Very Active Spring

This spring has been an active one for the birds. I have more nesting species than ever before. Also I have more House Wrens than ever. Unfortunately, the House Wren is aggressive when it comes to claiming a nest box, even one that is occupied. This year, for the first time, House Wrens are destroying eggs already laid by Blue Birds, Chickadees and others. They pierce them with their beaks and throw them out of the nest box to the ground.

Eastern Bluebird Eggs destroyed by House Wren

More Late Spring Sightings-

The butterflies are flying around the Sand Coreopsis planted in front of the house.  Shown here is a Fritillary, a somewhat common visitor here, along with Swallowtail.  The daisies grow in many places around the land, so sunny and cheerful.  Also, a common sight is mushrooms/fungus of different sorts - this one I haven't been able to identify yet, it is growing on the stump of a White Pine.





Fritillary Butterfly on Sand Coreopsis

Sand Coreopsis

Swallowtail on Arrowwood tree blossom
(Arrowwood is in the Viburnum Family)



Golden Daisy Margeurite

Unidentified Mushroom andFungus



Eagles Nest in the Hocking Hills

Finally, found where the Logan, OH, Bald Eagle is nesting. The nest is near by in a Sycamore tree along with several Heron's nests that have been abandoned since the Eagle took up residence. 

Adult Bald Eagle with eaglet

Eaglet

Stretching

Adult Bald Eagle, with Baltimore Oriole !

Bird Antics

As I'm sitting in front of the computer on this chilly, dreary Sunday, a Tufted Titmouse flew up to the window and clung to the side of the window frame, as if to say "Hey, I'm here!"  Later, on the front porch, the kitten is laying on her chair asleep - a Blue Jay flies up and lands on the kitten!  She woke up startled but just went back to nappin..... Her food is on a tray just beside the chair and it is a bit surprising that the birds see the food and fly in to chow.

More Sights at Whispering Pines

Finally, found 2 Morel Mushrooms, they are yummy as well as beautiful.  The Mayapples grow in huge groups all over, they are just beginning to flower, along with some other regulars - Violets, Spring Beauties and Bluets.  Another abundant member of the woodland floor are the Fiddlehead Ferns, shown below accompanying the Mayapples. 





Biggest Morel found to date




Morels




Mayapples




Fiddlehead Fern and Mayapples




Mayapple blossom




Lichens




Lichens




Spring Beauties and Violet




Bluets




Toad



Morel Mushroom Hunting

Found one of the much-sought after Morel Mushrooms on the land, although I am still learning about where to look.  In the excitement at the find, forgot to take a picture of where it was growing....  In any event, hunting for the elusive 'shrooms there is so much to look at in the woods.  The colors and shapes of nature never fail to fascinate me.  This black fungus, or lichen - I don't know what it is, never seen before - if you can identify, please comment.

Lichens

Lichens - closer

Oak Bark, I think

Oak Bark

Urnula craterium: The Devil's Urn

More Spring Sightings

The Baltimore Oriole showed up today wearing his bright orange and black suit, just beautiful, and is uncommon for this area at this time.  The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks have been here for a few days, seen 4 males at once.  In this photo there are 3 sharing grub with the resident Red Bellied Woodpecker.  I neglected to mention in the previous blog that the Pileated Woodpecker is the only woodpecker that makes rectangular holes, as opposed to the round ones that all the others make.  I never knew that before I saw the homes that the Piliated makes on this land.  Whispering Pines is home to many woodpeckers.

Baltimore Oriole

Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks and Red-bellied Woodpecker