We, and the birds, are really enjoying this new bird bath.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
More from the Bubbler
This time it is the Prothonotary Warbler splashing about.
We, and the birds, are really enjoying this new bird bath.
We, and the birds, are really enjoying this new bird bath.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Happy Birthday!
While I was inside working Patty was out and about in the yard.
And she spotted this:
A newly emerged Dragonfly. You can see the exoskeleton it emerged form on the rock.
Do insects have multiple 'birthdays'? One for each transition?
I turned 60 today.
And Patty made me a fantabulous birthday dinner. With a chocolate chip cheesecake for desert. Very yummy!
And she spotted this:
 |
| Image courtesy Patty Rehn |
A newly emerged Dragonfly. You can see the exoskeleton it emerged form on the rock.
 |
| Image courtesy Patty Rehn |
Do insects have multiple 'birthdays'? One for each transition?
🎂 🐞 🎂 🐞 🎂
In other news ...I turned 60 today.
And Patty made me a fantabulous birthday dinner. With a chocolate chip cheesecake for desert. Very yummy!
Meanwhile in the Old Bird Bath
In the Better Bird Bubbler Bath Bird Pix post I noted how I'd not seen the Hooded Warbler take a dip in the Bubbler.
It had no qualms splashing about in the old school non-bubbling bird bath.
And I got to watch from the comfort of my air-conditioned living room.
It had no qualms splashing about in the old school non-bubbling bird bath.
And I got to watch from the comfort of my air-conditioned living room.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Better Bird Bubbler Bath Bird Pix
We were surprised and delighted when a Hooded Warbler visited the Bubbler.
I had mentioned in The Busy Bubbler post that we had heard them calling earlier this spring. But hadn't spotted one until it visited the Bubbler.
This one was very wary of the many Tufted Titmouse which frequent the Bubbler, and the other bird baths, in our Feeder Garden.
And I've yet to see it actually take a dip in the Bubbler pond.
A bird of the forest understory, an understory largely destroyed around here by deer, perhaps it is the deer fence, and the resultant lush gardens this year, that have kept them around. It would be nice if that were so.
It would also be nice to see a female and young. But so far, it has just been male birds. Presumably the same bird each time.
Still a very good yard bird.
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
I had mentioned in The Busy Bubbler post that we had heard them calling earlier this spring. But hadn't spotted one until it visited the Bubbler.
This one was very wary of the many Tufted Titmouse which frequent the Bubbler, and the other bird baths, in our Feeder Garden.
And I've yet to see it actually take a dip in the Bubbler pond.
A bird of the forest understory, an understory largely destroyed around here by deer, perhaps it is the deer fence, and the resultant lush gardens this year, that have kept them around. It would be nice if that were so.
It would also be nice to see a female and young. But so far, it has just been male birds. Presumably the same bird each time.
Still a very good yard bird.
🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
Northern Gray ? Frog
Foot Frog?
Table Frog?
Umbrella Frog?
House Frog?
Of course these are Northern Gray Tree Frogs. We've seen plenty around the yard.
Never once in a tree.
They do like the deck umbrella though. Open it up and it's raining frogs!
Table Frog?
Umbrella Frog?
House Frog?
🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸 🐸
Of course these are Northern Gray Tree Frogs. We've seen plenty around the yard.
Never once in a tree.
They do like the deck umbrella though. Open it up and it's raining frogs!
Brachyleptura champlaini
A Longhorn Flower Beetle. Seen here on a flower.
Info on this critter is hard to come by. For example, this is the entirety of the Wikipedia entry:
"Brachyleptura champlaini is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Casey in 1913".
Info on this critter is hard to come by. For example, this is the entirety of the Wikipedia entry:
"Brachyleptura champlaini is a species of beetle in the family Cerambycidae. It was described by Casey in 1913".
Not all that illuminating.
I was able to discover that the larva of this species feed on pine trees. And although we live in the Pinelands National Reserve, we don't actually have all that many pine trees on our property.
But it seems there was enough food for at least one Brachyleptura champlaini beetle to make it to adulthood.
Better Bubbler Bird Bath Bird Pix
Mammal edition.
It seems, contrary to my claims in The Busy Bubbler post, Eastern Gray Squirrels do sit still for pictures.
Long enough to zoom in even. Alas, I wasn't fast enough when there were two squirrels at the bubbler pond. Maybe next time ...
It seems, contrary to my claims in The Busy Bubbler post, Eastern Gray Squirrels do sit still for pictures.
Long enough to zoom in even. Alas, I wasn't fast enough when there were two squirrels at the bubbler pond. Maybe next time ...
Better Bird Bath Bubbler Bird Pix
This time it is a Common Grackle that went for a dip.
It appears to be a young bird, one that has been hanging about the yard for several weeks now.
This bubblier pond is really proving to be a hit with the locals.
Another of Patty's good garden ideas.
It appears to be a young bird, one that has been hanging about the yard for several weeks now.
This bubblier pond is really proving to be a hit with the locals.
Another of Patty's good garden ideas.
Monday, July 27, 2020
A Visitor to the Fish Pond
One of the nice things about working form home is there's no rush to get to work. Rush hour is relax hour. So I can enjoy my morning cup of coffee, knowing it's a short walk to the 'office'.
And this morning I enjoyed that coffee on the deck, and I spotted something different in the fish pond.
A turtle.
A Common Snapping Turtle.
I wonder how long it's been living there. Hiding among the reeds and in the depths.
It was rather wary of us, even up on the deck. Diving for cover whenever we moved.
It is now early evening, and Snappy Is still in the same place I spotted it this morning. Hiding in the reeds in front of the filter pump box.
This pond is lined by large rocks, as this image from last November shows, nicely without the summer vegetation. Snappy hangs out at the lower lefthand corner.
