peep, peep, crack

Things seem to be going to the birds 'round here lately. Last night when I went to tuck the chickens in there were peeping sounds  underneath my broody hen. This morning there we two chicks  (mama wasn't into the idea of my photographing her babies this morning) and three, as of yet, unhatched eggs. 

I really wasn't wanting to start the chick process again as it seems we just got the last set of young chickens integrated into the flock. But this broody hen was determined to sit on something. Rather than use my own eggs I asked for eggs from a friend who has a breed (I don't remember the name) that she really loves. She started out with seven eggs but two mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

In the past I have turned the upstairs bathroom into chick nursery but it's a messy process so I've decided to let the mama keep the chicks "down under" and see how that goes.

growing up

Dad and Mom bird are both working hard to fill these two mouths while keeping clear of Lily's.

peeps

These two little ones are seeing the world from between the support beams and the metal roof of our front porch. It's a scary view from their perch with a bird-loving dog living directly underneath them.

sluth shot

The following two critters make regular appearances in our yard...and yet they scurry so quickly whenever a human comes in sight that it's tricky to get a good picture.

With my sluth photography skills I recently captured decent photos of a Quail and a Ground Squirrel (that's what I call them but I don't know their official name)....through the dining room window.

bird brain

It's that time of year...egg laying season. I'm always amazed that any momma bird would consider locating her precious clutch anywhere in Lily's territory. Lily is know for the delight she takes in chasing things....including birds. She's even been known to bark at birds that fly in her airspace. Thankfully she seldom catches the things she chases but there are occasions....

A morning dove built this twiggy nest on top of  stack of shelves on Jay's outdoor workbench. The workbench is located inside the dog fence. A smaller bird chose a little cubby between the cross beam and the metal roofing at our front door where Lily spend most of her outdoor hours.

A third nest is somewhat more appropriately located high in the crook of the arm of a Saguaro cactus out back. The other day I went to fetch Lily from the rocks at the bottom of the cactus. I thought she was stalking a lizard but found an walnut sized baby bird scurrying for cover from the big white monster.

I'm thinking these mama birds need to take a realty 101 class...location, location, location.

baby birds

First it was the mama bird, now these two little babies, driving Lily buggy by sitting in her Mesquite tree. She has run, barked, jumped, and stood on her hind legs, everything short of climbing the tree, to try to encourage them to leave but so far has had no success.

owl sunset

 

We have an owl that frequents our neighborhood.   I often hear him but rarely see him. When he does show himself it is typically too dark to even think of photographing him. Just the other day, however, I heard him questioning before the sun had completely set. I grabbed my camera and followed the who-ing hoping to spot him before I startled him and he relocated elsewhere. I found him on the phone pole a stones throw down the street and was pleased to click the shutter a couple of times capturing  his silhouette.

birds of a feather

aftenoon dove

Tuesday afternoon I stopped by our friend's house in time to see the two baby Morning Doves on their first adventure from the nest. They had moved about 10 feet to the front porch railing where they rested while I did a little nature photo shoot.