Saturday, July 17, 2010

Purple Martins Majesty, the sequel..."Jumpers!"

Little Mr. Cranky-Pants..."Waaaa...I jumped and I can't get back home!"

While sitting outside at "Hudy's" watching the Martins do what Martins do, Hugh spotted this guy sitting on the ground. #11 here wasn't quite ready to fledge, but he jumped anyway. It may have been too hot or his siblings didn't like him( like the time that my brother pushed me through a hedge and broke my collar bone!)...but anyway...#11 has jumped three times. I helped Hugh get him back in twice now. Somewhere the Doodles has pics of that...next post...

I am being watched as I check the jumper.

"If I lay low enough he won't see me."
This was #11's second jump.
I was getting the dive bomb treatment from the parents as I checked him out.
Hugh lowered the house and we put him back...again.


This time they were ready to fly, sort of.

At this point there were four mouths to feed.
I'll never understand how they can cram that dragonfly down their throats...

Up, up and away...to get more bugs for juniors gaping maw!

It's hard work swallowing these things!

"It tickles!"

Here comes the second helping!

Let's try to squeeze in one more...nope,
there wasn't enough room in his tummy for another and the parent flew away and gave it to someone else.


*Here's a special warning for any fledgling Purple Martin that's reading my blog today:
When the wind blows, you better hang on!
This guy was taken by the breeze and looked very impressive...until he landed with a bang...

We just went for a walk and most of the Martins have fledged. I'll have more pictures next time on...
"Purple Martins Majesty, Part Three...Taking Flight"

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Purple Martins Majesty...

"Excuse me! We're trying to sleep here! Would be so kind as to replace us promptly? Thank you."

Our BirdMobile neighbors and good buddies, Judy and Hugh(aka Hudy) have two Purple Martin houses. This is the second year for the first and the first year for the second house. Got it? Good. I have abode average readers. (Yes I know, I speeled it rong to give the Doodles something to doo.)

Anyway, they track all of the comings and goings, births and deaths, House Sparrow invaders and best of all, they band all of the babes! This past Fourth of July weekend, me and the Doodles were lucky enough to lend a hand...or three to help with the banding.

NINETY TWO! That's a lot of new bug eaters! 92 out of 100 plus eggs is pretty good for a couple of new Martin houses. There are 14 nest cavities in each house, so there's a whole gang of mouths to feed for those workaholic parents!

As soon as you open a panel, the little ones all make a bee line for the back.
As all Martins know, if you turn around, no one can see you...


Hugh and the first of the nestlings to get a little bling.
Hugh got a little poop for his efforts.


Mark Shieldcastle, the boisterous Baron of bird banders, masterfully marking the Martin.
That's Judy of Hudy recording the numbers while Hugh of Hudy holds the hapless hellion.

These guys aren't real pleased about this business, but Mark works very quickly..

"I am not at all happy at this moment in time.
Therefore I shall deposit a little poop in your hand."

"You're welcome."

Please note the the Doodles is using a paper towel to hold the nestlings.
It makes it easier to hild more than one this way...and keeps your digits defecation free.

All finished and the house rises to the sky once again!
(If you click on this photo and notice the white spot in the center left side you will see a Great Egret flying through!)

All the mums and dads are flying back home.
Once they are confident things are safe, they will resume the feeding frenzy.


I'll have one more update for this post coming soon!
Stay tuned kiddies!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Schedel Arboretum & Gardens

We found many of these Bumbly Bees on a Rose-of-Sharon.
All completely covered with pollen...and very happy!



While sitting all alone at the very stormy Big Bird Day at Magee Marsh in May, I met Veronica, a great person from Schedel Arboretum & Gardens. I had never heard of this place and she invited me and The Doodles out for a visit(I also bribed her with some of my postcards!)

We finally made it out this past Saturday. The weather was great, a very sunny blue sky with a few big puffy clouds and temps in the upper 80's. Perfect weather for visiting and arboretum!

Please visit their web site for some of the fascinating history of the founders and their love of nature.

I appear a little out of place among this well groomed landscape!

This was one of our favorite sculptures.
The gardens are full of wonderful art work, with many for sale.

This was the home of the Schedels. It now serves as a museum and gift shop.
It sure beats the BirdMobile!

Another one of the lovely sculptures.
*photo by the Doodles...


I need a book on nests. I saw this hanging in a small tree.
Nobody home...


This may be a Crossline Skipper butterfly...then again maybe not.

They also had gorgeous water gardens with Water Lillies and a variety of fish.

They have an amazing variety of hot peppers growing in their kitchen garden!

This is a Cabbage White butterfly. I know this one!

This is the Doodles trying to take a photo of a Cabbage White butterfly.
They don't sit for portraits.
*Please note the said butterfly is ABOVE the Doodles camera...
"Where'd it go?"


It's so cool to find a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth!
This one had a number of admirers.

100 shots later...An Eastern Amberwing dragonfly...flying.
I got a little dizzy chasing him around...

A Widow Skimmer dragonfly taking a little break...

This is the closest I've ever seen a Great Blue Heron.
This guy apparently hangs around the garden pond and isn't too bothered by people.
He likes to play Peek-a-boo also...


Here he's doing the Heron thing...very skulky and impressive.

I thought about doing this too. It was very hot and this American Robin had the right idea.
Doodles told me it wouldn't be a good idea for me....spoil sport.

The resident Mute Swan pair.
They guard against Canada Gooseses...not that there's anything wrong with Canadians(hi Susan!)...

I heard the "Jaws" theme playing in the background as this beast got closer.
I left.


You never know what you're going to see!
This is a real old plane...and I was going REAL slow.
I'm surprised it didn't fall down.

This is not Bobb.
One day soon, Bobb will have an update on his happenings and hijinks...
and why his name now has two B's.