Tag: birds

The Colony

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Catherine Johnson

I decided to let Barn Swallows build another nest on the upper deck of my house this year.  One group of three successfully flew away and stuck around as seen in the pictures of them on the power ines.    We were hoping we could clean the deck as it also holds my daughter’s mini greenhouse and a seating area. 

Mom had her second batch in a few days as seen in up close pics.  We hope to install a swallow nesting structure, but nothing  will be safer than where they are. We did add  a fan that blows air under the nest. 

Mom and Dad fed the first bunch on the power lines until they began to fly out to meet the parents and take the food. Then they hunted for short periods low to the ground and one day they flew away to find, I believe, the nearby pond.  They are back now with their parents overlooking the siblings and the new colony.

Water…All Creatures Need It

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

Once again, we are breaking records for the heat here in Texas and the world.

I think that this is the new normal. My opinion…

So, there are a few simple things we can do for the wildlife.

One, we can provide water for them. It can be more important than food.

Containers that are not too deep are best.  Place the containers under some shade if possible. Dump old water out as often as you can, and put fresh water in. That will keep the mosquitos to a minimum.  

Birds need a perch of some kind to feel safe. There are lots of things you use for this. You can use cow panels, trellis, and  old tree limbs. Be creative.

Here are a few photos of water containers I use.

I also put the sprinkler on for about 30 minutes each day. They love that.

You will find many birds, mammals, and reptiles drinking from the water you provide.

Remember the little creatures we love.

Bunny and Friends

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Donna Lewis

More good stuff outside. Grab your camera and go look.

I had just put out some bird seeds for the squirrels and the Doves. I put some for them on the ground to keep them from crowding the bird feeders.

I don’t know if you are aware of it, but White-tail bunnies (cottontails) like bird seed!  I was surprised also. But they do. They come every day now. I had a hard time getting a photo though, because they wanted to run if I got too close. Sometimes there is a fight between everyone wanting the seeds, including Doves, Cardinals, Blue Jays, squirrels, and many others.

Also, on our front porch is a nest full of baby Phoebes just about ready to leave the nest.

Here’s one of their parents watching them dutifully from our doggie yard.

Then while on my walk, I found a Red-eared Slider laying eggs down by our front gate.

What a Spring and Summer we are having. The rains have produced abundant field grass and insects.  Eat up my friends. And please, eat all the mosquitoes you can!

Remember who’s out there.

Baby Bluebird Visitors

Sue Ann (Suna) KendallLeave a comment

by Eric Neubauer

A bluebird family dropped by. While they hadn’t nested here, they came to visit daily for a while.

Missed photos: all three lined up on the edge of the porch roof; two fledglings on the feeder while a hummingbird closely studied them from all sides.

It’s bad enough that they’ve had to share the feeder with paper wasps, jumping spiders, and a rare praying mantis.