5-26-25 Black Gamecock hybrid iris

Another iris began blooming the last week of May. The 'Black Gamecock' is known as a Louisiana Iris cultivar. Five native species in Louisiana will spontaneously hybridize in the wild. This one is a vigorous, cold hardy selection. Hummingbirds will visit it.

It was given to me years ago by my friend, Judith Speck and is still going strong. Thank you, Judith!

Louisiana Iris - 'Black Gamecock'

5-23-25 Veery 5-23-25 American Redstart first spring male

A Veery and a first spring male American Redstart were seen on 5-23-25. The little redstart has a ways to go to get its black plumage. By next year, it will be in breeding splendor.

5-27-25 American Crow

An American Crow became Bubbler bird #66 for the year on 5-27-25. These birds are more wary than a lot of the smaller species. 

  5-27-25 Am Crow with added Bay-breasted and Blackburnian Warblers

Look closely at this photo. I was curious, so I layered in an earlier photo of two warblers, the Bay-breasted and Blackburnian, to make a composite photo showing the differences in size between them all. Crows are 3-3.5 times the length of the warblers. The crows weigh in at 16 oz. and the warblers at just 0.5 oz and 0.4 oz. Well, American Crows are huge in comparison, aren't they? 

5-28-25 Eastern Bluebird eggs

Eastern Bluebirds have begun their second nesting. The female had laid five eggs by Memorial Day. 

5-28-25 Bay-breasted Warbler female 5-28-25 Bay-breasted Warbler female 5-28-25 Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided Warblers female 5-28-25 Chestnut-sided Warbler female 5-28-25 Bay-breasted Warbler female

On 5-28-25, two warblers were seen at lunchtime, visiting the stream bed. Female Bay-breasted and Chestnut-sided Warblers were flitting around together. They approached the water when a chipmunk disturbed them and they flew.

  6-1-25 Chestnut-sided Warbler female -LATEST WARBLER

6-2-25 Chestnut-sided Warbler female -LATEST WARBLER 6-2-25 Chestnut-sided Warbler female -LATEST WARBLER 6-2-25 Chestnut-sided Warbler female -LATEST WARBLER

One, maybe two female Chestnut-sided Warblers stayed around and were photographed on 6-1-25 and 6-2-25. This is my latest spring documentation of a migrating warbler. Birds of this species have been seen into early June and presumed to be non-breeders.

5-27-25 Fawn 5-29-25 Doe and Fawn

The first White-tailed Fawn was seen on 5-27-25. This doe is likely to be a new mama since there is only one fawn.

5-21-25 Hairy Woodpecker immature 5-21-25 Hairy Woodpecker immature

Another newbie seen was this young Hairy Woodpecker on 5-21-25. It made itself right at home investigating the water at the basin. Note the red feathers on top of its head. 

6-2-25 Hairy Woodpecker immature 6-2-25 Hairy Woodpecker immature 6-2-25 Hairy Woodpecker immature

The little bird returned on 6-2-25 and really got into hugging the bubble! Our place is a playground for these birds as they learn about life. In such a short time they need to figure out how to feed and clean themselves, and stay out of trouble!

On that note, it's time for me to catch up on weeding and reading Doug Tallamy's new book,

"How Can I Help?" and watching his upcoming webinar.

Interested in learning more about why native plants are so important?

Check out Doug Tallamy's website:

Homegrown National Park