Most of the winter migrants have gone for the season, to return in a few months time.









The barred owls are year round residents



So are the butterflies



The cardinals also stay year round, and have started nesting



As have the local sandhill cranes



Looking forward to seeing more babies soon!

It has been a good year for painted buntings and hummingbirds. Numbers seem to be picking up since the cold spell a couple of weeks ago.



Interesting coloring on this green bird, possibly switching to male plumage. The teal color is unusual.





As always, the birdbaths are popular.







Bark anole. Noticing these becoming more common.



Atalas



Other local wildlife of interest includes bobcat sightings last month.



Sunrise



Assassin bug



Sundew

Having a restful Thanksgiving weekend enjoying the garden and local nature.

It has been another good year for hummingbirds.













A regal toad



Sunrises.

There are definite signs of fall in the air. Two scruffy little painted buntings have arrived, and several hummingbirds. We are very happy to see them.











We've had some box turtle visitors too.





Some shots from recent outings:

First time seeing a baby glossy ibis



Purple gallinule and chicks







Black bellied whistling duck



Tricolor herons







Some type of skipper



Least bittern



Great egret

Here are the last few shots from the spring before the heat came and most of the birds left. Cardinals, bluejays, and great crested flycatchers are still here.









Baby cardinal

This has been our best year for hummingbirds. At one point, practically every where you looked there was a hummingbird! They were feeding up for migration and putting on quite a show.











We are still seeing one or two each day, and they will probably be gone within the next week or so.

Goldfinches have also moved on. We still have a few stragglers, along with a single indigo bunting.







Painted buntings still around. We are seeing a lot more today, likely to be migrants from the south moving through. We've also seen a few warblers like black and white, northern parula, black throated blue, redstart, and prairie.





The highlight of the past week has been the cardinal family. The fledglings are ranging all around the yard.



The bluejays are also nesting and I hope they bring their fledglings too!

A walk in the local park revealed a lovely little sandhill crane family









Meadowlark duet



Sunrise









Ornate bella moth



Coreopsis and friend



At home, we are starting to see some early spring warblers like northern parula.







Looking forward to seeing more migrants soon!

While the rest of the country is in a deep freeze, we are "enjoying" temps in the high 80's today!

This rabbit is not pleased



The birds are appreciating the birdbath







Flowers like the warmer weather











Blue bee





Hummingbirds, goldfinches, and ovenbirds visit every day

We started with two goldfinches at the feeders. Within a week we have seen at least 10 and many more flying around!

They are such funny little things.







The buntings don't mind them because they eat different seed from separate feeders, so no competition.





The hummingbirds really enjoy the Wendy's Wish salvia.



It has been cooler lately and fewer bugs and reptiles. Did find a corn snake snoozing in an old plant pot.



Sulphur



Winter blooms