Vacation Birds

We vacationed in the Smoky Mountains last week. I got to add a few new birds to my lifelist: common raven, belted kingfisher, cedar waxwing, and carolina wren. Of course we saw lots of other birds, too.

Following are a couple pictures from vacation, followed by a couple pictures taken at a local metropark.

Cedar waxwing

Wild turkey

Indigo bunting

Gray catbird

Young American Robin

Stopping for a Snack

At the Park

While the kids and I were exploring the nearby metropark, we saw 2 bobolinks calling to each other and 3 pileated woodpeckers flying together from tree to tree. The kids thought the bobolink's song was really pretty. Sadly, I didn't have my good camera with me, so I couldn't get a good picture of the woodpeckers. I'll try to go back with my good camera (and without the kids) sometime next week.

Bluejay Babies

These bluejay fleglings have been hanging out in my cottonwood tree the past couple afternoons.

A Good Father

I was delighted to see these downy woodpeckers in the tree in my backyard this afternoon. The fledgling waited patiently for Dad to find some food while I took her picture.

The Hummers Have Arrived

Finally! More than a month after hanging the hummingbird feeder I finally had my first hummer of the season. It was a male ruby-throated hummingbird and he was teeny tiny! I'm surprised the wind didn't blow him away! I'm looking forward to watching them flit around the yard this summer.

Here are a couple mute swans I saw last week at one of the local metroparks. They are not native to this area but are appearing here more frequently.

I also saw an osprey looking for his dinner and a rose-breasted grosbeak while out earlier this week.