I am currently looking out my window, watching a Black-chinned Hummingbird at one of my feeders. These little guys are so cute to view, I only wish we had more of them around here.
Our backyard is again full of little, tiny fledglings. Some of them seem to be so clueless, that I wish I could go outside and teach them how to use the two bird feeders. I know that nature has a way of teaching them, but it is a little frustrating to see them try to feed from the plastic sides of the feeders.
This brings me to the real reason for this entry. I just want to make sure that all of you have a chance to watch some truly amazing birds grow up, before leaving their nests.
A few days ago, Denise posted a comment telling us about this site:
“… I know alot of us like birds and so I thought I would share this. http://www.allaboutbirds.org has a camera with a live feed on a pair of red tail hawks and their babies at Cornell . My first graders have been fascinated to see the parents nest sitting, seeing the little hatchlings, feeding time (dad brought a small mouse one day) etc.. Pretty cool.”
Thank you, AND you’re right, Denise, “Pretty cool.”
As I usually do, I have gone overboard watching all of these little nestlings. I am not only watching the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Red-tailed Hawk nest, but I am also watching their Great Blue Heron Nest, as well as their Eastern Bluebird Nest.
All four of these live cams are truly incredible, and if you want to spend some time with nature, in the comfort of your air-conditioned home, then you might want to give these wonderful sites a try.
Laurie K says
These cams are taking time away from my reading! But they are so worth the time – IMHO. I watch the herons the most as they have been the most interesting to me. I love to watch them grow and see the range of sizes and how they interact. But I admit that the Hawk Eyases are being very cute today stretching their wings and fighting for the shade. Dad Ezra is watching over them for a long time today – Mom (Big Red or BR) is there more often than Dad so this is nice to see.
I do recommend these cams to anyone who loves birds and nature!
Happy watching!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Laurie K, right before I started writing a few comments here, I watched as Big Red (Red-tailed Hawk Mom) fed her little ones. I just checked in and see that they are all three satiated, and enjoying a nap. I guess it’s all in a day’s work for Big Red…
And, I think I know how Eastern Bluebird Mom feels! She just keeps coming back, feeding, going, coming back, feeding, going, ETC.
(I keep all four windows open while I’m at the computer so I can enjoy when there is some action going on.)
Marge says
First, thanks for your March recommendations that included Ann Charles “Deadwood” series. I’m reading her first book on my tablet and thoroughly enjoying it – I was raised in Deadwood, although I have not been back in 50 years, her book is bringing back fond memories.
An artist friend has done a beautiful sketch book of a nesting red shouldered hawk. She does wonderful bird photography and art, and you might enjoy looking at her site – http://vickiehenderson.blogspot.com/
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marge, you can thank “Donna” for recommending Ann Charles…
And, thanks for telling us about Vickie Henderson’s beautiful artwork!
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Cool!!!
I love those black-throated ones, but we only seem to see them a couple of times a year. I think they pass through our area on the way to better weather and maybe some good flying through the mountains or something. (I’m north of you by a couple of hours.)
I haven’t seen any this year. I did get to watch some hummers taking a bath through my sprinklers. I had the sprinklers spraying in the veggie garden and two hummers thought I had it going so they could fly through and then stop right in the spray and shower!!!
We have the feeder out and some other kinds stop by now and then. The finches love the feeders. Last year with the forest fires knocking out the Oriole’s route, a bunch of them stopped and drained the feeders for days.
Here’s some pictures I took:
(Scroll past the first blog entry; they’re in reverse order.)
http://www.bearmountainbooks.com/?s=orioles&submit=Go
They were just gorgeous. We usually see one or two passing through. Last year there must have been 20 to 30 a day!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maria, the Birds of Texas Field Guide (by Stan Tekiela) only lists two types of Hummingbirds. Since none of “my” Hummingbirds have the brilliant ruby throat, I’m assuming I’ve labeled them correctly.
I’m tapering down on the amount of raw, shelled peanuts I throw outside. Yesterday, my husband saw a Bluejay chasing after one of those little Hummingbirds. So, as beautiful as the Bluejays are, I don’t want too many of them congregating in my back yard!
I’m ready to attract some of “your” Orioles, Maria. I have put out an Oriole feeder, and am hoping that some stop by our house. Last year we sighted a few Orioles at one of our Hummingbird feeders, but they didn’t stick around for long.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Ohmygosh, those little baby hawks are so ugly! Yes they are too! They’re cute, but they’re ugly!!! Little stubby demanding rolly pollies!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh, Maria, I think those baby Red-tailed Hawks are darling!
linda c says
We are now living in a different section of our town and the birds seem to be different even just across town. Where we lived last year we were very close to the Great Miami River. But now we are farther away. I suppose that might be why the birds are different. But I get almost daily visits from these little yellow finches. They are a site to see. Some special gifts are free and these mean the most.
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
Linda, you are so right.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda C, weird how birds can differ from one side of town to the other, isn’t it? You’re right about the most special gifts being free.
Edgar Wallace says
I love birdwatching so this is great for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Edgar, I have been enjoying these four sites immensely. We don’t get a great variety of birds where I live, so these live cams have been wonderful.
Vickie B says
This is so NEAT! Thank you for the email and sharing this. Lady K is going to love it, too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie B, I thought Lady K might enjoy these sites, too.
Margaret says
I love watching birds and I love participating in Cornell’s Great American Back Yard Bird Count in February. I am only about 2 1/2 hours from Ithica where Cornell is and have visited a few times. This year due to bridge construction DOT and DEC didn’t put up the Albany Peregrin Falcon Cams, I always enjoy watching the Falcon Chicks, so I will miss them this year. One of my favorite birding areas outside NYS is just out side Atlantic City, NJ in Brigantine. It is the Edwin Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The variety of birds is amazing. It is a must see if on the East Coast; the Jersey Shore has some great birding.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Margaret, you must get a very varied group of birds out there. If I did a Back yard Bird Count, it would include mostly Doves and House Finches!