Summer is Here

Summer is in full swing around here.

Baltimore oriole and sparrow

Bubbles

bobolink

Trace

bobolink

squirrel

Myson

red-winged blackbird

bobolink

Popcorn

Baltimore oriole

Freddie

sparrow

I love the look of summer on the farm.

They’re Here!

I shared with you some of the birds I’ve seen around the farm last week.  I forgot to add the goldfinch

and the pair of thrashers.

This handsome fellow was strolling down the road.

pheasant

The oriole was trying to pick up the left-over llama fluff for her nest.

She tried taking too big of a chunk, so she never did get it.

I was happy to see these out in pasture.

bluebird

I think this is an orchard oriole.

red-headed woodpecker

But I have to say, I was thrilled when last Sunday I heard him.     (Audio from The Audubon Society)

The bobolinks are back!

One of the reasons I am so happy that they come and nest in my pasture is because Audubon does list them as a priority bird because of their declining numbers.

It was really exciting to get to see the pair of birds.

The girls are not usually as visible as the male.  He does kind of stand out in his breeding finery.  After the breeding season, they’ll both loose their colors and look a lot like female red-winged blackbirds.

I got to see the whole dancing and flirting (which is why the pictures are so cropped.  I didn’t want to disturb them.)

That’s why I always wait until after the first of July to make hay off my pastures.  I want to make sure they have a chance to raise their babies before we mow.

Wild Birds

I’ve been enjoying the wild birds on the farm.

Baltimore oriole

barn swallows

gray catbird

red-bellied woodpecker

eastern meadowlark

sparrow

Eastern Kingbird

gray catbird

red-winged blackbird pair

barn swallows

Baltimore oriole

Eastern meadowlark with a robin flying in

robin

But I still haven’t seen any of the bobolinks yet this summer.  I do hope they come back to nest.