Mr. Mom

I’ve spent years photographing birds, and I feel like an idiot. It never registered with me that mama lays the eggs, but dad does the child rearing! Mama might be off building a new nest for her next batch of eggs, while dad takes over with the current brood. He sits on the eggs, keeping them warm and finishes the process of bringing new life into the world. Once the little ones have arrived, dad shoulders the responsibility of finding and delivering food.

It’s not the same with every species. Some birds trade off, mom keeps the eggs warm for a time, then dad takes over, they raise their brood together. As always, I have a LOT to learn.

A bluebird dad gets up close and personal with junior. I have no idea what this discussion was about, but I’m pretty sure junior didn’t borrow the car and bring it back on empty.

I can’t help wondering how my son would react if his father stood on his back and force fed him a peanut.

This goldfinch father seems to have been doing a good job of providing food for baby, it seems like it’s bigger than dad! I admire dad a lot… it has to be hard to concentrate on the job at hand with someone standing on your tail feathers.

Does it feel like fall yet?

Across the wide world, the seasons are at various stages. In my little corner of the woods, fall is fast approaching. I should check, it might technically already be fall. In any case, come on fall! Most of our summer was hot, hot, hot and I’m ready for some cooler temperatures.

I’ve done something very out of character and purchased pumpkins…BEFORE the end of September! I’ve even been contemplating Halloween candy and we don’t get any trick-or-treaters. Tell me I’m not the only one doing this!

Looking Divine.

I don’t know exactly what this blue jay is looking at. Is it looking for a sunflower seed that has fallen to the ground? Perhaps it’s looking at a peanut taking a siesta below the bird feeder.

Someone suggested that the bluejay might be looking at a car that it’s thinking about buying. Another clever individual suggested that it’s trying to decide which pair of socks it wants to buy. Considering the fact that it’s eighty-five degrees and humid, I think that’s highly unlikely.

I think it’s simply looking…divine. Look at those perfect feathers, that magnificent color. Divine…simply divine.