Can You See It?

It's not really a mystery post, but it's a little hard to spot. If he hadn't moved, I probably would have missed seeing him altogether. He took a step and gave away his location. 

Who is he?  He's an American Woodcock, also known in my area as a timberdoodle. 

Everybody piled into the jeep (old 1966 vintage model with the windshield down and no doors) and took a ride on the family property for my brother's birthday and got lucky enough to see another woodcock. I was able to get better pictures of this one. 

Having green grass as a backdrop, instead of more dry leaves really helps with the contrast and visibility. 

Watching these guys bob along as they walk is such a treat (that's how I know he is a male). Also, if you ever have the chance to go out on a spring night and watch their spiral mating flights, it's an experience not to be missed! You can sneak up closer and closer when they're high in the sky and then watch them do their courtship dance in the dusk after they land. As I said, if you have the chance, do it! :)

Magnificent Milkweed

I was out helping my brother with some chores on the family property when I noticed this milkweed plant in full flower. 

Honeybees were humming around it, collecting pollen and I was trying to get some decent pictures, since it was such a lovely little vignette. 

I managed to capture a few good shots of the flowers with the bees actually in focus. 

I particularly liked the photo I took of this bee from the side as it gathered goodies for the hive, while still showcasing the beautiful, waxy flowers. 

A little while later, I was sitting on the tailgate of the truck, resting for a minute when that very same milkweed flower attracted this handsome fellow. I was delighted both to see him and to manage a picture - also in focus, for a change on those fast-moving subjects! 

I hope you're as delighted as I was.  

Good Morning, Baltimore!

 Orioles, that is...

The baby Baltimore orioles were so cute, waiting for a delivery of grape jelly. They hadn't learned how to fend for themselves and were quite insistent on the goods coming to them. 

They were pretty close to full size, though they had just started molting and putting on the full glory of their orange feathers. Happily, their feeding requirements did allow for some fun observation time, though Mister Baltimore O. was pretty harassed. 

He was very good about taking care of the raucous youngsters, in spite of being a bit frazzled. :)
 

Morning Marvels

Piper and I took a pre-dawn walk at a nearby nature preserve and were very well rewarded for our efforts. 

We chose a trail and had nearly completed the circuit when we spotted this handsome fellow standing in the staghorn sumac as the sun was cresting the treetops. He didn't seem overly concerned about us, but moved along. 

A little farther down the trail, a larger buck with a beautiful set of antlers in the velvet came into view. The first one we saw had joined him and there was a third with a smaller rack as well. 

I realized the reason they weren't terribly concerned about Piper or me had a lot to do with another handsome creature that came trotting from the concealment of the sumac and tall grasses. The deer kept a close eye on it. The coyote stood and contemplated its options for a few moments, decided it didn't like the look of the canine with the human companion and went trotting back the way it had come. 

The sunrise was also pretty spectacular.  Getting up early has its rewards! (Of course, so does sleeping in, but Piper doesn't allow that very often!) :)

It's a Trail Cam Tuesday!

As promised, here are more trail camera fawn photos from the family property. 

This one looked like all the aunties had gathered around to admire the little one, petting and cooing over it. 

Here, the little one looks just a bit mischievous, staying out of mother's reach. Either that, or it broke cover to see where mom had gone and knows it's in trouble for disobedience. 

Boundless energy, right? It looks like mom is being indulgent while her youngster works off a serious case of the zoomies! 

Wait up! Wait for me! I noticed something fascinating by the side of the trail and fell behind. 

And that's the end. :)

More Marvelous Moms (and Babies)

Here are a few more trail camera captures.  

The fawn in the foreground is having a breakfast break with its mom. 

Chomp, the doe that looks like she's had a big bite taken out of her left ear had a sweet fawn this year and the trail cam caught her youngling nursing, too. 

The long-legged fawn trot trying to catch up is way too cute. It's so classic! 
 

Finally, here's another portrait of doe and fawn walking along the trail together.

I'm a sucker for the candid wildlife photos.  :)

Smile! You're On...

The trail cameras out on the family property have captured some delightful pictures of does with their little ones. 

I always love seeing these candid moments where we get a glimpse of what the critters do when we're not watching. 

Although, sometimes it seems like they go out of their way to pose for the camera. Doesn't that look like a perfect family photo? 

The youngsters dash along behind their moms learning to navigate the deer world while being altogether too cute. 

I have some more of these to post and will try to get them up in a day or two. After the last sort of depressing fire update post, I thought something cheerful was in order! :)