A Rainbow That Flies

Rosebreasted Grosbeak, 2 pair - Indigo Buntings, 

female then male 

and last but not least the Painted Bunting

I've been a bird watcher for many years, but I've never had a painted bunting at my feeder before; they're pretty shy.  A friend and real birder told me that a friend of hers feeds a special kind of seed to attract them. The very first morning we put millet seed on the board he came to sample it, and has been a regular for several days. It is hard to believe what gorgeous color he has even after I have seen him more than once.  The female is a yellowish green all over, but I haven't seen her yet.  Hopefully she is around, and they will nest here.  Having them here all summer is a possibility because they do nest here! 

What a treat that would be!

female cardinal painted bunting

They don't like oranges,  this was just a handy perch for him.

Photo Opts for the Birds

Last year I got a great Cannon digital SLR camera, and continued my fun hobby--watching birds and taking their pictures.  I had been taking pictures of birds for many years, but this new camera took me to a higher level of bird photography. Before long,  I received the gift of a lens that enlarges the subject and it has a stabilizing feature which minimizes my jiggling while focusing!  It is like MAGIC!  Now, I don't claim to be any kind of photographer, I just like to take pictures, but this new equipment has me addicted to taking portraits of  birds.

Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird out for a meal together.

Mama Blue looking for breakfast to feed the babies.

Daddy Blue on watch...

What're you lookin' at?!!!

Ms Wren checks for escaped meal worms...

A friend's childhood cook stove is 

called into play as a photo prop.

Meal worms are the treat served in

Aunt Tempie's china cup & saucer.

Aunt May's china cup and saucer 

are perfect for serving the Blue father.

Mr. Bluebird checking for meal worms to feed his babies.

Easter -- then and now...

Scott, Denise, & Larry ready for Sunday School 

and hunting Easter Eggs afterward.

Larry, Denise, & Scott in their Easter finery, headed to Sunday School.

Hunter, Kaylee, Laura, Caitlin & Doug after church and Easter Sunday dinner, 

they are ready to hunt eggs.

Copper, Kaylee, Doug, Laura, Caitlin, & Hunter waiting to take off the Easter finery.

They liked getting shades each Easter from Nanna, except for Copper!

Now, Easter Sunday is for church 

and for family dinner afterward.

We paused before we ate to bless the food and remember why we celebrate Easter.

Doug said our blessing 

and Pappy and I felt truly blessed.

We missed the rest of the family, but were glad to have Scott, Kim, & their kids here.

Laura, Doug, and A.J. were first to fix plates, followed by Kaylee and Scott.

After lunch we sat around the table visiting as we watched the bluebirds come to feast on the mealworms pappy put out for them after the heavy rains stopped.