Project: One photo a day (but not necessarily every day)

[echappist]

I shouldn't have said anything. That bear is strong.

Ah, bummer, sorry to hear that.

Just yesterday, I was just telling my wife about your bluebird nest box story, and how it got raided by a black bear

I was hoping that your latest photo would be one showing updates to the eggs (perhaps even a hatchling). But alas...

We both really like bluebirds, and we also really like bears (except when I'm out riding my MTB in the woods). I mentioned to her at least the events of last year appeared preferable to the bluebird nest box getting taken over by house sparrows, having a trick played on the bluebirds by cowbirds, or have the nest raided by raccoons.

I hope the parents at least made it out alright?

[j44ke]

Ah, bummer, sorry to hear that.

Just yesterday, I was just telling my wife about your bluebird nest box story, and how it got raided by a black bear

I was hoping that your latest photo would be one showing updates to the eggs (perhaps even a hatchling). But alas...

We both really like bluebirds, and we also really like bears (except when I'm out riding my MTB in the woods). I mentioned to her at least the events of last year appeared preferable to the bluebird nest box getting taken over by house sparrows, having a trick played on the bluebirds by cowbirds, or have the nest raided by raccoons.

I hope the parents at least made it out alright?

Seems like it. The male is completely soaked from the weather. The female appeared for a split second this morning and I haven't seen her since. That was actually the pattern last year. The male hung around looking sad. And the female disappeared for 2-3 days. Then she reappeared and got started on a new nest in a different box. And then they raised two broods - 7 young total? - over the rest of the summer. They are pretty hardy, resilient little birds.

[one60]

Ah, Biscuit Bitch. I need to walk over there.

Seattle Biscuit Company on Leary is the better option, IMHO. Also, next door is a coffee shop/bike shop!

[open roader]

Northland, New Zealand

[claritycycler]

Most poppies ever in the back yard, migrated from seeds planted in the front several yrs ago

[Diablo de Acero]

Wow! That is a beautiful back yard!

[HorsCat]

IMG_2542.jpg

[open roader]

Tragedy.

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[j44ke]

For some reason brilliantly colored birds seem more tragic.

[bcm119]

The Merced river this weekend, about 25 miles downstream of Yosemite Valley.

[j44ke]

start over - different box closer to our house this time

[Mabouya]

start over - different box closer to our house this time

Jorn, I know there's the danger of the glass windows of the "office" area upstairs, but have you considered putting a birdhouse on the roof of the first floor section? It's been a while since I've seen an image showing the steel posts that support the cantilevered parts of the roof, but as I recall the overhang should be enough to prevent any non-flying predators from getting up there.

[vertical_doug]

Where's Bilbo?

New Zealand, Australia's version of an even nicer Canada.

[open roader]

Teenage male

[j44ke]

Jorn, I know there's the danger of the glass windows of the "office" area upstairs, but have you considered putting a birdhouse on the roof of the first floor section? It's been a while since I've seen an image showing the steel posts that support the cantilevered parts of the roof, but as I recall the overhang should be enough to prevent any non-flying predators from getting up there.

I did a lot of reading last year and found this farmer in NC (I think) who has something like 30 boxes out for bluebirds as part of his pest control approach. He said every year one or two houses get eaten by bears. He's learned that he can just repair them and set them back up, and the bluebirds will start all over. He also said that after those first one or two get eaten, the bears move on to other things. His theory is that when the bears first come out of hibernation, they have a major case of the munchies and eat anything and everything they find. Because none of their staples - berries, grubs, ants, termites, field corn, fawns and whatever the coyotes or bobcats have killed - are available yet, they eat other things, like bluebird eggs. That makes a lot of sense to me and has been borne out by observation in our neighborhood. Very few people have bears eat their bluebird boxes in May/June. And last year, the bluebirds went on to raise two broods, one with three chicks and one with four. 7 chicks fledged is a pretty awesome number. I figure based on that, the bluebirds are pros. I'll just keep the boxes repaired.

I also don't want to encourage flying squirrels with boxes on the roof. I evicted one flying squirrel from our bathroom fan duct (had to clad the roof vent in hardware mesh) and that was enough of a warning to make me jittery about putting anything that looked like a hole on the roof of the house.

[open roader]

Southern Boobook Owl

Boobook-Owl-May-2023-email

[mnoble485]

IMG_1623.jpg

Local produce stand. I hear they are an acquired taste.

Mike

[j44ke]

IMG_1623.jpg

Local produce stand. I hear they are an acquired taste.

Mike

You should buy those and plant the bulbs. Some place with well drained soil (not wet but not dry) that gets early spring sun but filtered sun once the leaves come back.

Really no one should be harvesting the entire plant to sell. Cut the leaves just above the ground and leave the bulbs in the soil. They've become so popular they are disappearing from the woods in certain areas. A couple years ago the Feds busted a group of Chinese immigrant workers brought up from Manhattan to the Catskills to harvest ramps for sale in the Union Square Farmer's Market. Triad hiking club and work project I guess. A bundle like that one would be $10-15 at Union Square, except that those look yellowed and not fresh so probably wouldn't sell.

[Diablo de Acero]

Southern Boobook Owl

Boobook-Owl-May-2023-email

Great Picture! A day hunter by the looks of it.

[j44ke]

quatre bleu!