Two old friends (1 male 1 female) said good morning by calling for their breakfast

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Birder.

My 3-26-15 post about putting out jelly the first time this year full of old photos: http://www.democraticunderground.com/12081244

We don't leave bird food out overnight because of the raccoon's. I had already let the dogs out (checking to make sure we didn't have turkeys in the yard first) when we got up. We had the windows open overnight for a gentle cool breeze.

With the windows open, Marta and I soon heard the familiar call. A male Summer Tanager was calling for his grape jelly breakfast. I rushed out and fed everybody.

Our first major returnee that we know of. The photo below is a couple years old. We will have some new photos up in the next couple weeks.




Much more including their songs at link: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Summer_Tanager/id



The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches.

[MADem]

1. They catch bees and wasps on the wing? I would love a few of those in MY yard!!!

Not so much for bees, but wasps!

[BlueJazz]

2. WHERE'S MY DINNER ??

[mopinko]

3. huh. never heard of feeding jelly.

makes a lot of sense, tho.
thanks os.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. ...

[brewens]

5. Walking last summer, I spotter a yellow-bellied flycatcher. Very unusual in my area. It caught my

eye in a flower garden I was walking by because of it's markings and movements. That little bird was really cool! I'd describe it as almost a cross between a hummingbird and a butterfly the way it was manuevering while hunting. I had no clue what it was but quickly found it online when I got home.

[whereisjustice]

6. Tanager! On a feeder! Incredible to see this... please let me know

where you learned about jelly, your experiences with it, etc.

Besides painted bunting - next most wildly colorful thing I've seen is indigo bunting, gold finch and cardinal sitting on a branch together, no camera though

[Omaha Steve]

13. We are just headed out the door

I'll be back later with some info. You can see that jelly gets two kinds of Oriels, Woodpeckers, Tanagers, Cat Birds, and more.

Here are a couple more photos I posted last year in the meantime. That third from the bottom photo is our tree legally. But we decided the squatter could eat and stay there.

The neighbors next to us are very happy this morning. They have a couple young kids that have been waiting for this. A bird house they inherited when they moved in a couple years ago had never been used before. This morning I noticed a pair of Nuthatches moving into it. Photos when we get a sunny day. Rain all weekend here.

OS

[whereisjustice]

15. Grosbeaks! I haven't seen these for years. Thanks for the photos and jelly tip - made my day. A few

weeks ago the cedar wax wings came through our yard. They have come in a big burst the same time every year for last 10+ years and feast on some berry bushes we have and quickly move on. Flock is getting smaller and smaller though.

Great photo of guessing Rat Terrier? Awesome pet! Our terrier mix is similar and likes wearing his harness 24/7. We used to take it off after walks but realized he was quite happy to have it on. Great for quickly snagging him when UPS man shows up

[SoapBox]

7. Cool!

Thanks OS.

[classykaren]

8. Warren Sanders love it.

[Lunabell]

9. So Beautiful.

I can't have a bird feeder in my yard because of the feral cats I feed. And one of my pet cats has a nasty little habit of bringing me live presents. He loves us. I love all animals and you are so lucky to have these two little friends come for breakfast.

[JDPriestly]

10. Beautiful. Wonderful.

[No Vested Interest]

11. You are one lucky man today, Steve, to have such beautiful visitors.

Yes, I realize you have serious health issues, but, today, this morning, you're one lucky man.

Enjoy the day.

[Omaha Steve]

14. Actually sitting on the deck here is wonderful

A little music, shade on a warm day, iced (used to be margaritas) tea, and bird watching.

I can also watch the BNSF trains go by around the clock. Sometimes it is the Amtrak California Zephyr.

Our dining room has a glass wall that faces Fontenelle Forest. Watching the snow or rain fall, birds and animals, and just taking it easy in inclement weather has its reward too.

Marta's office understands about me and she works from home often. So we do get quality time together besides the weekends.

OS

[allan01]

12. sez awwww

I live in a 2 story apartment complex shaped like an H. i live in the west wing and have a widow overlooking riparian woodlands . i get to see and HEAR lots of birds . the house rules state that there are to be no bird feeders but some do it anyway.