Welcome to Week #20 of the Bird Weekly Photo Challenge. Week #20 challenge is showcasing the birds that visit your yard, garden, land….your close space.
All of us are going to have a different variety for this week so I can’t wait to see what everyone else is seeing from their window, front porch, back patio area or wherever you enjoy the likes of our feathered friends near and around your home.
The feature image is a Swallow-tailed Kite that flew right over our house in September. I haven’t seen the Kites in about 3 weeks so I think they have headed south for the winter. In the summer months, they will soar in close to the ground near the feeders and the tops of the trees looking for other birds. We don’t put food out in the feeders while they are here (about 3-4 months) because of the kites.
I have so many other species in my yard that I have yet to get clean shots of like the Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse and there was a Gray-cheeked Thrush in the yard a few days ago that when I went to grab my camera flew away. That thrush was the first time we’ve had one in our yard ever!
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are quite common and are year-round residence in the Eastern & Central United States. They have wondered into parts of Canada, possibly expanding their territory. You will find them in large old growth oak & hickory trees. They will come to your feeder like this one stopped by for a nugget a couple of days ago. They are quite the acrobat, hanging upside down while feeding if need be.
Palm Warbler
The Palm Warbler is a different kind of warbler that doesn’t act like most of its species. They will hop around the ground, flitting its tail up and down while being in the open. Most warblers take cover in the trees. You would think this would be a tropical bird given its name, but they are one of the northernmost breeding birds of all warblers. Only the Blackpoll Warbler breeds further north. This small bird breeds in parts of the northern United States and in Canada, but the non-breeding kind like here in Florida can be found further south in the Caribbean and Mexico. This bird did get its name by J.P. Gmelin who named it from a specimen collected on Hispaniola, a Caribbean Island with a lot of palm trees.
Mourning Doves
Patiently waiting their turn. 
Patience ran out.
If you are not careful, doves will eat you out of house and home. They are social birds who will easily share a meal, but their patience in taking turns is short lived. Often you may see 3 of them flying in a formation. Typically the lead bird is a mated male escorting an unmated male & female. The second bird is the unmated male chasing his rival from the area and the third is the female of the mated pair that just seems to go along for the ride.
Last summer, 2019, my hubby had to trim a tree limb that was almost hitting the roof of our house. Unfortunately, there was a dove nest in it that he did not see upon inspection prior to cutting. There were 2 chicks in the nest. My granddaughter was visiting at the time so the two of them took the baby birds to the animal hospital so they could be cared for until BEAKS (Bird Emergency Aid & Kare Sanctuary) could pick them up. The momma dove sat in that tree for 5 days in a panic looking for her babies. It was the saddest thing I have ever witnessed in the bird world. Was she mourning? ABSOLUTELY….NO DOUBT!
Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe is one of North America’s most familiar flycatchers. It is 5.5-6.7 inch (14-17 cm) in length with a medium length tail. Their dark head seems flat but they will often tuft it in a peak making it look similar to a Wood-Pewee. Up until this week, we had only seen this bird in our yard a couple of times in 9 years. There have been at least two hanging out in the front and backyard, making this one of the unique birds in my yard for this challenge. This one kept flying towards the window and fluttering back to the perch. This went on for about 2 hours. We were entertained! The video below is just a small portion of our observation.
Interesting fact: The Eastern Phoebe became the first banded bird in North America by John James Audubon in 1804. Audubon attached a silver thread to the leg to track its return in successive years.
Northern Cardinal
This female Northern Cardinal had found a seed in the feeder in the front yard and flew over the house to enjoy it in the backyard where this photo was taken. Did you know, Cardinals do not migrate and they don’t molt? This is probably why they are a birder’s fan favorite!
Black-throated Blue Warbler
The Black-throated Blue Warbler has been coming back for weeks now. A 1/2 mile away at Tree Hill Nature Center we counted 10 in one area. The most ever for us! I know I featured this bird a few weeks ago, but I’m amazed at how many we have seen this year and the extended visitations to our yard. I don’t have a photo of a female, but they are so different that originally they were thought to be two different species.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
EYE SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE something green! Do you see it? Look very closely as this little bird is as fast as fast can be.
I cropped it about as far as I could. The best Ruby-throated Hummingbird photo I’ve ever gotten. I haven’t quite gotten this down to where I can see them after I come out of my house. I snuck around the side to get this shot and it was done. Finished! Didn’t come back until the next morning.
This hummingbird is native to North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Bermuda. They are migratory for us in the summer months in Jacksonville, but are year-round residence in other parts of Florida with the milder temperatures. They are a breeding bird for much of the Eastern & Central United States. The male can be vicious defending his territory. He will chase off other male and female hummingbirds if he thinks they are getting just a little too much of his sweet nectar.
Upcoming challenges can be found on my Bird Weekly Challenge Page.
Until next week…Week #21 – Black Feathered Birds just in time for Halloween.
