Saturday, April 20, 2019

The Beauty of Birds

We've seen some of the most beautiful birds at the Pruitt Trailhead of the Florida Trails this week. 


Eastern Kingbird

I'll begin with one of the 'mysteries' of the day! I think I know what this bird is but I'm not positive! What do you think? Thanks Eileen for helping with the ID! We are so happy to see this Eastern Kingbird and ID it for the first time!


Hubby took this one and it is 'straight out of the camera'! The most colorful Eastern Bluebird we've ever seen!


 A cropped photo but no color added!!! 


And I even went back a second time to look for something!


What do you think this is? I'll answer it at the end of the post!


Eastern Bluebird


Great Crested Flycatcher


Swallowtail Kite

And the mystery item I found on the trail!


It's teeny tiny! It's perfectly formed! 

It's a hummingbird nest of all things!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

30 comments:

Tom said...

...I love your bluebirds!

Vee said...

Oh what a treasure the hummingbird nest! I gather all abandoned nests and bake them on low temps to kill bugs and fleas and then tuck them in my decor both inside and out. I may be eccentric. I enjoyed watching some videos including the gator. I’m getting braver. Happy Easter weekend to you and your hubby!

Debbie said...

the bluebirds are GORGEOUS!!! i might have thought you added color, i was glad you let us know you did not!!! the swallowtail kite is another beautiful bird and an awesome picture.

i have seen hummingbird nests before, so i thought it might be one!!

happy easter diane...happy spring!!!

MadSnapper said...

I would never have guessed that found object is a nest of any kind. wow on that find... the bluebird is stunning, what gorgeous feathers... great shot of him. my friend in Savannah has these blue birds, he has 3 boxes they live in and he gets babies each spring...

Anonymous said...

Oh that blue, that blue, amazing! I knew it was a best lol we've found them in our hedge , aren't they a work of art, so delicate but oh so strong, a miracle of nature! Have a wonderful weekend! Thankyou fir the lovely photos,

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the hummer nest is cool. Great find. I love the beautiful bluebirds.
Is you mystery bird an Eastern Kingbird? I think I see a white band on the bottom of the tail feathers. Love the Flycatcher and the Swallow-tailed Kite. Awesome birds and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend! Happy Easter! PS, thanks for commenting on my post.

Kate said...

How awesome to find a hummingbird nest!! Would you tell all those birds you showed that they should be on their way up here - we'll be looking for them soon. ^^

Terri D said...

Wonderful photos, as always! That blue!! Wow!! I've never seen a hummer nest before. Wow again!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

As Eileen correctly points out, the white terminal band on the tail of an Eastern Kingbird is a key identifying character. I just saw many Eastern Kingbirds in Panama migrating north. They should be arriving here in Southern Ontario any time now.

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...

Such beautiful pictures of these incredible birds! You always see such amazing little critters on your adventures! Thank you for sharing with us... I always learn something new!

God's Blessings to you and Happy Easter! Net

Jeanie said...

I've never seen an Eastern Bluebird -- I long to so very much! Is the hummingbird dead? I didn't quite understand.

Sending lovely holiday wishes to you.

Linda said...

We have hummers here at the ranch! I’ll have to search for nests! What a treasure!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful feathered friend photos and bluebird is awesome and that hummingbird nest what a gift to find!

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

The Liberty Belle said...

I NEVER would have guessed that was a hummingbird's nest. The Eastern Bluebird is so richly colored and cute. Have happy Easter.

Kathy said...

That bluebird is gorgeous! I have never seen one in real life. And I have never seen a hummingbird nest either. How interesting!

Susie said...

Diane, I knew it was a hummingbird nest. My 6th grade teacher took the class two blocks from school to show us one in a fir tree. Oh so many years ago. But I never forgot it. I love seeing the pretty birds and you got such good photos . Blessings to you and Ron for a beautiful Easter, xoxo,love, Susie

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH--lucky you with those bird finds--
beautiful photos-
and what a tiny nest--
thanks for sharing--
luv, di

happyone said...

Wow that is a very blue blue bird. Sure is a beauty. I've seen a couple of then flying around here at Happy Trails.

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs and the colour of the Eastern Bluebird is simply fabulous.

All the best Jan

BeachGypsy said...

Happy Easter my friend and oh my goodness that bluebird is SO BLUE!! What gorgeous COLOR!--love it! Y'all are getting great shots of the birds! I really like this one though because its so vivid blue against the greenery. The hummingbird nest is so neat, I've never seen one of those I don't think. Do y'all have any fun plans for Easter?

Anu said...

Hello. The bluebirds are so beautiful.

Anni said...

You wonder what species of hummingbird the nest belongs to...it's not like any I've seen. I have two here at home...from the Ruby Throated, and much more round and made mostly of lichen. Those bluebirds in the Spanish Moss just dazzle the eyes...wow!!!! And yep, an Eastern Kingbird...they're very pretty with the contrasting black and white, aren't they?!! Have a great holiday if you observe, and thanks for taking time to share your post and photos with us at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend!!

Adam Jones said...

The Eastern Bluebird is a real beauty. The Swallow tailed Kite is a new bird to me.

Betty J. Crow said...

The bluebirds have on their Sunday best. Beautiful!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful birds, wonderful pictures! I see the st kites here, but have never been able to get a picture! .... Kind of a funny coincidence— I “caught” an Eastern Kingbird a few years ago (when we were traveling somewhere) and Eileen identified it for me too! I sure couldn’t find it out by myself. She is such a good birder and blogger! So are you!

Ann said...

These are all wonderful but the picture of the eastern bluebird is my favorite

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh my gosh, I would have never guessed that was a hummingbird nest. So cute and tiny. All the birds on here are sweet, and I love that Eastern Bluebird. He's such a beauty and sooooo blue. Yes, the beauty of birds, and your title says it all. They are precious, and I will show a yellow billed magpie tomorrow.

Happy Easter to you, Diane.

love, ~Sheri

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que preciosas fotografías!! FElices Pascuas!!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

A friend this morning sent me a photo of an Eastern bluebird she shot in her backyard. I hope he visits my feeder.

Lea said...

I thought your mystery photo was a butterfly cocoon! The hummingbirds we have here make nests from twigs, lichens, moss etc. much like other birds, but much smaller.
Wonderful, beautiful Bluebirds!
Have a great week!