Robins…….it must be Winter

In the North, when the Robins return you know it is spring. Here in FL, when the Robins return you know it is Winter.

We’ve seen several flocks in the tops of the trees. We used to have hundreds feeding in the Pepper bush, but most of those froze 2 winters ago and havn’t come back yet. It is a very invasive plant and although we love having the birds..it isn’t worth it to have them spread the seeds.

This morning I noticed a few in the yard….it wasn’t long before there were several bathing in the Raccoons watering hole.

I put this one on the ground near the pit I put my compost in so the Raccoons wouldn’t have to come to the bird bath.

Look at the Robin on the R side of the picture. He must be the lookout.

There were more in the trees waiting for a turn. Hope they come back tomorrow. Looks like I will need to refill the bath when they are done.

A short video of them bathing. Hope they hang around and clean the yard of insects.

OOPS!! I don’t think “Duffer” fits anymore

We’ve been calling this raccoon “Duffer”. Because it’s face is so grey….we thought it was an old fellow.

 

Now I believe it is a “mask less” raccoon.

It wasn’t until I took these pictures of her and the babies that I realized she wasn’t grey….she just didn’t have a mask.

I started searching and found this blog  http://dorispotter.blogspot.com/2010/04/special-raccoon.html     Her photo of a mask less raccoon convinced me. Check her photos…she has some beauties.

Those little guys are soooo cute. In the picture above they hear Jim working on the boat.

This is one of the first days she brought them out and they were pretty skittish.

Every little noise sent them scurrying back into the bushes.

The edge of the yard has a lot of undergrowth….tall grass and weeds. This one is coming out of one of the tunnels thru it that they use.

Here is a short video of them looking for food. I have been putting dog biscuits down there for them ……to help Momma get a good start. I’ll cut back so that she teaches them to look for natural food. They’ll be able to come in for a drink and a biscuit but it will not be their main food supply.

We did see another mother with 3 babies. They were much larger than these two, and only came in for water then left. No treats for them.

 

Painted Buntings are back

A few have been coming to the feeder for a month now.

It’s hard to get good pictures. The feeders are in the back yard on a 12’ pole. I can see the birds while I enjoy my morning coffee by the fire (wood stove) in the sun/screen room. What is really nice about winter in FL….I can have a fire overnight and by 10am I have all the doors and windows open.

Unfortunately, the least bit of movement can send them flying into the Bottlebrush bush next to the feeders. I keep the lower limbs of the bush cut about 4’ above ground so nothing can hide under them.

The pole is pvc to prevent the raccoons, squirrels and cats from climbing it.

They usually start coming in just as it is getting light out. The first bird I see is the male Cardinal. Then the male bunting.

So far, the most I’ve seen at one time is 2 male buntings and 2 green buntings. The green can either be female or juvenile males. Before they leave in April the green males will have molted and show their new pretty colors.