Mississippi Kite

Well, the little ones are out and about these days - testing their wings and learning the world. Unfortunately, they didn't nest where I could keep an eye on their progress as they grew. Today I watched as a juvenile was served some tasty bugs multiple times. In childlike fashion, he would cry for his momma with the customary "PIT-teeewwww". Momma would show up with a morsel for him to consume. This scenario repeats itself fairly often.

(Momma brings the "bacon".)

I hadn't noticed before, but the juveniles (at least this one) has brown eyes, while the adults have red.

As if to express gratitude for its meal, another call to its Momma before digging in:

("Thank you, Momma!")

Dine hearty, young fella!
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Black-Chinned Hummingbird

This morning was cool enough and I got up early enough to get out and watch for my fine feathered friends. It was almost immediately when I saw another Black-Chinned Hummingbird flitting around our trees near the feeder I set up. I managed to get this shot when he stopped to perch on a neighbor's clothesline to scope things out.

(Black-Chinned Hummingbird)

It's not easy catching these little guys sitting still, but this one was cooperating quite well. He kept his distance, because I was apparently making him a bit nervous.

Since making alterations to the seal on my ant moat, I've not seen any sign of ants contaminating their home-made nectar. In the hot weather we've been having, I have to refill the moat pretty often, but it's worth it. Even though I don't get out early enough most of the time, the nectar keeps going down - and it isn't leaking. I know where it's going now.  :)
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