Bird views from our readers

This baby Tree Swallow was the last baby left in the nest. He hung out of the hole for a long time so Mama continued feeding him until he finally had the courage to fly. Photo taken by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak returns late Spring and we feel lucky when we see them in our yard. Photo by Jo Russell.

Female red-bellied woodpecker. Photo by Ron Bolinger.

Female red-bellied woodpecker. Photo by Ron Bolinger.

Pheasant by Ron Bolinger.

We hung baskets of tubular flowers and sugar water to attract this small Hummingbird to our window. Photo taken by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

This Cape May Warbler migrated with so many others that we were constantly refilling the suet feeders. Photo taken by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

Weõd only get a quick glimpse of a brilliant Scarlet Tanager before it disappears high up in the trees. Photo taken by Joe Russell, of Rochester.

We read that the male Cardinal feeds the female during courtship and we saw him doing it here. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

Every spring we get so excited when we see this vibrant blue Indigo Bunting in our backyard. Photo taken by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

This young female Oriole perched by our window to our delight. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

Wild Turkey at bird feeder by Daniel Blum, of rural Kasson.

Yellow rumped warbler taken by Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Redstart taken at Quarry Hill by Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Yellow warbler taken at Quarry Hill by Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Indigo bunting taken at White Water State Park by Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Indigo bunting taken at White Water State Park by Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Owl in camouflage taken by Luke Janssen, of Zumbrota, while on a hike at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester.

Orioles are one of the last birds to arrive in the Spring and were a welcome sight after our long winter. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

This baby Downy Woodpecker couldn't fly when we found it. After being hand fed and sitting with Cody Russell, he flew away. Photo by Amy Russell, of Rochester.

This duck was hanging around with a group of Mallards on Bear Creek in Rochester. It could be a white Mallard? Photo by Mark A. Van Houten, of Rochester.

Easter bluebird - My son gave me a bluebird house for Mother's Day and placed it in our lawn where we have enjoyed watching them gather food for their young. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

Easter bluebird - My son gave me a bluebird house for Mother's Day and placed it in our lawn where we have enjoyed watching them gather food for their young. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

This uncommon, wary pileated woodpecker comes to our bird feeder two feet from our window. We sit real still because he really watches us. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

This is my resident peacock Pete. He has been at my house for 341 days. My neighbor had been missing a peacock for 345 days! Photo by Tami Jones, of Eyota.

Baltimore oriole fledgling taken by Tami Jones, of Eyota.

Baltimore orioles taken by Ken McCasland, of Rochester.

Yellow-rumped warbler by the pond at Quarry Hill. Photo taken by Harry Cloft, of Rochester.

This mama sparrow has been awfully busy feeding her 4 babies. She flies to the feeder, then to one baby; back to the feeder, then to baby. Lots of backyard entertainment. Lori Meath, of Rochester.

Close-up of a bird's nest taken by Luke Janssen, of Zumbrota, while on a hike at Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester.

My first Orchard Oriole! His chest was a rich chestnut color, very different from his cousin the Baltimore. Photo by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

Mourning dove taking in the sunshine by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

Glenda Mueller, of Rochester photographed this gosling near Autumn Ridge church in SW Rochester.

A ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeder of Lauren Allen, of Rochester.

Killdeer with inset of nest, on the Zumbro River. Photo by Lauren Allen, of Rochester.

Where does the green heron put that neck when it is not extended? Photo by Lauren Allen, of Rochester.

Here is a photo of a yellow finch outside my front window at my new bird feeder. Photo by Shari Henderson, of Rochester.

This mama sparrow has been awfully busy feeding her 4 babies. She flies to the feeder, then to one baby; back to the feeder, then to baby. Lots of backyard entertainment. Lori Meath NE Rochester.

The rose-breasted grosbeak returns late spring and we feel lucky when we see them in our yard. Photo by Jo Russell, of Rochester.

Woodpecker and cardinal taken by Glenda Hoenk, of Rochester.

Great egret taken in Sacramento, CA by Ruth Johnson, of Rochester.

Bluebird taken by Ken McCasland, of Rochester.

American eagle perched in pine tree by Joan Contezac, of Rochester

This is what we are greeted by as we walk out our front door, the baby robins are hungry. Taken by Diane LeClair, of St Charles.

Red-headed wood pecker busy working on a tree. Photo by Pam Lamb, of Rochester.

Meadowlark by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

Swallows by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

Robin in bird bath by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

Blue grosbeak by Patricia Liffrig, of Mazeppa.

An eagle long the Mississippi River Boat cruise in LaCrosse. Taken by Suzanne Hyke.

Bird taken by Pam Lamb, of Rochester, in the Grand Canyon.

Snow geese in flight taken at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, CA by Ruth Johnson, of Rochester.

Great Egret taken in Sacramento, CA by Ruth Johnson, of Rochester.

Barred owl aken at Forestville State Park by Ruth Johnson, of Rochester.

Juvenile red tailed hawk "mantling" over a ground squirrel kill. Photo taken in Sutter County, California by Ruth Johnson, of Rochester.

Turkey Vulture in Flight in Fillmore County. Taken by Ruth E. Johnson, of Rochester.

Canada Geese taking flight. Photographed by Marcella Chester, of Rochesterat a pond two miles east of town.

Baby blue jay looking for its mother by Joan Contezac, of Rochester

Green heron taken at Quarry Hil by Lori Meath, of Rochester.