Our Eyes Open 
Comments
77 responses to “Bird Weekly – Photo Challenge – In Your Yard or Garden”
You have had a wonderful variety of birds visiting your yard!
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Yes we do. I saw 2 Downy Woodpeckers a little bit ago when I let Heaven out. 😊
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I found the hummingbird but it took a while, lovely photos 💜
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I can tell you, I didn’t even know I got it until I zoomed in on it in photoshop. I almost missed it. 😳💜
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It’s so tiny 😍
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yes it is! 3.75″ (9.5 cm) 🙂
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And so beautiful 💜
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Absolutely! They are here late this year but it is unseasonably warm still. Another hurricane is coming towards the Gulf of Mexico for this upcoming week. They have just been devastated this year. I was kinda half hoping it would come towards Florida, giving those folks a break!
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Roughly where are you. You don’t need to answer if you don’t want to.
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Jacksonville, Florida. It’s no secret. I have an Etsy shop so it’s easy to find me. Plus I think it says so on my about page. 😀😁💜
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I have been to Jacksonville two years ago 💜
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Well, dang! Too bad I didn’t know you then! How long were you here? What did you do while you were here?
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We were there two days, two lovely days as part of our travels from Miami through Fort Lauderdale, Coco Beach, St Augustine, Jacksonville and Orlando. The trip was lovely. We stayed at the Marriott in Jacksonville .
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Sounds like a great trip. We love St. Augustine. Love going to the lighthouse and climbing to the top. Been on several ghost tours & have had some encounters. That is always cool! What did you do while in Jax & St. Augustine?
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I love your Hummingbird! And the Black-throated Blue Warbler is a beautiful bird.
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Thank you. Very amateur but the it will do for now. I’ve gotten hummers in the nest & perched up in the Vegas area but never our home grown. 😊 the warbler as been the most abundant than ever before.
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A lovely selection, Lisa. The humming bird was well spotted and I love the little Eastern Phoebe 🙂
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Thank you Cathy. That phoebe was just plain entertaining. 😊
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[…] These two Mourning Dove chicks were in a hidden nest in a tree branch that my hubby cut down in the summer of 2019. He had checked for nests but missed it. The limb needed to come down as it was over our roof and almost touching. With strong thunderstorms, we couldn’t take the chance on it falling and putting a hole in our roof. Frank & my granddaughter, Leigha (who was visiting at the time) took them to the animal hospital to be cared for. Read the rest of the story at today’s Bird Weekly post. […]
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wow how wonderful – love this post. Such a wonderful array of birds in your yard. I did one a while ago in our garden, and we count the birds weekly for a national charity. Can while away so many hours bird watching 😀
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Thank you! We spend a lot of time birding and counting. We log our birds on eBird.org. Helps Cornell University keep up with data they can’t always get. 😊I love that you do it for charity.
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How fabulous you do something similar 🙂
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We are birders! Official titles. 😂
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Better than being twitchers!!
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The palm warbler has pretty markings. It sounds like it acts more like a towhee. We had a group of three ring-necked doves as regular visitors until a Cooper’s hawk had a snack one day as we watched. Nature in action!
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Most Towhees stay hidden & high in the trees. This warbler walks around on the ground, flits out in the open. It’s an odd bird that seems to have a lot of courage and doesn’t care who sees. As for the doves, sounds about right. Once in a while, we will see feathers drifting from above in front of a window. Usually it’s a red-shouldered hawk. 😊 circle of life.
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Awesome selection! Here are mine: https://onewomansquest.org/2020/10/23/backyard-buddies/
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Thank you. I had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at the feeders this morning. First time in about 5 years. 😊
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Wonderful! I keep looking for them, but none yet.
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I didn’t see one this morning, but did sneak into the bushes and got some images of the Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmouse. I need to look them over and post them to Terri’s Sunday Stills. 🙂
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Both favourites! Haven’t had a good photo of a Titmouse for a while.
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They never cooperate for me but I was hiding in the bushes today. I’ll post some pics tomorrow. 😊
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[…] (For Bird Weekly challenge: backyard birds.) […]
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[…] entry for Birds Weekly hosted by Our Eyes Open. This weeks theme […]
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I like the woodpecker 🙂 🙂 I don’t suppose there was any way those baby birds could be reunited with mum, Lisa? What a shame!
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No they couldn’t. It was too high in the tree and the nest came down with the branch. Frank found the babies inside the nest. They survived thanks to fostering. That momma bird mourned for 5 days in that tree. It was the saddest bird moment I’ve ever had including finding dead birds.
