Cardinal Family

Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

This has been a great year for cardinals at Chatham Gardens. I have seen at least 3 sets of adults regularly and I have lost count of the number of juvenile birds that are frequenting my feeders.

In the above picture is a female, probably the mother of the two young birds hanging out on the top of my weeping cherry tree.

In this next picture it appears that the female is feeding one of the juveniles.

I had read that cardinals encourage their your our of the nest very quickly and teach them to find food on their own. There is a feeder not far from this tree and I think this was a lesson in progress.

The cherry tree seems to be a favorite resting place for many. In the below picture, if you look carefully, you can see 3 adult females.

Bird Sighting

Yellowthroat Warbler
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Its called a Common Yellowthroat Warbler and supposedly the Common in the name is well deserved in this area, but it was a first for Chatham Gardens. Taken through the window of my sunroom, this sweet bird didn't stick around very long. I'll be watching the feeders for a welcome return visit.

A New Bird Sighting at Chatham Gardens

Baltimore Oriole
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

I was reading in my sunroom today when I glanced up at the bird feeder just outside the window and much to my total delight I spotted this beautiful bird. I believe it is a Female Baltimore Oriole, though it could be a young male in his first fall suit. She/he didn't stay long so I was glad I had the camera handy and ready.

I have an Oriole feeder but some critter, likely a squirrel or a raccoon, keeps swiping the orange halves. Now that I know there are Orioles nearby, I will cut up another orange and hope for a return visit.

Shrinking Children

Julia, Ben
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

I realized that I have developed a love/hate relationship with summertime on Cape Cod. There is the overwhelming swell of summer visitors that result in long lines and no reservations at favorite restaurants. There is the impossibility of making a left turn in the car and the never-ending quest to find alternative routes to avoid the worst of the left turns. There is the "Full" sign at the parking lot to my favorite beach.

But, there are also the sweet summer breezes and the warming waters at magnificent beaches with lots of parking. And most of all there are summer visitors that are arriving at Chatham Gardens for a day, a few days or a week. On balance, I would have to say I love summertime more then I hate it.

The most recent guests at Chatham Gardens included the Rechtzigel family who have not been here for two years. I really hope it is not another two years until they return. Overlapping with them were Ben and Sue Cheslawski, frequent and always welcome guests.

If you click on the picture of Julia and Ben you will be on my Flickr page where there is a short video of Ben C making Julia and Ben R (who are behind the blanket - I was slow turning on the camera) and then fortunately, bringing them back, in addition to more pictures of the recent Chatham Garden guests.

Is YOUR name in the reservation book?

Survivor

Black-capped Chickadee
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Usually when I see black-capped chickadees they are impeccably well groomed, not a feather out of place. I saw this little fellow at the feeder today and I could not help buy wonder what circumstances so thoroughly ruffled his feathers. Other then the his shoddy appearance, he ate well and looked strong when he flew away. Click on the picture for a few more photos.

Coyote vs. Goldfinch

Coyote
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

One of the downsides of my new all windowed addition is that I have had several bird strikes. Even with my limited hearing, when a bird flies into one of the windows the sound is unmistakable and I can almost always differentiate between a bird with a bad headache vs. a fatality. I have witnessed a few fatalities and I recall one situation where, when I went back to look for the bird all that was left were feathers. Enough feathers that I was certain the bird did not recover and fly away.

Today, I heard that unmistakable sound of a bird fatality and when I went to investigate, I found that I was not the first on the scene. A lone coyote had lost no time in retrieving what appears to be a bright yellow goldfinch and having a late afternoon snack.

This picture, and the others that are available on my Flickr site by just clicking on this picture were all taken through my windows, some before I thought to take the screen out, too. So while picture quality is not great, you can still see a very healthy coyote enjoying his prize.

Dahlia

Dahlia
Originally uploaded by ChathamGardens

Another first for Chatham Gardens, the first Dahlia. They are planted in containers that were built for my new deck and I suspect I have too many tubers in each container. But, there are lots of buds so a lot more flowers to be enjoyed in the next few weeks. This first one, though, will definitely have a special place in my memory.