Kingbirds

Adult Eastern kingbird

Baby kingbird

Three baby kingbirds [the fourth is on a higher branch]

Trying his wings!

Mom feeding baby #4

Our pastor Nancy, asks us how we have seen God in our lives. As a bird watcher and outdoor person living in western Montana, the answer for me is obvious.....just look around, examples are everywhere.

We enjoy our large picture windows that face the mountains on both sides of our house but one evening, when there was a loud thump on a window, I knew a bird had hit. The bird on the ground was an Eastern kingbird that was very stunned. We have one pair that has nested in one of the trees on an island in our pond every year since we have lived here, and this bird was one of them. I immediately started praying for this bird. Dan picked him up and set him on a patio table, and I kept watch. His breathing was labored and his mouth was open. Not a good sign. After a time he tried to stand up but fell over. After 3 hours, he did not look much better and when I went to bed, I was sure he would be dead by morning. Amazingly, in the morning, he was gone. I said a prayer of thanks.

Today, after seeing the pair around the pond and in the tree for the last few weeks, we saw 4 baby kingbirds testing their wings and learning to fly. Obviously the injured bird made a full recovery. I was thrilled and said another prayer of thanks. Talk about an example of the presence of God!

New Yard Mammal [almost]

Dan & I keep a list of the birds we have seen in our yard [the only list I keep].

[Lewis's woodpecker]

This morning we had our usuals, along with our first of the year [FOY] black-headed grosbeak.

I was taking pictures through our front window. Dan was taking the car to the garage to get some work done and I was to pick him up. He headed off and shortly thereafter, I headed down the road. Just after crossing the river, I looked into the bushes and there was a MOOSE!!! While I have seen several moose in different parts of the country, there has never been one 1/2 mile from home! Of course I did not have the camera. I thought "I really should pick up Dan" then just as quickly thought "to heck with it, I am going back for the camera". As a result, I got this great shot of the moose, and Dan wondered what took me so long. It was just as well I got the pic then, because when we came back by, the animal had disappeared into the brush. You just never know what you are going to see around here.

Around Home

Lewis's woodpecker. There are 2 coming to our suet feeders. Would you believe a pink and dark green bird?


Red Crossbill. We have also had white winged crossbill but they are more uncommon in this area.

Osprey. Many nest in this valley. This bird was in the top of our cottonwood tree.

The lettuce I started in the cold frame. It is now big enough to eat but has to be protected by these cages or the deer will get to them first. I planted 20 bean seeds and 19 are up. Looking forward to fresh beans but it will be a while.

Native lupine. Have several of these in the yard.






Ornamental crabapple. These are not a native plant like we prefer but it was planted by the former owner. They sure are pretty even though not native.

Our house. The trees are just leafing out and the lilacs are just starting to bloom. There are 75 lilac bushes along the fence rows on this property. The Sapphire mountains are in the background [to the east] and the Bitterroot Mountains are to the west.

Spring Bike Rides

As you know Dan and I have recumbent trikes that we really enjoy riding. It is one of the few exercises I can do with my back problems [I can't ride regular bikes]. One of the big benefits for me at the RV park we stay at in Texas is that it is right next door to Bentsen State Park which has paved trails/roads and we can ride directly from our park to the state park without getting in the car. And in spite of all the traffic that is in a lot of south Texas, our area is still quite quiet and peaceful. One of the big benefits of our summer home is that there is a 50 mile paved bike path a mile from our house [not that we are going to ride that far]. We had not ridden since we left Texas but today was the day. Temps in the 60's, sunny, no wind, and we set off. It was wonderful. Dan turned around before I did but I rode about and hour and enjoyed every minute. Hopefully we/I will keep this up to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Weather here is perfect. Sure glad I am no longer in south Texas!!!

Easter Birthday

Yesterday was Easter but it also happened to be my birthday. I couldn't remember the last time the two were on the same day so looked it up and found some amazing results. Easter can be anywhere from March 22 to April 25 calculated on the date of the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. The last time Easter was on April 24 was 142 years ago [no wonder I don't remember] and the next time will be in 84 years. I didn't realize what a truly special day it was. I went to church where I enjoyed seeing friends that I missed all winter, plus hearing our pastor Nancy who I like so well. In the afternoon we went to neighbor Mike and Linda's where we had a delicious dinner followed by birthday cake and a special gift made especially for me by their 8 year old granddaughter. It could not have been a more perfect day!

With my birthday/Easter flowers

Dan and me

My special gifts made by my favorite 8 year old girl

Heading North

Left Bentsen Palm Village at 8:30 am. This is early for us when it is the first day out after sitting in one place for 4 months. We got less than a mile from the park when a buzzer came on......never a good thing. Turned out it was a low level in the coolant reservoir. The reservoir is opaque plus the opening is on the side at a weird angle so it is hard to check. However, we topped it up and that took care of the buzzer. We made good time and got to San Antonio about 2pm so missed the rush hour traffic. We got to Johnson City on hwy 281 about 3:30 and decided it was time to quit for the day. Today I got up at 6:30am which is way early for me who doesn't get up until 8:30. Between that and the stress of a first day trip I had had enough. We ate at a good Mexican restaurant across the street and now are enjoying life. It is cooler [68] and less humid up here which of course suits me. I even changed my tank top to a T shirt. I will enjoy sleeping in this cool air. We get to Oklahoma tomorrow but won't have internet at Dan's cousin so not sure when we will be on line again.

Park Creatures

I have been spending quite a lot of time riding in the state park and looking for birds. Several times I have seen bobcats but today, while waiting in our favorite spot for warblers, Dan and I saw a real treat. A bobcat came out from the brush on the right, came to the middle of the road [used only by bicycles and pedestrians], sat in the road, looked back and made a sound, continued to the other side of the road, sat down again and soon a half grown kitten ran across the road and into the brush. Mom then disappeared with the kitten into the trees. We had been sitting quietly looking for birds and although she saw us, she apparently did not think we were a threat. One of my favorite things to do while birding is just sit still in a likely spot and wait to see what shows up. Very many times I have been really pleased with the results.

Bobcat crossing the road

Bobcat talking to kitten

Bobcat with kitten going into the brush

Clay colored thrush. Once very rare but now numerous in this park.

Rufous backed robin. A rare visitor to Bentsen and the butterfly park next door.

Ruby throated hummingbird. We are getting migrating males at our feeder. They are going to miss the free lunch when we leave tomorrow.