Dark-Eyed Junco

has caught a grasshopper

Enjoying a Meal

A Large Fledgling

photo taken from an upstairs window

This baby Bald Eagle landed at our doorstep one evening recently.  He/she tried to fly but couldn't manage to lift off.  He waddled down the path toward a more open area and stayed there just looking around.  In the morning we came across him perched on a tree that had fallen over in a wind storm.  When he saw us, he spread his wings and flew down the hill.  It seemed he needed a clear spot and a higher elevation to get started.  Happy ending.   

Saskatoons

A hummingbird perches among the Saskatoon berries.

Berry Picking Time

Some birds eat the whole berry; other birds eat only the seeds.

Merlins

on a sunny morning

It is eight o'clock in the morning, and one of the young Merlins is perched in a Spruce tree at the back of the house calling and calling and calling.  Another Merlin lands on a branch below with its prey.  This is probably the parent with some food for the youngster.

Some Facts:
Breeding period: May
Clutch: 3 - 5 eggs
Incubation period: 1 month
The young leave the nest when they are 25 - 35 days old.

Shortly afterwards, they begin to catch insects on their own, but still rely on their parents for another month or so.   

Evening

Now that the hummingbird babies have fledged, there is a lot of activity at the feeders.