Birds...

It was a birdy day in my garden with all sorts of nesting activity happening.  And it was also a morning of Yellow-rumped Warblers with multiple males singing up in the trees.  This one dropped down to eye level for the briefest of moments - fortunately the camera was already in hand and halfway to my eye which allowed me to get a shot.  Wish this showed is yellow rump, but maybe another day...

The day started with an epic battle in the lower yard at the box that the Tree Swallows have been guarding for the last few weeks.  A pair of bluebirds (maybe the same pair that has been here off an on) and waged war on the swallows, finally driving them from the box.  At one point, the male bluebird had the male swallow on the ground.  I kept a distance (too far for photographs) knowing that they needed to work out the conflict without my intervention.  Both are native species, both are wonderful nest box tenants, both are welcome in my garden.  Just a shame that both wanted the same box.  Anyway, the bluebirds seem to have claimed victory and immediately set about adding to the nest that was already started (by the swallows). The female was very busy gathering big beaks full of grass and carrying them to the box while the male stood guard. I will put a couple of images in Extra - not great because I was staying a good distance away, but enough get the story.) First image shows male and female on the box after the battle.  Second shows female with a big load of nesting material.

After the battle, I quickly put another box up in the front garden and within minutes, the swallows were checking it out.  So, maybe I will get lucky and both pairs will settle in and nest.

We had a few brief rain showers during the day, but mostly it's been very nice with overcast skies.  I'm hearing the distant rumble of thunder right now, so we may yet get some heavier rain.  

Hubs is feeling somewhat better although he's still dragging a bit.  He has (wisely) decided to skip karate tonight.  

We finished watching season 2 of Taylor Sheridan's 1923 last night and both decided that is was mediocre.  Too much violence for me and I thought the acting was very spotty.  But mostly, I just didn't like the way the series wrapped up with so many of the key characters dying.  We'll try something a little less dark tonight.

xoxo
Debbi