Yesterday morning, I looked out the window and noticed a lot of birds flying around. At first I thought they must be starlings, but no. They were robins; I don’t know how many, but I’d say at least 30. They’d swoop into the trees, swoop back down to the ground, drink from the birdbath, and dine on burning bush berries. It was magical. I’d say they were here for an hour and a half.
They were on their way south and stopped at the Hill-Sparks Inn for some food and drink.
I just looked outside again. There’s a few more stopping for a visit.
Anyway, I grabbed my big girl camera and took some photos with my telephoto lens.
The birdbath was a mess; thank goodness there was some fresh rainwater in there.
A few fights over the birdbath.
Completely delightful.
By the way, groundhogs go into hibernation in October. Someone hasn’t got the memo; the big groundhog has been sighted into November. In fact, last Saturday, I opened the kitchen door and he ran past me. I haven’t seen him in a few days, so maybe he’s finally made the move. Lots of chipmunk and squirrel activity right now, as well.
I’m going to go clean the birdbath.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
very kind of you to provide a birdbath, maintain wildflower beds and offer other things that birds, bees, butterflies and hedgehogs need. and how fun for you to get to see them (we can enjoy them too through your beautiful photos … thanks, claudia).
some out-of-the-ordinary sightings here, too. for years we’ve seen three doves feeding at my parents’ deck, but on thursday? close to a dozen doves in the tree next to the tray feeder! :) also, in all my 65 years, the only place i’ve seen redwing-blackbirds has been on the tall grasses growing in ditches alongside country roads. not in town ever … until last week. one has been to the feeders four days in a row! :) we think these newbies are traveling to their warmer/winter homes. very fun to see!
gotta go. today is veterans day. my father served in the army in korea and today is his birthday and we have plans for a great day of celebrating him!
hope you, don and everyone else have a nice weekend. stay safe.
kathy
also! baby earl (we call him burl) was on the deck with his father a couple times this past week, too. :) looked a bit skinny, especially for this time of year, so happy he knows he can come on up. we’ll gladly feed him, too.
kathy
xo
We used to have dozens and dozens of mourning doves at our feeder in San Diego. We have mourning doves here, as well, but there call is usually off in the distance. It’s fun to see the birds headed south, isn’t it?
My dad served in WWII – it traumatized him for the rest of his life.
Stay safe, Kathy.
i am so sorry about that for your father, you and the rest of your family. trauma is very understandable and also very sad. especially since war is not necessary.
many thanks to your father, my father, all the other men and women who served/serve and to their families for making sacrifices, too.
…
and yes, watching the birds and earl is great fun. there is lots more competition for the bird seed and (his favorite) in-shell peanuts so we’ve been reminding earl that this time of year he really needs to hustle!
happy weekend.
kathy
xo
Beautiful pictures of your robins. Nice they stayed for awhile. Enjoy your weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks so much Elaine.
Stay safe.
I had a murmuration of starlings visit our woods yesterday! What a cacophony! When they fly through, I know winter is coming. Finally a sunny day.
I love them. We had a smallish one the other day, but there will be more. They’re magical!
Stay safe, Betsy.
A wonderful gift of robins! How lucky for you. Glad you there was rainwater for them.
We put out bird seed for our feathered friends in the hopes of attracting cardinals. Not only do we have cardinals, but we also have blue birds galore. Such a treat for us. We also have suet feeders…and it’s been fun to watch the woodpeckers. The only danger is spending too much time watching the feeders, and not getting anything done. Course…we are retired…so?
Enjoy your day! ;)
happy to hear that you can enjoy watching so many birds, donnamae! and nice of you to feed them.
we get the same birds (three kinds of woodpeckers) as well as doves, finches, wrens and chickadees. also earl and now burl (squirrels).
so much fun to watch (so i try to get tasks done very early)!
hope you have a great weekend. stay safe!
kathy
Love this! The strangest thing, we only see bluebirds in the winter, usually when they’re heading somewhere – north or south. It’s rare, but occasionally I’ll get a glimpse of them. I don’t know why they’re not part of our bird population in the spring and summer.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
That’s SO cool about the robins. I’ve never seen that many robins together!
Me, neither! Well, I will see groups of them headed back north in the early spring, but never this many.
Thanks, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Robins 😍😍😍 what a gift to have been able to see them. And your photos are such a treat for those of us who miss seeing them, thank you!
You’re most welcome!
Stay safe, Naomi.
Lucky you to see so many robins! All of us neighbors try to spot the first robin in the spring. I can actually smell spring when spring just begins. Oh, loved your adventure in Jersey City with the doll convention. The doll pictures you posted and the stories were great. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Stay safe, Irene.
What a treat to see all those robins — they’re such a pretty bird — and so many of them. Your burning bush keeps on giving, in color, and beauty, and food. Lovely! I din’t care how invasive “they” say they are, if I could grow them here I would plant one in a heartbeat.
I thought that the English had cornered the market on whimsey, but I was wrong. That German mother-daughter design team does such exquisite work — novel, and charming, and beautiful. I wish we lived in an era of such imagination in attire; but no, nowadays its all about how tight and how much skin is exposed. Boring! Your dolls, on the other hand have such whimsical and imaginative offerings to choose from. I love it.
Morning Glories are also called ‘invasive.’ Meh. I ignore that stuff.
I know – if only we could dress the way the dolls do!
Stay safe, Elizabeth!
I knew you would say that about morning glories! I love them too — always have. There’s nothing prettier trained along a fence. “Heavenly blue” is my personal favorite. Have a lovely day!
When we lived in San Diego (in a rental house) there were morning glories all along two lengths of fence. Loved them!
xo
It sounds like a lovely stop on the trip south! Those are some lucky birds!
Glad to be of assistance to our feathered friends.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Wow, I thought the robins were already way down south since we haven’t had any around here for quite a while. Our chipmunks have gone underground too. No more fighting with the squirrels for the seed and peanuts I put out. Now the squirrels just fight amongst themselves.
The last of the leaves are coming down so the trees are looking forlorn. My least favorite part of this time of year until winter arrives. At least a little snow softens all those bare branches.
Take care,
Kay
Our chipmunks were out and about the same day as the robins. So they haven’t hibernated yet.
Stay safe, Kay.