And here is a clip of the emergence. This has seriously been one of the coolest things to witness. #Nature is so amazing, providing us with wonder, magic and whimsy just like that ❤️ I hope he has the best life out there. He is still drying off in the enclosure but I will release him later today.

IT HAS JUST EMERGED, you can watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ANP...

Timelapses are cool! This is part of the one from yesterday, and you can actually see things happening after it got dark. (This is a Black Swallowtail chrysalis that I found at caterpillar stage at the end of last summer in my garden and then put into an enclosure in my sun room for winter.) #bugs

After months of watching this chrysalis happily slumbering and wiggling away, tonight I noticed a change in its appearance (left is yesterday, right is today)! I was wondering when it would be time to emerge, and I was also a bit worried

Another fun surprise and a lifer in my yard (does it count on video?) - I think this is a Cape May Warbler. This is exactly the reason why I added a camera there, and I am so happy with how the tiny Maxdone is performing. I also put it by the hummer feeder. Not every camera can #birds

Surprise, surprise - one of my favorites visited quickly today - a Redheaded Woodpecker! I saw it by the bath, and then it checked out the food bowl and tried to prompt me to refill it. This is only the second time I saw one. They are stunning, but still as goofy as any woodpecker 😆 #birds

I got to try out another Kingsyard feeder, and this one's a doozy if you have several birds that go bonkers for grape jelly. The bickering gets reduced and everyone gets to snack in peace! They are all so ridiculously funny 😆 #birds

Like every spring, I've prepared a mud pit with grasses, roots and soil because I love seeing the Robins collect it for their nests. I had a camera there for a bit but nothing happened because of the cold we've had here in Michigan. But today was nice, and a Robin rummaged through the offerings 😆

A little update on Momma Chickadee - she is still incubating her eggs, keeping them evenly warm and turning them every so often. This morning, she got spooked by a Robin that must have sat on the box, and now we know there are actually seven eggs!

The special ed RWBB is still hanging around in my backyard, and it does not look like his plumage has changed at all. Here are some clips from the last week, taken with different cameras (a Maxdone and a Ceyomur trailcam). It kind of looks like it behaves like a male.

The Orioles are singing loudly and explore every food possibility 😆 The hummer is with the 120 fps but lower res, so not entirely perfect but I loved how the feet are dangling while he's trying to grab the perch (slowed that down) 🥹 We have warmer weather on the horizon! #birds

My birthday is coming up in ten days but my husband surprised me today with my gift, and it is spectacular. He knew I had looked at this a while ago and got me the Rolls Royce of hummer cams, and I am so stunned and amazed and happy! Look at him 🤩 #birds

A happy #MothersDay to the Moms, the mother figures, those that care for, nurture and mother things, be they humans, plants or creatures. What would we be and do without you? I am ready for a matriarchy. Thank you, mothers, and please get spoiled today ❤️ (Pictured is a Bluebird female with a baby.)

Spring migration has started but is not peaking in my area yet, but another summer visitor has arrived today - the House Wren. I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with these tiny guys (they are very competitive nesters and will toss eggs and tiny babies

I loved this little scene that the Maxdone trail cam captured. The plant framing them was just too cute. I continue to be impressed with this tiny camera, the colors are fabulous too. Cardinals can be a challenge for budget cameras because they are so vibrant but they look pretty good here. #birds

The first one arrived with the Orioles, but I had not seen one after, until this morning! Hummingbirds are so cool, and when I moved to the US, I could not even imagine that we have them here ❤️ I wonder if the cold spring we are having may help seeing more hummers at feeders. #birds

The White-throated Sparrows have been here for a bit but today, a White-crowned also joined the yard. These are tough names to say for a non-native speaker 😆 I love the native sparrows, and the White-crowned is one of my favorites. Special "Chimera" RWBB is also still hanging around. #birds

More rain and cold today, which I am getting a bit tired off, but this kind of weather is always nice for bird photos. It gives them a different look, shows off the texture and makes some look so pitiful you just want to take them in and give them a towel and cocoa. And others look majestic 🖤 #birds

Madame Chickadee has built such a big cozy nest that it is hard to see what is going on in there, but this morning, she revealed at least three, maybe four eggs ☺️ She is not on maternity leave yet, laying an egg per day and

Today the weather was finally very nice, and I worked in the garden too. I dug up the old fence and my body is still in winter mode so I will suffer tomorrow 🫣😆 But it was so nice. And the Maxdone trail cam picked up some fun things. The White-throated Sparrows love this spot!

A timelapse of the Chickadee nest, from building until tonight. She has spent the night in the box from day 2. I am not sure if she has started laying eggs but it is possible since she has stopped bringing moss in and is mostly furnishing with more fuzz. Apart from the raccoon hair I

The guys may be loud and flashy, but the ladies are holding their own as well. The Goldfinches are turning more yellow, the Grosbeaks are still arriving, the Woodpeckerine is now showing up more, and the Redwinged Blackbird ladies like to hang out in groups. #birds

The Chickadee has been very busy, adding lots of fuzzy things to her nest. She may have started laying eggs already, so a couple of days ago when things looked very much completed, I added the Wren guard. Thankfully, she accepted it. She has been spending the nights

The fancy Redwinged Blackbird with potential bilateral gynandromorphism is still around, here are some more clips from the last couple of days. Every time I think it must be a molt, this bird turns around and looks completely like a female. So intriguing. It also has a lot of red on the face. #birds

I went back for some touch-ups yesterday, and now there's a glow bug too 😍☺️ We were discussing too - how do you call these guys? Lightning bugs, glow bugs, fireflies? I usually say glow bug, probably because it is the easiest back translation from the German Glühwürmchen.

