Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Feeding Time


Feeding time.

This is a Lincoln's Sparrow, as near as I could figure it.  The nest was in our front yard in the tree next to this one and the offspring kept mom-or dad--busy bringing food.
I haven't seen it around for several days. After I took this picture I tried to find the nest and junior came flying out.
I think it flew the coop recently and that makes the parents free to go about their important bird business.
It's getting on that time of year when the birds who are only here for the summer pack their beaks for the trip south.  I'm sorry to see them go as the yard gets pretty quiet once they leave. 
We've had a few pine siskins around, and we have our faithful goldfinches, but I think this is the first year Lincoln's Sparrows have blessed us.
I hope they nest here often.

16 comments:

Tabor said...

Many of ours stay year round...but do disappear into the woods once the little ones are fledged. This one is so small.

messymimi said...

What a quiet world this would be without birdsong. Listening to them is my favorite part of hanging the laundry each morning.

Leah J. Utas said...

We have some all year long, too, Tabor. Sadly, the songs are only in spring and summer.

Messymimi, that's so true. Erm, laundry every morning?

Writing Without Periods! said...

I love to watch birds. I have a birdbath right out side my window where I write. They fascinate me.
Mary

the Bag Lady said...

Lovely little sparrow!

I, too, shall miss the birdsong when they fly south. I enjoy their serenades every morning when I go out to feed the calf. This morning I heard a hawk - there's something haunting about their cry.
On my way to work yesterday morning, I saw a pair of sandhill cranes. Unfortunately, I was driving, and my camera was tucked away. If there hadn't been traffic behind me, I would have pulled over to take a picture.

Ron Scheer said...

An advantage of living in the desert is the presence of birds and birdsong year round. My wife and I especially delight in the hummingbirds. The cactus wrens have a wonderful joyous chattering "song" and they can't sit still when they perch - keep hopping around.

On the ground, there are quail, who make a chuckling sound and get the award for being downright cute. The occasional road runner is also a treat. Walking in the hills, you can watch crows sailing and playing on the updrafts, seeming to call out with pleasure to each other.

I'd love to do something about the cats that roam the neighborhood - and the owners who have abandoned them. Every once in a while I find the feathered remnants of their "meals" in the backyard or on the front door step.

Leah J. Utas said...

Mary, I like to watch them, too.

Bag Lady, I totally agree about the haunting call of the hawk.Sorry you missed out on the sandhill crane pics, but at least you saw them.

Leah J. Utas said...

Ron, I love your description of the bird songs. You have hummingbirds all the time? That's wonderful. We see them for a few months here and they do not care for my yard.
I hear you about cats. I love them, but they will be cats.

Reb said...

Ha, I almost posted my photos of the babies being fed in the bird house outside the patio... I'll do it in a few days when the memory of how beautiful your shots are fades.

Leah J. Utas said...

Reb, I'd love to see those pics.

And thanks.

Nancy said...

It's quite busy here. I think at least two robin hatchings from the same nest. I've watched a pair of red-tailed hawks glide in the air currents right outside our house for the last few days.

Leah J. Utas said...

Nancy, that sounds just wonderful. There's something soothing about birds in flight.

Barbara Martin said...

I checked my bird book for North America, and your photos look a bit like the Savannah Sparrow (16 subspecies). These migrate south.

Well taken shots, Leah.

Leah J. Utas said...

Barbara, I agree. They kind of do. Rocky Mountain House is one of the best spots for seeing Lincoln's Sparrows.

Hilary said...

What a little beauty. I'm also getting such a kick out of the birds which visit my place, Frank's area and up at the cottage. Such variety.. such entertainment. Fine shots, Leah.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Hilary.
I enjoy the birdlife we get here. They really perk the place up.