Sometime things around the house require my attention. I try not to let that happen too often, but when it does, and I begin to trip over the dust bunnies, something has to be done about them. That has happened to me recently. Consequently, I haven’t been out on the trail with my camera very often. Sad, but true! However, I have managed a few trail walks recently and some backyard birding, so I finally have something to post on my blog. Today. I’m sharing a few shots taken through my kitchen window. Let me know what you think.
To my delight, the bluebirds have been in and out of the nesting box multiple times per day. They make me smile on a regular basis! The blue jays and red-bellied woodpeckers are also faithful visitor to the seed cylinders and suet.
And then, on occasion, the pileated woodpeckers will swoop in for a meal.
The last picture made me hold my breath until I actually got the shot. Never before has one of the big ones landed that low in the yard, and I was afraid she would fly away before I grabbed a shot or two. My hubby had planted some colorful flowers in a plastic tray on top of one of the stumps just outside the kitchen window, and they apparently attracted her eye. Since this visitor doesn’t have a red mustache to match the red crest, I’m pretty sure it’s the female. Both the male and female are nesting somewhere in our neighborhood. It’s exciting to have both stop in at the same time.
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 
Great shots of your visitors! I did a spring cleaning some time ago…and now it seems it’s time again!
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Thanks, Helen. It definitely doesn’t take long for the spring cleaning time to roll around.
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Glad the cleaning didn’t get in the way of taking bird pictures. I have found that the older I get, the less time I dedicate to cleaning. The house is always tidy, and the kitchen and bathrooms are always clean. As for the rest? Potluck. đŸ˜‰
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I love your approach, Laurie.
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I need to get on some cleaning myself – been busy! Excellent shots as always đŸ™‚
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Thanks, Camille. I’ve made progress on the house cleaning, but there’s still plenty to do. Wondering now, how I can manage to post a couple of blogs and squeeze in the occasional trail walk.
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Are the owlets all “grown up” now?
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Yes, the owlets have fledged. Unfortunately, I was having a few health issues during that time and wasn’t able to get out and take pictures. There were many photographers with long lenses who spent hours photographing them, so people did get to see them grow and leave the nest. They were adorable and fun to see.
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Hope you are feeling better now Carolyn. As to the weather – you did not miss much since it was like our weather – so chilly, then damp, then hot. Hopefully there will be new owlets next year. I was watching some robins in the park where I walk and they went from eggs to fledged. I really enjoyed watching them and the first two days with their personalities as they made their first flight. Very enjoyable.
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What fun! We have nesting bluebirds but haven’t seen any babies.
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Hope you see some out your kitchen window for future posts.
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That would really be exciting!
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Nice to see you back Carolyn – I thought maybe you were dealing with the same rain we’ve had in SE Michigan. It had seriously hampered my walking efforts this Spring. These are great up-close pictures and cleaning your kitchen window must have been one of your tasks as the photos are as clear as if you were standing outside. They are all great (as usual) but the last two with the woodpecker are my favorites. What a great photo of him studying you in the second-to-last photo.
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Thank you for your really kind comment, Linda. We were afflicted with the weather you suffered through and the last 2-3 days have been just plain chilly here. I did manage a trail walk with a couple of good friends in the Arboretum on Tuesday. Now to find the time to process and post some of those pictures.
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I’ve had to pass up two 5Ks due to all-day rains, and I have two more this weekend – Saturday looks to be stormy and rainy again. I had several posts on “babies” at the Park, and now all that are left are the goslings and they are getting very big.
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Sorry you missed the 5Ks, but respect to you for trying.
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Thanks and I got one in yesterday but it rained shortly after it was completed. The rain has indeed been a pain and at week’s end we are back in the 90s again. I’m no fan of the heat and humidity.
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