Storms are great!

If you would have told me once upon a time that a storm would be a blessing - I would not have believed you. It turns out that every time a front comes through and pushes rain and wind our way it affects the migrants that are trying to head north for their breeding season, of course it's a bonus for us birders since we get to see them in their beautiful plumage. This weekend turned out to be particularly nice - we had Hummingbirds by the dozen in addiction to.....well....before I blurt it all out, come along and see....

Now, it's true that we see Black-and-white Warblers on a regular basis however some of them are migrating through and are so hungry that they don't care if you are only a few feet away - which provides us with ample good views.

One of the many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that landed at the Lighthouse, interestingly enough they were all mostly females.....boy are they hard to photograph especially with a camera that takes forever to focus.

With the Great-crested Flycatcher - taking its photo is a lot easier. Don't you just love its attitude?

The Gumbo Limbo tree could have easily been called the Red-eyed Vireo trees as there were so many feasting on the ripening fruit.

Warblers, warblers, warblers ..... they were everywhere and we were all giddy about it. This Black-throated Green Warbler found a juicy bug.

A beautiful Chestnut-sided as well as many others - truly loved the Seagrape flowers and all the little bugs that were in it.

A Bay-breasted Warbler gave us ample views and much delight.

A very lovely Ovenbird - check out the orange crest!

After a bit we went to the Pond Apple Trail and had a delightful greeting when we entered - this Rose-breasted Grosbeak stopped us in our tracts.

Shortly after we found the bird we were looking for - an Eastern Wood Peewee - sweet!

This morning I returned to the Lighthouse and found more of the same - a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak feasting on the Gumbo Limbo berries.

Well, I felt really blessed because I had been wanting to find a Hummingbird for several months now and this weekend found a few dozen - I guess it pays to be patient. Thank you. My E-bird List for the Lighthouse.

Sweet Migration

I mentioned to a pal recently that birding is like a box of chocolate - you just never know what you're going to get and the same applies while migration is taking place, though the weather and the wind tends to play a big factor and this year it's all been 'odd'. In any event, this past week I finally got to see some of the late migrants going through, come and take a look....

Our local Palm Warblers have gone north for some time now, in this instance I had a Palm coming from the South and stopping by for a bite to eat before continuing further north.

An interesting little fellow - was it a finch? - was it a Dickcissel? - well, how about an Indigo Bunting! I've got so much to learn yet.

A Black-throated Green Warbler gave us the greatest view ever, we figured that he just landed, was totally exhausted, famished and he didn't care who was nearby.

Now, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one gorgeous bird!

The resident Gopher was keeping a sharp eye on things.

A lady Rose-breasted Grosbeak - this is one of those exception as far as the female being drab - not so much in this case if you ask me.

Another view of the Black-throated Green Warbler.

A female American Redstart posing for a split second.

A Red-eyed Vireo, I had many great views of many of them and I'm sure that I will recognize this fellow in the future, no doubt!

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak pair.

Not a migrant but a great way to start the day with the sunrise - this White Ibis was actually gathering some sticks.

And guess who? If you said Blackpoll Warbler then you win the applause!

Quite a few Yellow-billed Cuckoo have been seen for the past couple of weeks and that's greaaat!

Ahhhh....the Gray-cheeked Thrush....what a beauty!

And today's eye candy goes to the Scarlet Tanagers - we had 2 male and 1 female - lucky gal!

Happy Mother's Day to me and to all the moms out there.