Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The Whole Family Together

For the first time, both Apple and Cider brought their fawns (Pie and Spicy) to the feeding area at the same time. I couldn't get a photo of the group, but here is a video.


Apple and Pie - Aug. 18, 2009


Cider and Spicy




On July 30th, Cider brought her fawn to the property. She has been named "Spicy".






Sunday, July 5, 2009

New Arrival - Apple's fawn

About 6am this morning, we had a quick glimpse of Apple's fawn. This was the first time she brought her fawn to the property. Upon going out to deliver the morning breakfast of deer feed and apples, our other resident deer, Nutmeg, was already at the feeding station. Nutmeg's presence seemed to make Apple nervous and Apple took her baby back into the woods. We have named the new fawn Pie.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Goldfinch















House Finch




We have recently put out a Thistle Feeder and have been enjoying seeing a variety of finches.




Rose Breasted Grosbeak




BREEDING: Deciduous forest, woodland, second growth. 1 or 2 broods. Mating system is monogamous.

DISPLAYS: Courtship: male sings in flight pursuit of female; male crouches, spreads and droops wings with tail spread and slightly elevated, retracts head with nape against back; male sings and waves head and body in erratic dance.



NEST: Loosely built of twigs, coarse plant material, lined with fine twigs, rootlets, hair. Cup shaped nest, 5-15 feet above the ground. Male may select site. Female builds nest with help from male.EGGS: 3-5 pale green, blue, or bluish-green, marked with browns, purples; usually wreathed or capped. 1.0" (25 mm).



CHICK DEVELOPMENT: Both sexes incubate. Incubation takes 13-14 days. Development is altricial (immobile, downless, eyes closed, fed). Young leave the nest after 9-12 days. Both sexes tend young.



DIET: Insects, seeds, fruit, buds. Including some flowers. Occasionally gleans from ground.