The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are becoming more active as August is here, and the days getting shorter, and they start getting ready for their big trip south. This female ruby gave me the side-eye last evening while darting among the flowers . . .

Indigo Buntings sure do love to sing among the sunflowers (swipe to hear their birdsong - sound on!), but they sure aren't always easy to find, especially if there is wind and the sunflowers are swaying to and fro . . .

Pretty sure this sometimes silly and goofy bird is recognizable and needs no introduction even in silhouette. A Double-crested Cormorant drying out in a tree while the smoked-out and hazed sun descends into the horizon.

A male Ruby-throated dropped by for a quick visit, and it was good to see our old friend again. Maybe next time he will turn and face head-on so we can catch a glimpse of that glorious throat of his . . .

An American Bald Eagle delivers a fresh fish for dinner for his little eaglet in the nest.

To bumblebee or not to bumblebee, hmmmm? Just can't help myself when I'm sitting with the flowers to follow these guys from flower to flower and watch them hard at work. So, I'll go ahead and bumblebee and hope folks don't tire of seeing images of these wonders of nature.

A Snowberry Clearwing moth enjoying itself at the Milkweed buffet in early July. This sphinx moth is often mistaken for a bumblebee because of its color pattern . . .

While Mama watches with her eaglet in the nest cup, Papa negotiates some stiff southern breezes to deliver dinner for the family.

Someone was none too happy about his photo session, squawking and carrying one, and some mean stares to boot. And then the lady of the reeds shows up with a snack in her bill, and that didn't help any. Finally, he settled down, repositioned himself and gave me his best side for a quick portrait.

This female Yellow-headed Blackbird is one of several females (sometimes up to 8) attracted to a male's small territory among the reeds in the marsh. The scientific name for Yellow-headed Blackbird is Xanthocephalus, which means "yellow head" (All About Birds). Now say that three times real fast . . .