Saturday, June 18, 2011

Baby rescue!

This morning, we were out watering...we're just trying to keep alive what we've got, nothing more. No grass, no exotic natives. Anway, a mockingbird kept fussing at me. I just laughed and fussed right back. I did notice that it was carrying a worm or some insect in its beak. But–DUH–I didn't think any further than that.

Along comes James later. I was busy still laughing at the mockingbird when James pointed to our flame acanthus. A BABY perched within the branches! That's why the adult had been yelling at me! DUH! James got a ladder, and I scooped up the little bird child in my hands. I tried to set it high on an oak branch, full of ball moss. But it tumbled off. So this time, I set it in a leafy elbow bush. Success! Several times today, I've checked on the baby, and it's doing fine. Both parents are busy feeding it. Naturally, when I showed up with my camera, one got VERY perturbed with me. Again.










Thursday, June 16, 2011

Turkey Lurkey and someone new


Our neighbhood wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) has become a regular in our Wildscape. We're not sure yet if it's a male or female. I'm guessing an immature male. Amid the brown grass and burnt vegetation, the goofy bird is a welcome addition to our wild kingdom. The other evening, I was sitting on our rock patio, and here came Turkey Lurkey. It strolled down our garden paths, visited a bird bath or two, and scratched in the flower beds. Then along came a territorial mockingbird. That tough guy dove and chased the turkey until it gave up and jumped the fence into the front yard. Later, I saw the turkey way high in an oak, getting ready to roost for the night.






Earlier this week, we also had a juvenile green heron (Butorides virescens) visit our Wildscape. From my office window, I watched it practice its fishing skills...in our very shallow bird bath! That was a hoot. We didn't realize our pretty those little herons are, especially their sage green legs and feet.






Since I had my long lens out, I shot a few images (not great) of other visitors at the bird bath outside my office window...

Northern cardinal (female)
Inca dove
House finch (male)
Titmouse

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Texas bluebells


Last week, I was on assignment near Meridian northwest of Waco. On my way home, I passed by a large patch of blue flowers. I did a doubletake, then I turned around and went back. Could those have been bluebells? Sure enough, I was right! A whole field of Texas bluebells! They were blooming right off Highway 22 behind a fence, not far from the city limits signs (north side of Cranfills Gap). I only saw one more group of them on the road home, and now I can't remember where those were (I'm old). But aren't they just beautiful?