Spring Wings

Spring brings a great variety of wings in the area... some coming home for summer and some migrating through.  Yellow Warbler

Baltimore Oriole at the lake

Scarlet Tanager at the lake eating grape jelly.  We had up to four at a time and they were the first that I have ever seen.  We have to take our lake feeders down when we come home because the bears have already knocked them down once...so I never know if these beauties will return or are just passing through. 

This Oriole at the lake dove headfirst into the jelly.

We have a wren house at the lake and he checks it out but hasn't decided if he'll stay.  I should say that I read that males will start building in up to 4 places and the female will decide which one she likes to lay her eggs... sound familiar?

Orioles like oranges too.  We haven't seen them around lately at home so maybe he prefers navel oranges.

When they first arrived, the Orioles made short work of the orange.

Here was another first for me.  Do you know what it is?  It is a Cape May Warbler.

Gray Cat Bird at the lake. 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Not sure what this rascal is... I was trying to get his picture and it didn't stay in one place in the upper branches more than a second or two. 

Another Yellow Warbler daring me to get his picture before he takes off again.

Again I am not sure what this one is.  I would guess a warbler of some kind.

Pelicans checking out the campground.

I assume this is some kind of sparrow or thrush?  Maybe he is an American Sparrow cuz he looks like he had a pretty good winter and put on a few pounds like we Americans are prone to do over winter.

First Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season at the lake. 

House Finch.

Female Oriole

These Tanagers ate grape jelly, suet, and oranges.  Well balanced diet. 

At first I thought this lighter colored Tanager must be the female but the bird book shows a mostly yellow bird.  I guess the males just vary a bit in color.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  

Though Pelicans are large, they are nothing compared to Bald Eagles which seem to be absent right now from the lake.  Perhaps they are rearing their young.  Those of you who like birds, like me appreciate their beauty and variety.  God must have had fun making them all.  If you don't like birds you can be thankful because I didn't get a picture of the Flicker, Canaries, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Robins, Song Sparrows, Rose and White Breasted Nuthatches, Crows, Blackbirds, Hairy and Downey Woodpeckers, Loons, Ducks, Geese, Swans or Red Winged Blackbirds.  But be encouraged, Spring isn't over yet!