Our Second Tree Frog of the Summer

Guess what?  I was looking out my patio door Friday morning and I noticed there was something in the birdhouse at the back of our yard.  Something was looking out of the hole.  I grabbed my camera and went for a closer look.  If this is a bird, then I'm taking down all of my birdfeeders!

I had to leave for work so I couldn't keep an eye on this "thing."  When I looked for him later in the day, he wasn't there; at least, he wasn't looking out of the opening.  Since Friday, I've looked for him in the birdhouse several times with no luck. 

I suspect this "thing" is a tree frog.  If you follow my blog, you know I spotted a brown tree frog in a different birdhouse a few days ago.  (I posted a picture of it in my last post).  He wasn't as creepy looking as this green one.

We've been doing a whole lot of watering the past several weeks.  Perhaps the frogs are attracted to our yard because of that.  

Life continues to be interesting right here in our own back yard.   

A Tree Frog in Our Birdhouse



We spotted this tree frog yesterday, peering out of the opening in one of our birdhouses.  We had trouble believing what we were seeing!   We'd heard of tree frogs and have heard the noise they make, but we'd never seen one until now.   

We climbed a ladder in the evening to get a closer look and to take this picture.  Nothing bothered him.  We used a flashlight to see him and even touched him.  He didn't budge.  I could see his throat vibrating so I know he was alive.

We're overrun with birdhouses (we like them for decorative purposes and we welcome and love when birds take up residence).  Most of them are empty.  A few of them will be occupied every summer by, well, by birds.  You can imagine our disbelief when we realized Mr. Treefrog had adopted this birdhouse, at least for a while, and was already comfortable enough to sit on the front porch. 

I've checked the birdhouse several times today but haven't seen him yet.  I sure hope he knows he's welcome to stay all summer!!

Closeup Observations of a Cardinal Nursery

I succeeded in getting a photo of a male cardinal feeding his fledglings.  In spite of the slight distortions from shooting this through our kitchen window, I'm happy to have captured this scene.

Although not crystal clear, that's the male above and the female below.  The fledglings also be seen with their mouths open wide.  I've spent a lot of time with my camera, standing at the window, trying to be discreet and yet determined to get as many pictures as possible.

The female cardinal takes her turn in the ongoing process of feeding the ravenous offspring.

Mama paused for a moment as if to say hello to me.  She's much more comfortable with me than Papa.  He usually flies off right away if he notices me. 

I imagined that Mama wanted to know what I was up to in my kitchen.  She enjoys watching me; she seems to appreciate the diversion. 

She has a wonderful personality.  We've had several interesting "conversations."

Mrs. Cardinal is an awesome listener.  She gave me her full attention.

The fledglings continue to demand and receive endless feedings throughout the day. 

I'm thankful that although they look like they're shrieking, the fledglings don't make so much as a peep.  Can you imagine if they cried like human babies?

I'm so fascinated with this cardinal family, I can't stop taking pictures.  Have you noticed?  Hah!

I can almost hear the song they appear to be singing.

"Holding my mouth open all day is exhausting!"

I took this picture outside on a ladder.  From this angle, we can see how much they've grown.  I'm not sure if the third egg hatched or not.  I can't see the egg or a third fledgling.

I've been worrying because of the many days of 100 degree weather we've been experiencing.  Occasionally, I mist the nest, hoping to provide some relief from the heat.   

In a rare moment, the proud parents posed for me.  Mama loves the camera.  Notice the tilt of her head!  Trust me, Papa disappeared before I could try for a better shot.

Cardinal Fledglings Two Days Old

I was lucky to get this face-to-face shot of one of our resident cardinal fledglings.  Is he comical or what!!  Ya just gotta love that face.

Fledglings need lots of quick naps between feedings.  They often strain their necks and open their mouths even when the adults aren't there.  Positive thinking? 

Their wide open mouths make it easy for the male and female adults to feed their young ones.  I would love to capture them being fed.  Trust me, I'll be trying. 

Hey, that's how I look when I wake up in the morning, stretch and yawn.

The third egg still hasn't hatched.  The other two broke open on Sunday, two days ago.  Maybe tomorrow will be the third fledgling's birthday.

I often find MaMa cardinal faithfully perched on the nest.  She's a trooper in spite of this long stretch of 100 degree days.


HAPPY 4TH of JULY to ALL of YOU!!

(See my previous blogs for more pictures of the cardinals).

Brand-New Cardinal Fledglings

Papa Cardinal was pacing yesterday.  He kept a close eye on the area surrounding the nest.

He was too nervous to sit in the nearby chair so he settled on the arm instead.

 

Then he hopped back on the feeder support where he kept an watchful eye on me.

I think the waiting was getting to him, don't you?

This afternoon, I was thrilled when I looked through the window at the nest and saw this tiny fledgling's head.  I saw two heads but couldn't get a photo of both.  

An object used in building the nest prevents clear viewing of the tiny bird, but I did my best to photograph him.

I have a sneaky suspicion this little critter is very, very hungry.

When my curiosity got the best of me, I went outside and climbed a ladder to see exactly what was going on in the nest. 

As you can see, one of the three eggs hasn't hatched yet.  I hope the second fledgling is okay.   Perhaps he's simply resting.  I think I'd get tired too from holding my mouth open that wide! 

Isn't this exciting?  I'll be back with more as the days go by. 

(See previous and more recent posts for more cardinal photos). 

Female Cardinal on Her Nest

I came home at noon today and spotted this female cardinal sitting on her nest in a bush right beside our kitchen window.  I feel blessed to have such a wonderful view from inside my home.   

Until now, I had no idea that she was even building a nest there.  I love using the zoom on my camera to get in REALLY close. 

It's 102 degrees.  I give Mother Cardinal a lot of credit for sticking with her maternal responsibilities.  She's obviously trying to cool herself by holding her beak open.

Observing her through the window, I can see that she's panting.  Her entire body is pulsating.  I'm worried about her but am loving this new experience.  I've watched robins have their young but never cardinals.

(I took these photos through the window so there are some areas of glass reflection.  I went outside to see if I could get a photo from another angle but I couldn't even see the nest from any position around the bush).

Mother Cardinal left her nest for a short time during the past two hours, but unfortunately I wasn't able to see from the window far enough down into the nest to see if there are eggs or hatched fledglings in it.

I'll be back with further developments regarding this important event.

It's 7:00 in the evening and I'm back already with more exciting news.  While mama was away, I got a ladder and looked down into the nest and saw three speckled eggs.  How cool is that? 

My Birch Trees Are Dropping Leaves

I have two birch trees in my yard that are dropping leaves.  I raked up enough to fill a large trash can early this afternoon.  A good share of the leaves still on the tree are yellow; I imagine they'll drop soon. 

I'm really upset.  I'm trying to keep my yard beautiful and the lack of rain is making that very difficult.  Keeping the lawn watered is a daunting task and now with the yellow leaves scattered everywhere, I'm fighting a battle that's bigger than I am.

I've watered the birch trees a few times this season because I know they suffer when it's dry.  They've lost leaves previous years but nothing like now.  I let hoses dribble on both trees this morning while I was at work, about 4 hours.  I may not save the leaves but hopefully the trees won't die. 

Thanks for reading; I really needed to vent.  I will be more upbeat next time I post here!!!!!  Let's hope, anyway.