Monday, April 28 ~Spring Is In The Air and at my feeder~

Oh, what a glorious week end this one turned out to be.  On Friday I was not so sure as it rained off and on all day, but Saturday was a perfect day so we drove south on I-71 to Caesar's Creek Flea Mkt.  We met Sara, Matt and Evelyn and proceeded through the isles of treasures, first outside and then to the more commercial inside booths.  We were a little disappointed that there were not a lot of vendors set up outside like we usually see but for Andy and Evie's short legs I suppose there were enough.  We decided that for lunch we would drive into Waynesville for lunch.  I can't remember the last time I had been there.  My aunt and uncle lived in Springboro near here and we used to visit regularly.  The town of Waynesville looked as though it had not changed much since then.  Sara and Matt were shopping for chairs to put with the dining table that he made during the winter.  So after we had our lunch we hit many of the antique stores that are abundant on the main and side streets there.  The weather was so nice and it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon looking back into another era by way of the many handmade tools and furniture.
 

This Red-breasted Grosbeak is a welcome visitor as he fuels up before heading for more northern climes

This Blue Jay thinks he needs to move on NOW!

The Fox squirrel really doesn't care who is at the feeder as long as they drop something for him.

I also spent a lot of time watching my bird feeding station for new arrivals and migrants on their way back to their Canada nesting grounds.  One of my favorites is the red-breasted grosbeak, so far I have only seen one.  I have always had one red-winged blackbird that comes to my feeder with the many grackles but this year I have seen 3 males and on Sunday I saw the first female to visit the feeder.  In the photo you can see why you wouldn't notice her as she looks a little like an over grown sparrow with a white eye line.  Yesterday afternoon as I was walking to the barn I was greeted by the first 2 barn swallows of the year.  Although that means we will have to start covering our mowers in the barn, I always welcome them back.  They are quite the aerial acrobats and consume thousands of mosquitoes as they perform.  Andy got all of the yard mowed so we are ready for the week of rain that has been forecasted.  As I write this the house is shaking from the rumbles of thunder.  Pray for the many who lost there homes and loved ones over night to the tornadoes that hit Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Sharon and I were driving through that area a little more than a month ago.

The male red-wing blackbird

The Easter bunny left baby bunnies in my flower bed

The less flashy female red-wing

White-breasted Nuthatch

The American Goldfinch is starting to get his bright yellow feathers

This House Finch is showing off his pretty red head feathers

This little Carolina Wren seldom sits long enough for a good photo

The Mourning Dove on the other hand is very photogenic

The Blue Jays are the party animals and are quite noisy!

We have 3 species of squirrels that frequent our feeders.  This is a gray squirrel.

These do not come to the feeder, but they are among my favorites to watch , Turkey Vultures

I also hung out my hummingbird feeders yesterday as two of my friends have spotted Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in their yards!  Despite the spring showers this week, ENJOY!!