even walked into our living room. But now they will stay at the feeder or even come into the yard when we are in the living room. And they are so brave that now they are eating at the feeder that is close to the window. They are tormenting my cat. She climbs up on the cat tower and talks at them. She reaches at her paw for them. There were two on the feeder today while Nessa and I were playing and that quickly distracted both of us.
I guess over the summer they have gotten a little used to us so they are not as fearful. They are still very cautious, but they are less freaky and will stay and eat as long as we are not too close.
My husband said he saw six last night around the feeder . . . that could be why it is empty and I have to fill it. I know that I have seen two brightly colored ones together, so I know that there are at least two males. It is difficult to tell the females apart but I have seen at least four together so I know that there are at least four of them. I have never seen all six together.
Since they have gotten a bit brave I was able to take closer pictures. So here are a few.
This is from a long time ago. We kept having orioles on the hummingbird feeder. They used to pick the yellow flowers off the hummingbird feeder. So we bought them an oriole feeder. But they like the hummingbird ones better. The oriole feeder is really difficult to clean. Could be why they like the hummingbird feeders better. They probably taste better because they get cleaned better. The hummingbird feeders can be taken entirely apart. So I am able to make sure I get it ALL cleaned. Since the orioles pick the flowers off the hummingbird feeders so they can get to the sugar water, we just leave one or two off now.
Here you can see a hummingbird looking at the invader. Can you see him? Ya kind have to look closely.
There was a period of time that there was a family of blue jays that would nest in the our neighbor’s trees. They would come once a year and have babies. I think they did that for about three years. I think I have mentioned it before on my blog. I enjoyed watching the babies grow. They are so funny. They are just like all babies in that they go through a learning period. The go through an awkward period. Those two periods often coinciding! Then they get their wings (pun intended) and they fly. I miss watching the babies birds grow. Our neighbor severely trimmed the trees one year and the birds never came back to nest. I came across this photo and I wanted to post it for a Friday Photo.
We have yard animals. I like to feed the animals that come in the yard. I like to feed them because I feel bad that all of the land that is around our house and neighborhood that was once orchards and fields is now developed. I feel bad that the animals have no home and no place to forage for food. So I feed them. Also, it is great entertainment for our cats. I feel bad keeping cats as “indoor only” even if I believe it is for their own good. I wish they could go out and play and chase animals . . . but I really don’t want them to catch them. Anyway . . . I like to have yard animals to help entertain the girls. I love having hummingbirds. And, if you have ever read any of my yard animal post you know I LOVE (LOVE , LOVE , LOVE ) when birds bathe in the bird bath. I like to think of our yard as an animal oasis. So when I saw the hawk in the yard, I was so happy. It was exciting to me that a hawk would visit the yard. I didn’t notice the squirrel right away. When I did I thought, “Oh how sweet!” (Eyes rolling!) Then is dawned on me! AAAAAACCCCCKKKKK! This hawk is thinking our yard is like a fast food joint where he could grab a quick meal. Then I really thought about it, and although I could be wrong . . . I figured this hawk couldn’t get the squirrel. And either the squirrel was totally oblivious, totally dumb, or figured the same thing that I did.
I think the hawk needs to attack from air. They don’t just jump on their prey from the ground. They use their speed to help attack. Well, our yard is way too small for an aerial attack from this size of bird. He tried a few positions on a couple of rocks in the yard. He sat there watching the squirrel. Then he jumped to the fence and sat there for a bit. The he flew to a rooftop. I think he was really trying to figure out how to get the squirrel. He was determined. But, I think he concluded the same thing that me and the squirrel we so confident in. Our yard is too small. It has to many things in it for him to be able to spread his wings. He would never be able to fly down and attack. He sat there on the roof a bit, then he left.
This was quite a long time ago. In 2008. I hadn’t thought about it in a long time. But I was going through some stuff on my computer and I found the pictures. They make me laugh because I really did think, at first, that our yard was an oasis where animals could be together in peace. Yeah, as soon as my mind completed the thought I got it.
I think this is Cooper’s Hawk. We used to have a lot of them around. I think they used to nest in the trees near by. But as I said, there is no land around us any longer. There are no hunting grounds for birds of prey so they have gone. Now we just have a lot of people, housing, cars, traffic, and all that goes with it.
At least I have my pictures. And since I am sharing them . . . you do, too!
I have some follow up information on some of the posts I have posted:
I made another batch of Sweet and Savory Mixed Nuts, actually I made two. I made one like before actually sweet and savory, and I made a sweet and spicy. I didn’t measure the cayenne pepper, I just sprinkled a lot more in the mixture. I also found a packet of crushed hot red pepper flakes in the refrigerator, ya know the kind you get when you order pizza to be delivered? I used a package of those. So I don’t know how much that is. But last I heard it was a good amount. When I first told John he said, “Is that all?” And I reminded him I am not really trying to make them HOT, just give them a little warmth. But then he ate them and said it was a perfect amount. But ya know, sometimes with things like this it seems like the spices can be all in one spot. But hopefully the batch he took to work this morning for a snack was just as good.
Our cats, formerly known as Smokey and Esmeralda, have adjusted to their new names. They are now Teagan and Nessa. My hubby and I are convinced that Teagan actually likes her name as about the same time we decided to change it she became a little bit more affectionate. I think that Nessa likes her new name too, now, but she was quick to warm up to it. Who knows if cats actually care, but it SEEMS like they do.
When I taught yoga at The Dancing Cat earlier this month, I forgot to mention that they have adopted out eight one cats! That is awesome. I am not sure if that number has gone up, but I am hoping for them to hit at least 100 when they close in November. Again, them closing in November is the last I heard, but perhaps that has changed.
Awhile back I posted about this sugar that I had purchased because it was the only kind in the store. I had posted about it because I thought that maybe since it was less processed it actually “lasted” longer in the hummingbird feeders. By “lasted” longer I meant it didn’t get grungy as fast. Well, I have to take that back as I think it didn’t get grungy because the birds were eating it so fast. We have had a very active hummingbird community this year. It is really cool. Over the many years that we have lived here we have probably had about 10 hummingbirds at a time come into the yard to feed. But there is usually one very possessive bird that thinks he rules the yard and he spends most of his time chasing all the other birds off. This year they all seem to chase each other around, but no one bird stands out as the boss. And we have had more birds than ever. It is really cool. I filled five of our six feeders on Friday, today is Wednesday and I filled three again today. I filled one yesterday. So in about five days I had to refill our feeders.
Speaking of hummingbird feeders, I still maintain that our old hummingbird feeder, the one that is really difficult to clean, is still the favorite amongst the birds. They will always empty that one first. It always has the most birds around it. I really think they can get to the nectar better because of the way it is designed. I can’t get in and clean it better because the way it is designed, but I think they like it best. The birds do eat off the other ones, but they don’t get emptied as fast as the old one. The new ones, though, as so awesome to clean. It literally takes less than five minutes each to soap ’em up, scrub ’em down, and rinse them out. I love it.
We are planning on taking down at least three of the feeders this winter. I will leave up the two large easy to clean ones and the small one that is super easy to clean. The hummingbirds LOVE that one. We take down the oriole feeder, the hard to clean feeder, and the hummingbird bar. Any birds that are still around will still have enough to eat. If as many birds that are around now, stay around, I will keep up all the feeders, but the numbers seem to dwindle in October. We will see.
Well, that is all for the updates for now. I have thought to do a post on some of these things, but then realized none of them really warrant an entire post on its own, so I am lumping it all together!
Terre Pruitt's Blog 