Well, not exactly. But there are certainly lots of bird families in our back yard. We have had a bluebird box for many years, and for many years pairs of bluebirds would use it for their home to raise a brood of fledglings. For some reason, for some time the box was not sufficiently attractive to bluebirds that inspected it in the early spring. This year that trend has been reversed, and a pair is now in a relay to keep their new hatchlings fed with insects. They started out with a clutch of six beautiful blue eggs. We’re not sure how many babies there are.
Bluebird box occupied for the first time in years
They are not the only birds, probably attracted by water in our fountains and birdbaths in the surrounding desert environment. Lesser goldfinch are feasting on niger thistle seeds. House finches have nested under one of the eaves. They try to crowd out the goldfinches on the feeder. A pair of mourning doves often sit on the garden wall. A pair of ladder back woodpeckers drill on a post that once supported our bat house. Black-chinned hummingbirds are at the feeders, and they will soon be joined by broadtails. A pair of barn swallows are scoping out a place next to our front door to build their nest under an overhang. We hope that our hawk and owl friends will visit our fountain, as well. Unfortunately we no longer see night hawks at dusk, perhaps because of the serious drought we have had for at least six years.
Hawk and owl in a water standoff
In the meantime, the herb garden is filled with flowers, some of them already fading. Our not-so-wild flowers are in full bloom. Columbines, wine cups, penstemons, buckwheat, paintbrush, gay feather, mallows, and many others make the courtyard look like a meadow. All in all, a great foreground for the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the east and the Jemez Mountains in the west. It is a wonderful time of year, and a wonderful place to be.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains across the trail
Sunset over the Jemez Mountains
From the Family Table 
Such amazing beauty everywhere!
Thank Lynn. Yes, it’s everywhere. You just have to open your eyes to see it. ☺️
That is so true! Gorgeous!
DARRYL, LOVED THE FLOWER SHOTS BUT ESPECIALLY THE OWL AND HAWK STANDOFF. WHAT KIND OF WATER FEATURE IS THAT?
KAYCE
Hi Kayce,
That’s an old Mexican grist mill stone. The birds love it.
I am a HUGE raptor lover, both hawks and owls plus eagles and ospreys! I absolutely LOVE your hawk and owl standoff photo. Hopefully if you get out of the drought there will be enough prey for the hawks and owls to come back. They require a lot of rodents, and with a drought there are less rodents in the area to sustain a clutch. Great post and great photos! Do you mind if I ask your first name? I like to know who I am addressing when I post, TY! 🙂
Thanks for your nice comment. I’ll trade names with you – my first name is Darryl. What’s yours?
My name is Kathryn! 🙂
Thanks, Kathryn. I always enjoy your blog posts.
Such an interesting post Darryl, I too love the shot of the hawk and owl standoff. Now about that stork…we have them here in our area of Florida.
Thanks, Karen. We don’t have storks – at least as far as I’m aware – but Florida has so much wildlife and plants. It’s a lovely place.
Absolutely gorgeous — love the photos!
Thanks, Anna. Glad you enjoyed the images.
Wow Darryl, I just love those photographs but especially the Hawk and the Owl. Found you by chance, but follow you now. And btw I see we both like Aubergines/Eggplants!!! 🙂 and chicken. Great taste! 🙂 Carina
Thanks for your nice comment. Those two birds looked like they wanted the same water. Thanks, too, for your follow. Regards.