I learned something today!!! :) How to distinguish between a Male and Female Monarch Butterfly. This is a Male..a little beat up it appears. If you look towards the bottom center of this picture..you can see a small black spot. Wings are not open enough to see the other spot.  The females do not have this. Plus the female's black lines are a little thicker. 

This little Swallow was really checking me out as I leaned out the car window and snapped a picture :)

Cedar Waxwing by Lake Michigan.

 

 



Strolling by Lake Michigan yesterday caught this Goldfinch having a blast on the Thistle.

      

Red Admiral Butterfly

Asiatic Lilies in the morning Sun.



Black-Capped Chickadee in the evening Sun.

 

Morning Sun just peeking over the roof tops..puts a little glint in the eye of this juvenile Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird.
                                                    

And we Thank You for our food,,,Amen!

Who is that Masked Man? Cedar Waxwing. Taken last winter. I can hear them around the neighborhood right now but with the trees full with leaves now...hard to spot them.





Keeping an eye on me! Red-Winged Blackbird



"And that kids,,,is your lesson for the day!"

 

 



Robin says..This is my, "I know you have had all those pretty migrating birds but I am still cute" look

 

 

 

On a trip to the local landfill to drop grass clippings...someone had left these wild Iris's there. Even nice enough to leave a note on what kind of flower they were. First couple of years maybe had  2 blooms on them...must be established now as they really bloomed nice.



Late evening bath

Taking a walk next to lake to see if I could spot Pelicans again...no luck. They must have moved further North. Was serenaded by this cute little Song Sparrow though  :)

Was driving along Lake Michigan yesterday and noticed these big white birds in the distance! At first thought they were White Swans as they have been known to migrate through this area. Getting closer realized they were Pelican's!!! Did not know they came this far North! 

Known as Full Strawberry Moon or Full Honey Moon. June 12th 2014

I believe this nesting ball cost us $3.89. It has been the cheapest source of entertainment! The Goldfinches in particular like it!

Another first that visited out backyard. I believe it is a Hermit Thrush.

With a tip from my Brother a couple of years ago,,,here is a good example on recognizing the difference between a Male and Female Robin. Female on left with a more dark grey head...Male on right with more of a stark black. Picture a little dark as it was taken in the evening.

Looking for Mom!

Indigo Bunting! One beautiful bird!

My Awwweeee  moment for the day! Baby Robins. Only the one would peek it's head over so I could snap a picture!

My first view of the Adult Male Orchard Oriole! Very neat! Very different from the Baltimore Oriole!

Juvenile male Baltimore Oriole

Another first time visitor to our yard. Juvenile Male Orchard Oriole.

Female Rose Breasted Grosbeak.

First time visitor to our yard the Female Rose Breasted Grosbeak!

The female Oriole arrived just in time for Mother's Day.

Arrival  of the Male Oriole May 2014. He sure is pretty!!

Loved being serenated one morning by this cheerful House Finch :)

Spotted a Male Hummingbird this morning!! Noticed that the Male always migrates back first. After doing some reading, the Male shows up early to establish territory and also gives time for more nectar and bugs to become available for the female. She needs to reserve her strength for raising her young.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/humm/MigrationMalesFirstAns.html

This also applies to other birds such as the Baltimore Oriole

Spring has been a long time coming here. Sitting on front step soaking up some Sun and had a visit from a feathered friend wanting raisings. Robins often return to Wisconsin while there is snow on the ground yet. Raisins are a good source of protein for them until the worms and bugs arrive :)

 

Time to hang the Hummingbird feeders!! Please make your own syrup. The store bought red dye is not good for the Hummingbirds. 4 parts sugar to 1 part water. Boil 1 minute. May be stored up to two weeks. Link to migration map.

http://hummingbirds.net/map.html

Full Moon

Full Moon taken March 16th 2014. Known as the Full Crusted Moon,  Full Sap Moon or Full Worm Moon.