Not many avenues for a turtle to climb out. Or in for that matter. Concerned it had got itself trapped, I put a board in allowing easy egress. We'll see if it sticks around or if it is looking to leave.
Either way, a cool visitor.
And this morning I enjoyed that coffee on the deck, and I spotted something different in the fish pond.
A turtle.
A Common Snapping Turtle.
I wonder how long it's been living there. Hiding among the reeds and in the depths.
It was rather wary of us, even up on the deck. Diving for cover whenever we moved.
It is now early evening, and Snappy Is still in the same place I spotted it this morning. Hiding in the reeds in front of the filter pump box.
This pond is lined by large rocks, as this image from last November shows, nicely without the summer vegetation. Snappy hangs out at the lower lefthand corner.
Not many avenues for a turtle to climb out. Or in for that matter. Concerned it had got itself trapped, I put a board in allowing easy egress. We'll see if it sticks around or if it is looking to leave.
Either way, a cool visitor.
Cedar Waxwings
A Cedar Waxwing, a very elegant looking regular although uncommon visitor to our yard.
One of my favorite yard critters. With a tail dipped in yellow paint.
They eat berries. And we've planted a variety of berry producing plants here.
They have a very high pitched call, easy to miss as one gets older. I can still hear it, and as soon as I do I start looking. Scanning the trees. But more often than not they passed through unnoticed.
Cedar Waxwings usually travel in groups. And sure enough in both of the visits shown here there were multiple birds in the willow and crabapple trees. Although only one was in a position to be photographed. No matter, they are always welcome.
Bye-bye.
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
One of my favorite yard critters. With a tail dipped in yellow paint.
They eat berries. And we've planted a variety of berry producing plants here.
They have a very high pitched call, easy to miss as one gets older. I can still hear it, and as soon as I do I start looking. Scanning the trees. But more often than not they passed through unnoticed.
Cedar Waxwings usually travel in groups. And sure enough in both of the visits shown here there were multiple birds in the willow and crabapple trees. Although only one was in a position to be photographed. No matter, they are always welcome.
Bye-bye.
🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Better Bubbler Bird Bath Bird Pix
In The Busy Bubbler post I mentioned that the Louisiana Waterthrush had visited both of the bubbler baths. I had a trail cam pic for the Bench Garden Bubbler (aka BBBB).
And I used a 'real' camera to get pics at the Feeder Garden Bubbler.
We've seen and heard this species around the yard before.
I've noted before that we back up to state forest, and a shallow slow moving section of the Rancocas Creek. Prime habitat.
Lucky for us, and now you, they wander into the yard from time to time.
Bye-bye.
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
And I used a 'real' camera to get pics at the Feeder Garden Bubbler.
We've seen and heard this species around the yard before.
I've noted before that we back up to state forest, and a shallow slow moving section of the Rancocas Creek. Prime habitat.
Lucky for us, and now you, they wander into the yard from time to time.
Bye-bye.
🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦
You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
The Busy Bubbler
The Bubbler Bird Bath (aka BBB) has turned out to be the place to be during this heat wave.
At least if you're a yard critter.
And these trail cam images are the proof.
The Prothonotary Warbler has been a regular visitor.
As have Black and White Warblers.
And while the previous two species have frequently been seen about the yard, this next warbler has been much more elusive, heard but not often seen.
Until now that is. This Hooded Warbler has been a repeat visitor.
Nighttime visitors include ...
... Northern Raccoons ...
... and Virginia Opossums.
Other mammals using the pond are Eastern Chipmunks, like the one above, and Eastern Gray Squirrels, which do not sit still for pictures.
Non-warbler avian guests are also taking advantage of the BBB.
The most common bird at the BBB, and in the gardens these days, are the Tufted Titmouses. Often scaring off the other birds.
Not scared off are the Mourning Doves.
Nor this Common Grackle.
Carolina Wrens don't seem afraid of any other birds (ok, maybe hawks).
Nor surprisingly are Chipping Sparrows. Which we had not seen around much of late. Now they visit every day.
The Back Bubbler Bird Bath (BBBB) has also seen its share of visitors, including several of the species above ...
... and this Louisiana Waterthrush (which has also since visited the BBB).
I think we can say that the Bubblers have been a smashing success.
And the best part, the BBB is visible from the sofa in our living room. Yep, while it is 90 plus degrees outside, we're watching in air-conditioned comfort.
Nice.
At least if you're a yard critter.
And these trail cam images are the proof.
The Prothonotary Warbler has been a regular visitor.
As have Black and White Warblers.
And while the previous two species have frequently been seen about the yard, this next warbler has been much more elusive, heard but not often seen.
Until now that is. This Hooded Warbler has been a repeat visitor.
Nighttime visitors include ...
... Northern Raccoons ...
... and Virginia Opossums.
Other mammals using the pond are Eastern Chipmunks, like the one above, and Eastern Gray Squirrels, which do not sit still for pictures.
Non-warbler avian guests are also taking advantage of the BBB.
The most common bird at the BBB, and in the gardens these days, are the Tufted Titmouses. Often scaring off the other birds.
Not scared off are the Mourning Doves.
Nor this Common Grackle.
Carolina Wrens don't seem afraid of any other birds (ok, maybe hawks).
Nor surprisingly are Chipping Sparrows. Which we had not seen around much of late. Now they visit every day.
The Back Bubbler Bird Bath (BBBB) has also seen its share of visitors, including several of the species above ...
... and this Louisiana Waterthrush (which has also since visited the BBB).
I think we can say that the Bubblers have been a smashing success.
And the best part, the BBB is visible from the sofa in our living room. Yep, while it is 90 plus degrees outside, we're watching in air-conditioned comfort.
Nice.
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