![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mtnmacaw.files.wordpress.com\/2010\/04\/calliope.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
<\/a>This is the smallest bird in North America, perched on the tip of a Crab-apple tree next to the front of our deck. <\/p><\/div>\n
This morning the weather surprised us with snow showers.\u00a0 It’s very cool outside and we haven’t seen any of our little hummer friends so far today.\u00a0 They have probably gone down by the river where it’s a bit warmer.\u00a0 Silly weather!<\/p>\n
We put three nestboxes up, two on the house and one on the back of the garage.\u00a0 Last year we have a pair of Western Bluebirds using one of the nestboxes on the house.\u00a0 This year we have a pair of Mountain Bluebirds.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The male is a beautiful powder blue, like a piece of summer sky.<\/p><\/div>\n
It’s too early for these birds to actually start nesting, but it is definitely time to stake their claim.\u00a0 They’ve chosen the nest box by the front deck, probably because it has the best view to the west!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Here is his sweetie, being all fluffed at a pair of swallows flying past the nest box. She's perched on the edge of the solar panels.<\/p><\/div>\n
The solar panels appear to be a popular place to perch among the avian residents around our place.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Great Gray Owl is back! This largest owl in North America is sitting in the same spot as the hen bluebird was sitting. There is a slight size difference, eh?<\/p><\/div>\n
We have been so lucky to see this owl hanging around lately.\u00a0 It just makes our day every time we see this bird.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Sitting on a fence post; it's a great spot for hunting in the field. Their main source of prey is mice and we have an overabundance of those little creatures around here.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A apple tree branch makes a great spot to sit and stare into the dry grass under the branches.<\/p><\/div>\n
Fortunately for the neighborhood bunnies, the owl would rather have a mouse.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Enjoying a snack of fresh green grass, these bunny buddies are getting along well. And that means pretty soon we'll have baby bunnies bouncing around the yard.<\/p><\/div>\n
Mish absolutely loves watching the rabbits.\u00a0 Of course, I’m not saying what he would absolutely love to do with them, but everybody is safe.<\/p>\n