Bleeding Hearts

Sorry I have been away for so long. 

I have been busy on Etsy.  Still learning the in's and out's and it's alot of fun.  I've been watching my stats and they are looking good.  I have more fans on Facebook and follower on Twitter.  Since I have joined Etsy.  I have had sales already too which I am very pleased with.

Trying to keep up with the garden, but with all the rain we have been having here in Maine, it has been difficult to keep up.  I will be heading out this weekend and I will spray down with bug spray as the blackflies are out and biting viciously.

I love seeing all the flowers that are coming back.  Can't wait to start photographing them. 

The beautiful birds are coming back too.  As a matter of fact, I have now 3 bird houses and as of now 2 will be occupied by the Tree Swallows and the third is the Eastern Bluebird.  I'm still not sure who is going to end up at which house.  The American Goldfinches are back and sounding beautiful as are the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and the Cowbirds.  The Hummingbirds are back as of a few days ago and of course the Sparrow family whose beautiful songs I love to hear in the morning and all day long.

For those who have been following, update on my dog Ben.  So far he is doing well.  I thank God for him every night.

I'll try harder to post more.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Happy Mother's Day! 

And a Happy Mother's Day to the Moms who have animal for kids.

In a Daze!

The past few weeks have been really crazy!  Between 3 farmers markets, baking cookies, getting ready for photography shows, yard work, office work, social media, meetings, making travel plans for the end of this month and getting ready for a visit from my sister and my nieces (who I haven't seen in over 5 years) I am slightly overwhelmed!  And I don't even have kids, but I do have dogs and a cat.  I have been trying real hard to organize my time so I can do it all and still have me time.  I am trying to stay 1 step ahead, but it isn't working.  So what am I to do?  Stop....breathe and start again.....slowly.  It can all be done, I just have to figure out how.

 



Okay so I grab the camera and go shooting!  That will help clear my head.  I have been practicing my landscapes.  I took this photo Saturday and I love it!  What do you think of it?

 I also wanted to update you on my backyard birds.  Bird activity has been kinda quiet.  Yesterday I did notice the Eastern Bluebird is back checking out the other birdhouse.  As I had mentioned previously the Tree Swallows have moved into one of the houses (eastern exposure) and they for a long time would chase away any birds that might be interested in the other birdhouse, but yesterday the Eastern Bluebird was back hanging around the house all day and part of today.  The Tree Swallows just watch the Eastern Bluebird as he/she became comfortable in the house.  So the possibility of having a Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird fledglings are good.  But as always time will tell.  Hopefully I can get better shots of both birds. 




Well please hang with me as I try to get organized and get back on track.

Have a great day!

The Catbird

This week is for the Catbird. 



This lovely bird is about the size of a Robin and it is gray with a black patch on its head and a reddish brown under its tail.  The Catbird sometimes sounds like a cat and I have often seen them dive bomb cats. 

 
 

I believe I have a nesting pair near by since they frequent the bird feeder.  I think they are in the Barberry shrubs which are quite large and very safe from predators since the shrub is loaded with thorns.



Well as far as the Tree Swallows goes they have taken up residence in the birdhouse that has the eastern exposure.  They have been in and out of that house often.  Apparently they are quite tolerant of people, I have been able to get quite close to the house with the female watching my every move while I weed the garden.  I also talk to her so she will get used to my voice.  I don't know it that will do any good, but why not.  Watch for new photos coming soon.

I added another birder feeder post.  I am using it for the Hummingbirds.  I hope to get another Hummingbird feeder soon.  I still don't know why they don't share.  Anybody out there know?

It seems that the birds are not visiting the feeders as much right now.  Which is probably because there is plenty of their natural food out there.

See more of my backyard birds on my website.

A Visiting Nuthatch



The White-Breasted Nuthatch has been a frequent visitor at the feeder.  He or she would fly in get a sunflower seed and take off again.  Rarely stays around very long.  Fun little bird to watch.



The Tree Swallows have been around and have decided to use both of the birdhouses.  Which doesn't seem quite fair, but what to do.  I did notice the Eastern Bluebird was back and was chased away by the Tree Swallows, so I guess there is not chance of the Eastern Bluebird moving into the other birdhouse.  Apparently from what I have read about the Tree Swallaws is that they are very territorial and will chase off other Swallows and birds.  I guess I put the houses to close together.  Live and learn.  I guess I will have to make some changes for next year.  I have been able to get quite close to the Swallows.  So when the rain decides to end I will be spending some time out there photographing them.

Other frequent visitors are the Mourning Doves.  Love having these birds around!  Their cooing is so calming to me.


The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak both male and females have been back to the feeder.  It was nice to see them back.

The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are still around and eating up the sugar water we made for them.  I have seen 1 male and 3 females and most of the time they don't share the feeder.  Not really sure why.

The Cowbird who have been hanging around the Tree Swallow birdhouses.  I'm wondering if they will lay some eggs in their nest for the Swallows to raise.  That could be interesting!  

 The usual Sparrows and Goldfinches have been around as well as a pair of Cat birds.

I will try to get some new photos in next week.



Tuesdays for the Birds!











Here are the photos the Evening Grosbeak, Rose breasted Grosbeak and the Cowbirds I had talked about in my last Tuesday post, who I haven't seen since my last post.  The Cowbirds on the other hand have been here everyday.  I do want to mention that the photo below are the male Cowbirds, the females are a dark taupe color. 
There have been no signs of the Eastern Bluebird or the Eastern Phoebe, although I do hear the Eastern Phoebe close by, but I don't think she will be nesting with us this year.








 

The past week when we did get some sunshine (which lately have been few and far between) I saw that the Tree Swallows were back and taking a serious look at the birdhouses.  At first I wasn't quite sure if they were ready to buy, but after a day or two they finally made that huge decision to buy the house.  Closing was a few days ago and they have been moving in the furniture (nesting materials) in preparation of the new family.  I really hope they like the new neighborhood.  They will make a great addition! 
I wonder if the Sparrow fledglings and the Tree Swallow fledglings will play in the garden?  Kidding.....  I am thrilled that they moved in, I honestly didn't expect any new tenants until next year.  At this point I am slowly moving about my garden so they can start getting used to me being around.  I am looking forward to some great photo opportunities with the Tree Swallow.

I have had some new visitors to the feeder this week.....one of them is a Ruby Throated Hummingbird which I am trying to photograph.  Hopefully I will have photos next Tuesday. 





Stay tuned for more photos,new visitors and Tree Swallow updates.......