Barn Swallow in Ozona, TX

4/15/2012 - Nicholas and Wabbaloo

While traveling to Carlsbad, NM, we observed quite a few barn swallows at a rest stop just outside of Ozona, TX.  They were perched under a shade above a back door of the store there.

Been on a Trip!

4/15/12-Nicholas

   Sorry we haven't been posting, we've been in New Mexico!!!

Cardinals at the birdfeeder

4/6/12-Nicholas

   Just now I saw a male and female cardinal at our bird feeder feeding at the same time. Sadly I only got pictures of the female cardinal though, but that is still good.

                                                 

Attractive Bluebonnets

4/2/12-Nicholas

      These bluebonnets help attract birds and butterflies to our backyard.  These aren't the only flowers we use to attract birds and butterflies, but one of the prettiest!

                             

These bluebonnets were planted last year by me, Nicholas, right by our bird feeder.  Cardinals are often coming to our red-tips to the left of these bluebonnets.

Chipping Sparrow

3/25/2012 -- Wabbaloo


This one is a Chipping Sparrow -- finally was able to ID it once I could get online and do some research.  I thought at first this one was the "baby" with the possible "parent" Oriole from the last post, but it appears not to be.  I think.  

Oriole (?) ==> Black-Headed Grosbeak (!) sighting at the feeder

3/24/2012 -- Nicholas (edited 3/26/2012)

Looks like this is a Black-Headed Grosbeak.  Time to do some reading up on them, maybe we can keep them around for awhile.  Thanks to all for your help.

Just this morning, I discovered what we think is an Oriole at our bird feeder along with a male cardinal.  It looked like they were competing for the feeder.  When the cardinal flew away, the Oriole fed for a few minutes then flew away.  Then, a baby Oriole flew up to the feeder and the parent Oriole watched from a tree.  We think that the baby Oriole was either an Orchard Oriole or a male Baltimore Oriole, but it's hard to tell.  Please take a look at the pictures below and let us know what you think.

Debut of the Birdside Viewers

The idea for this blog sprung from my wish to document and share what I'm doing to spruce up my backyard. Luckily, my two oldest kids are very scientifically inclined and love to document their birdwatching activities. So, this blog will include backyard-sprucing-up and birdwatching.  My oldest son, known as "The Handsome One," will be "in charge" of the birdwatching posts.  My oldest daughter, known as "The Precious One" will also contribute.  They both love to watch and discover birds.  Please stay tuned as we report our activities, findings, and discoveries.