In this part of the Midwest we mostly have ruby-throated hummingbirds; there is an occasional Rufous, but we've yet to have one visit. Still, we thoroughly enjoy our RTH friends during the spring and summer, especially the males as they show off their beautiful ruby throats . . .

An American Goldfinch in flight to its next flower victim . . .

Up close and personal with a hummingbird clearwing moth . . .

This Juvie Bald Eagle's feathering is so striking . . . but the fish about to get struck might disagree . . .

It's called catch and carry . . .

A juvenile Bald Eagle, perhaps 2 to 3 years old, making its getaway after a big catch . . . that's a beauty!

We all know about the symbiotic relationship between milkweed and the wonderful Monarch butterflies, but there is a dark side to milkweed, especially for bees . . .

The peonies in these parts start bursting forth in June, and for the longest time I thought ants helped the peonies bloom; they somehow helped the blooms open up. Well, according to this great article by George Vopal from a few years back . . .

"I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an Eagle fly . . . " ~ John Denver

Another eagle nesting season will soon be winding down; it goes so fast. For eaglets, the time from hatching to fledging is around 10 to 12 weeks, and those days/weeks before fledging are some of the most fun to observe as they start gaining strength and coordination in their wings by wingercizing . . .