A Red Bird

It seems as though the birds are out and about again, scavenging for food and singing and enjoying the weather.  This little red one was on my back porch the other day.  He was so bright and bold, right up next to my door.  I don't think I have ever seen one this color before, at least up close like this.  I would love a nice bird feeder out in my yard, something with a couple different tiers and places for them to eat.  There are so many birds here I have never seen before,  I would love to see who I could get to come visit.

Going with the flow...

We went to Jacksonville, Florida a couple weekends ago.  We didn't go to celebrate the holiday (which holiday was it again?)  We had a plan, we were going to go do this, then we wanted to do this, then we were going to eat there, and then we were going to see if we couldn't do this, and, and, and...

We learned a valuable lesson, sometimes it's better to just go with the flow, sometimes what we think we want or need to do isn't what is really in store for us at all, sometimes we need to step back and let the day just roll.

We ended up at this beautiful beach on Mayport Naval Base, and it was by shear chance.  Our day could not have been better or more fun.
(If you'll notice neither of the kids even have swimming suits)

A bird's nest

The kids and I have started going for walks and bike rides here recently since the weather has been so nice, and because it seems to be that time of year when the kids are starting to get crazy.  They feel cooped up, ready to BURST out of the house that has contained them for so long.  These winter months are hard on a body, being cooped up in a house all the time when you are little and NEED to be outside everyday is just so hard.
So with the nicer weather we have started to head outdoors!

Birds

I was standing at my kitchen window the other day and heard a bird talking in my tree.  I looked out and spotted this little spot of very bright yellow.  A few months ago I picked up a bird book for this area to see if I could recognize any of the birds that come to my feeder.  I haven't had much luck but am hoping it gets easier once I get used to how the book works and what to look for and such.  Anyway, I saw this really bright spot of yellow and thought it was very pretty and I had never seen one like this in my yard before so thought I would take a few pictures and see if I could figure it out.  By the time I got my camera it was already on the ground so I hope you can see it in the pictures.  You should be able to click on the picture to open it in a new screen so maybe that will get it big enough.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler would be my best guess as to what it might be.  What do you all think?