Thursday, July 09, 2009

Pssst. Anybody out there?

I've got lots of catching up to do. :)

The birdhouse at the end of our front porch has seen a ton of activity this year. A pair of bluebirds used it for their first brood of the season and it was awesome to watch them working to build a nest. And of course, I always enjoy watching them carry food into the box (and fecal sacks out). As the babies grew, they got loud when the parents landed on top of the house with food! Right before they fledged, I got to see little bluebird faces peeking out the opening of the box. That was cool. Then the parents headed out to the garden birdhouse to start their second clutch.

Taking advantage of the vacancy, a titmouse family moved into the box on the porch. Boy, did that start a war! Even though the bluebirds had already moved into the other box, they didn't want anybirdy else using this one! Fortunately, after a few incidents of screaming and feather pulling, things settled down and the egg laying and hatching continued. I enjoyed observing the titmouse pair tending to their family.

An interesting note about the titmice: for years, they've nested underneath the porch, right below where the birdhouse hangs. They industriously carried nesting material in between the lattice slats and later, food for the babies. It was neat watching them go in and out of the openings. I don't know why they decided to move into the birdhouse this year.

I can't close without a parrot update! Rio and Pancho are doing great, and are as noisy and active as ever. I've had Rio for 23 years now and Panchie for 18. Hard to believe.

Thanks to a minor improvement in my Internet service, I'm able to actually post to my blog! I sure hope the little boost in speed continues. Until I post again, y'all take care and spend a few minutes watching birds. :)

6 comments:

Hilary said...

I've been noticing and watching all sorts of birds lately.. thanks mostly to Frank. It's quite amazing just how many come to visit through the course of a season. Thanks for your visit to my blog today. :)

Mary said...

Ann,

I certainly do remember you and thanks for stopping by my Writing Nook so I could follow the link to your blog.

Loved reading about the bluebird and titmouse families. I love bluebirds but there aren't a lot of them in this area. We do see them on occasion.

So nice to be back in contact.
Blessings,
Mary

Frank Baron said...

Okay, so you weren't fibbing. ;)

While I don't think I could spend all day with binocs to my eyes, I've definitely become one of "those" bird people over the last couple of years. I love watching them go about their business.

Glad you're back in action Anne. Looking forward to more regular posts. Great new pic too. :)

Anne C. Watkins said...

Hilary, thanks for the visit and comment! I dropped by your blog again today to catch up on what I've missed and really enjoyed myself. Your photography is awesome and you have a wonderful way with words. And judging by all the beautiful nature shots you posted, I bet birdwatching there is fantastic! :)

Mary, thanks for coming by! We had some fun at Suite back in the day, didn't we? I'm looking forward to catching up on all your news, so I'll be back to visit your blog again soon. I can't believe how big those boys have gotten. :)

Hiya, Frank. You're becoming one of 'those' bird people, huh? rofl! I'm glad you're getting into birdwatching. It's a fun club. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Re: the pic. Thanks! :D

Renie Burghardt said...

Hey there!!!!

I just happened to notice the comment on the 4th of July post, now. And there you were! I am so glad you're back, Anne! Whew, that's a lot of exclamation points. Hehe.

I love to watch the birds. Have a pair of titmice nesting here as well, and the Phoebe's are raising their second brood already. Lots of fun bird activity.

I am glad to read that Pancho and Rio are doing so well, and still making a ruckus. I still have the one little dove of mine, too. And by the way, you're looking good yourself, lady!

Well, I'd better go for now. Just got home. Hope everyone is well on the home front.

Happy Hugs,

Renie xoxo

Anne C. Watkins said...

Hi Renie! It's so nice to 'see' you again! :)

So you still have your little dove, huh? How old is he/she now? They can live for a long, long time when they get good care like yours has. Does it still coo a lot?

I loved the picture of you on the jet ski. I bet the only reason we haven't seen you on a surf board is because there aren't many places to surf in Missouri. LOL

See you around again soon, my friend! *hugs*

xoxoxox