Bird courtship is fun to watch, and one thing I like the best is to see the male feeding the female because as a human, it looks like a kiss. This is to strengthen their bond and ensure a successful breeding season. And it is adorable. Cardis in lurve! (House finches do it too.)

A handsome bunch of guys today (Rosebreasted Grosbeak, Cardi, Grackle, Redwinged Blackbird). #birds

The Oriole returned today, and I also heard one sing in the trees 🧡 Then there was also the first Rosebreasted Grosbeak here today, and yesterday also the first hummingbird. Huge groups of birds are migrating right now, so every day may give you new surprises. Work at the desk is tough right now!

After seeing them popping up all over the birding groups, I can finally also say that the first Oriole of the year has arrived here. I cannot wait to hear their calls in the tree tops. #birds #thegoodkindoforange

Any guesses on the warbler? I put it through Merlin and it said Pine or Blackpoll Warbler. I am not really good with Warblers, to me it does look like both.

I planted a Redbud tree, and there was a lot going on in the yard. I made another nest material station. There you see a Robin, Junco, Thrasher, baby squirrel that licks every rock, at the bath a mystery Warbler - Pine? Blackpoll?, & a Chipping Sparrow at the Bee Cups 😆 Spring is the best season!

Ok, Special Ed RWBB was back. What do we think? (It shows off like a male at the end, unfortunately I do not have perfect sound, not sure if it made a sound.) #birds

And this is how Grackles are made 😃 #birds #nature

The Serviceberry is already blooming, and there is a lot of wooing going on the the yard. The Redwinged Blackbirds are so expressive, especially on a sunny day. It is funny to me how their looks range from gloriously magnificent to hilariously goofy. Nature! I'd be weak too if I was a RWBB girl 🤩😁

I am streaming one of the nestboxes where a Chickadee builds a nest. She started this morning in the other box that the BBs usually use. The other one is also still building. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nS8... I will probably stop it at night. #birds

A MoDo here as today's Michigan weather representative. We got sleet, hail, sun, clouds, wind and frost, all in one day 😆 My wrapped bean plants look rather eerie outside in the dark, as if a ghost is visiting. Stay warm and come good into the week, which hopefully only brings good things 💓

This is the most interesting looking Redwinged Blackbird I have seen so far. It is kind of half female, half male. It is probably an immature male that is changing into summer plumage but the almost clear separation is cool to look at. This is not the best footage but I hope to get more. #birds

The White-throated Sparrows have returned, and there are at least two. Males and females look alike but there are two different morphs. The first one here is the white-striped morph, the second one with the

A couple of clips from the Vinguys feeder cam today. I am still impressed with the video quality (the best res is with SD card recordings). I did not zoom in because this is also my petition to all feeder cam makers to stop forcing the date stamp on us 😛 #birds

And with that, nesting season has officially begun here. I am so happy that they chose this box and hope that everything goes well. This little lady has a lot of work ahead of her with that big box. We may see baby Chickadees again ❤️ #nestwatch

I always try to add something that the birds will use to perch in the right spot for the camera. I like these small hidden spots especially for birds that do not visit feeders a lot, so I am looking forward to the coming weeks. Also, look at that flirty Grackle 😍

I got to try out another Kingsyard feeder, a ground feeder. It has a mesh insert so rain is not an issue. I used it on the lawn and got some hilarious night scenes. Skunks are so funny, their "butt of war" reminds me of quarrels with my sisters when we were kids 😆

The #birds seemed a bit hesitant at first but a Robin and a Blue Jay got into a splash battle eventually, and I think it's safe to say they enjoyed themselves. Watching bathing birds is one of my favorite things, and I hope you enjoy this little compilation. I think the Blue Jay won 😆

The weather forecast didn't show frost anymore, so I decided to put the pond back in. Things are still slow and everything looks barren but I am doing it piece by piece. I know people were curious about the pond, so here is what the liner looks like. I am hoping for some migration action this week!

The MoDos are still going to posing school, they are masters at the couple portrait 😆 And the Cowbirds have returned. They are very interesting native birds that get a lot of hate for their breeding behavior, they practice parasitic breeding. Nature made them this way. Happy Friday!

It has been very nice today, and I opened the windows in the sunroom to let a breeze in so it doesn't get too warm and there was a kick! We are expecting a nicer stretch of temperatures but this is Michigan, and until Mother's Day, you cannot really rely on the weather. How exciting! 🦋

The manager is up early, making sure surveillance is not interrupted and squirrels kept in check. A heated bed helps keeping warm when you're on duty all day long.

A day on the branch. I like how the light changes and how this camera does colors (this is the Maxdone again). I haven't put peanut butter on this branch in a while, but the #birds seem to like this branch regardless, it is a good vantage point.

I am so happy that we live in a world with so many wonderful things to explore and see. Look at all these goobers. They are hilarious and smart and fascinating. I love them so much ❤️ #birds

It remains frosty outside but the Chickadees have been visiting the nestboxes every day. They do seem to be more interested in this one and have kind of started to "measure for drapes".In 2024 when they used this box last, they started building on April 14th.