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[…] Coleman’s bird weekly challenge this week is about birds you see in your […]
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We must have too many cats and birds of prey hanging out in our backyard since our variety of birds is limited! These are wonderful shots, Lisa! A great hummer shot, yes they are fast! I am excited to link my Sunday Stills post this Sunday morning to this post and again to your page! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thanks Terri. We have cats too & if they start messing with the birds, the get scared off by Frank’s BB gun. The sound alone scares them off. No cat has been hurt. Just scared off. Birds of prey are another matter but our birds tend to be careful except when there are babies in the nests. The kites keep us from offering feed in the summer. Not going to set that target. 😊
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Beautiful gallery! Such pretty birds.
I have just started feeding the birds as it is getting colder. Up for a refill for the hungry winged friends today and will see if I can catch any of them with my camera.
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That would be awesome to see what you get. You have all week so hope to see your friends. 😊
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A beautiful collection of birds around your home. I see many of those birds here but rarely am able to get a photo of them. Thanks for another good challenge.
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Thank you Beth! Missed you last week! I saw a rose-breasted grosbeak this morning at the feeder for the first time in 5 years. Couldn’t get the shot though. 🙂
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[…] For Bird Weekly. […]
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[…] BirdWeekly:…Birds-in-Garden […]
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[…] is a multi photo challenge post. Of course it features birds in my garden for Lisa’s Bird Weekly Photo Challenge as well as Tina from the Len-Artists Challenge #120 – What a Treat Also sneaking in a photo […]
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Lovely Garden Lisa 🙂 Here’s mine
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Thanks Brian. 😊
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[…] week’s Sunday Stills’ post is partially inspired by Lisa’s Weekly Bird Challenge. What kinda birds live or visit in your […]
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[…] week’s Sunday Stills’ post is partially inspired by Lisa’s Weekly Bird Challenge. What kinda birds live or visit in your […]
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[…] is my entry for Lisa’s from Our Eyes Open blog, Bird Weekly – Photo Challenge with the topic of In Your Yard or […]
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Here is my entry for the week. Enjoy!
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[…] Bird Weekly […]
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What a wonderful gallery of birds this week. You have outdone yourself! To get a hermit thrush in your yard is amazing! They are so elusive here. Your little masked friend is a Common Yellowthroat. The Yellow-throated Warbler has black & white striping & a white breast with yellow throat. All your shots are quite remarkable and so clear! Rockstar! 😎
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Can’t wait to look through all the posts! Here are my visitors
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[…] Bird Weekly photo challenge this week invites us to share the feathered friends that visit or live in our home space. We have a […]
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[…] Posted for BIRD WEEKLY – PHOTO CHALLENGE – IN YOUR YARD OR GARDEN […]
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Lovely captures as always! I have something like the Eastern Phoebe visiting – not sure though. Will capture n share sometime… Here’s mine – https://myheart2heart.blog/2020/10/26/a-new-visitor/
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[…] Bird-Weekly […]
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You could host birdwatching days in your garden (on Zoom!).
What a variety you have.
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Interesting concept. I prefer being behind the camera instead of in front of it. Something to think about I suppose. 😎
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I sometimes wonder if I took up photography so that I’d always be on my side of the camera 😀
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I know it is why I did! LOL! 🙂
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😂
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[…] Thank you Lisa. for this Bird Weekly challenge. Her original post is Bird Weekly Challenge #20: In your Yard or Garden […]
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Thanks for a fun challenge. Here’s my entry https://wanderingdawgs.com/2020/10/27/bird-weekly-challenge-20-in-your-yard-or-garden/
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Here’s my belated contribution. Lots of birds are attracted to our water feature set in a high desert environment. https://bendbranches.com/2020/10/28/backyard-birding-adventures-bwpc/
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[…] Lisa’s challenge this week is birds in our own gardens. She lives in Florida, so her birds are very different from ours. […]
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Here is my contribution to Garden Birds: https://margaretinuganda.com/2020/10/29/lisas-weekly-bird-challenge-birds-in-our-own-backyard-garden/
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[…] This weeks bird weekly photo challenge topic is birds found in your yard or garden. […]
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Great photographs mine are no where near as exciting as the birds in your garden https://joannescraftsandadventures.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/bird-weekly-photo-challenge-birds-in-your-yard-or-garden/
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I loved your Pheasant! That was exciting for me because it is not a bird that I will see in Florida for sure. I know that are quite common over there. Just goes to show, you never know what is going to flip my switch. LOL! 🙂
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You definitely see them everywhere in the countryside, on our walk last week we saw 2 in the farmers field I can only presume eating something. I still think it is weird sometimes that something we see all of the time is not seen in other places 🙂
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And thanks to the internet, we learn so much from each other. 😊
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We sure do, I have seen some amazing birds that I will never see 🙂
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Well, at least we have opened up our eyes to what is out there in other parts of the world. 🙂
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[…] Birds fly from the front to the backyard constantly. We have plenty of trees and great cover in the backyard with a fountain and the front yard has the feeders. This week I was able to sneak around the shrubs in the front to get these photos. You can see more birds from my yard in my Bird Weekly post from last week here. […]
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