Yard Blooms

First Round of Black Swallowtail Pillars

Mason Farm April 15, 2012

Birds of Note:
American Redstarts
Ovenbirds
Common Yellowthroats
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Many Kinglets and Gnatcatchers
White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireos
Yellow-rumps

Saw a honey bee swarm:

 

 

 When honey bees swarm they will settle on a tree limb, bush, or other convenient site. The cohesiveness of the swarm is due to their attraction to a pheromone produced by the queen. The swarm will send out scout bees to seek a cavity to nest in and will move on when a suitable nesting site is found. Rarely, swarms may initiate comb construction in the open if a suitable cavity cannot be found. (via)

 Ranuculus bulbosus (non-native)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Saw the first hummer of the season this morning.

Red-headed Woodpeckers Return

The Red-headed woodpeckers are back. They are fighting with the Red-bellied woodpeckers again over territory. Last year they arrived on May 3rd.

(photo via)

Front Yard Flowers

Yates Mill April 8, 2012

Birds of note:

Many Gnatcatchers

Swamp Sparrow

Yellow-throated Warbler

Kingbird

Hummingbird (probably Ruby-throated)

Large Flock of Cedar Waxwings

 

 Flame Azeleas still in bloom.

 Beaver busy.

Swift Creek April 7, 2012

 Jack in the Pulpit

Oxalis

 Wild Geranium

 Chickweed

 Foam Flower

 Many Ginger and Bloodroot plants

 Chicken of the Woods mushroom

 Hepatica

 Maidenhair Fern

Crossvine

Atamasco Lily