deep in the wooods . . .

The Red Baneberry Actaea rubra finished flowering in June and set berries (left).  When the berries are mature, usually by September, birds forage deep in the shady woods to enjoy them (right).

Grackles

Even though the Common Grackles Quiscalus quiscula are more likely to hang around fields where they feed by stealing crops, this year they are a bother at the edge of the wild woods.  With a cool late spring season, the farm fields nearby may not provide enough food for fledglings like this one. 

He begged and gaped for the adult to feed him, and ignored all instruction on how to feed himself.

learning to find their own food

The male Downy Woodpecker  
Picoides pubescens demonstrated for his two fledglings how to get lunch at the suet dispensers.

The parent handed a bit of suet to the young male begging below him on the paddle (right), while the young female helps herself to the suet as she balances on the wire suet cage (left).

All three use their tails to balance, a characteristic of woodpeckers.

Catbirds on jelly

The Catbirds Dumetella carolinensis are very fond of the grape jelly we put out at the edge of the wild woods. 

Today one of these dark-capped gray birds turned around to reveal the rich rufous-brown patch of feathers that accent his tail.

cranesbill

Growing at the edge of the woods, the wild geraniums thrive in cool shade with dappled sunlight.  Their bright 1-inch blossoms show up well against the shadows.

insect control in the garden

The birds that hang around the wild woods are helpful as they eat insects in the nearby vegetable garden.  More food for the birds, fewer pests on the crops!

Above, a migrating Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris stops for a few bites mid-day.

Right, a female Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis perches on the garden fence to  get a better view of the bug buffet.

new cones on evergreens

The evergreen trees at the edge of the woods are blooming and setting cones.  These tender buds will all grow out to encase the seeds that will be enticing food for the birds. Some may even be the seeds for new trees.

wildflowers in the woods

Early blooms in the woods -- Violets of blue and yellow, Jack-in-the-pulpit, among the Bloodroot, Solomon's Seal, Spiderwort, Wild Geranium, Sweet Cicely, and many more . . .