Feathered friends

I've noticed a big increase in the visibility of birds in our backyard lately.  We have a fairly bird-friendly backyard I like to think, with a bird bath, wild bird seed, and a hummingbird feeder.  And of course---BUGS. 

We've had plenty of Eastern bluebirds.

The hummingbirds have been enjoying the nature-made nectar from the cannas (and buzzing Mr. GV's head when he is wearing his bright yellow bike jersey-lol), but they also like the woman-made nectar I put out.  We have two that I have seen, both either female or juvenile (no red band around the neck.)  I imagine they will be heading south soon, so I will load them up with energy as long as they stick around. 

We *finally* refilled the finch feeder.  We had the thistle and we had the feeder.  It was just a matter of cleaning the thing and getting the socks set up.  The elastic wears out over time and of course you can buy new ones, but why do that when a rubber band works just as well?  They are holding up well, with very heavy amounts of thistle bearing down on them.  The finches took about a day to find the feeder, and since then they feed regularly.

Apparently the Eastern bluebirds like to bathe solo.  One takes off as another one prepares to land.