Life on the Chautauqua Ridge 

T-storms moving into western New York State over Lake Erie this morning.

A wild t-storm blew through the area this morning that left piles of hail stones at the end of the gutters on the back of our garage.

This photo was taken around 9:45 p.m. which still shows a bit of the lingering sunset during these longest days of the year.

A lone boater scoots across the calm waters of Lake Erie at sunset tonight.

A strange sunset tonight with a dark phantom-like cloud in the mix.

The brood patch on this female Rose-breasted Grosbeak is visible on her underside.

Red-bellied Woodpecker with a big helping of suet from the feeder.

A tough one to ID but this is definitely a Purple not a House Finch. Deeply notched tail, purple head with an even darker crown and his back is edged with pink. A prominent local birder of the past named Roger Tory Peterson once described them as sparrows dipped in raspberry juice.

A subdued sunset in the hazy evening sky on the last day of Spring 2012.

These fledglings didn't look too interested in their flying lessons today.

Male Widow Skimmer Dragonfly

...until tomorrow!

I'm fairly certain this female Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a nest in the bush behind her. No one can go near it without her flying out of it and chattering at any intruder including other hummingbirds.

I'm fairly certain this female Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a nest in the bush behind her. No one can go near it without her flying out of it and chattering at any intruder including other hummingbirds.

Low clouds in the southern sky reflect tonight's sunset and give off a dramatic glow.

Big name for a tiny butterfly.

Cedar Waxwing hunting for insects closes in on its prey.

A fledgling Oriole waits patiently at the top of the jelly feeder while dad feeds one of the other siblings.

Father Sky showing off for Mother Earth this evening!

There are still large numbers of Cedar Waxwings in the area this week. I'm thinking there may be bird irruptions due to the heat in the midwest, fires in the west and drought in the south. There also seems to be unusually large numbers of Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks this year.

He swallowed it whole just seconds after I snapped this shot.

Halfway through 2012...