This may be an area of avian information that may be beyond your limits of good taste, so my apologies in advance.

Patty and I have had a family of (loud) House Wrens nesting in the yard this summer, and it has been a lot of fun listening and watching as they clamor for food.

The wrennettes are voracious eaters, which ultimately causes a big problem because the parents can't keep up with the plumbing.

I noticed that the opening to nest box was getting a large white ring around it, so large that I wondered whether the little ones would be able to fledge.

The answer is: This is common among House Finches, and there is even a term for it. It apparently applies to House Wrens as well.

You can read more about it here. Check out the first bulleted item.It's like Christmas in June, but not at all.

You cannot make this stuff up!

Since early May, I have had a motion-sensitive trail cam next to Stiles Thomas bird drip.

I have deleted thousands of images and kept a few, including a little surprise or two.

We can I.D. most of them. How about you?  I'll post at least two a week so as no prolong the agony.

(I would have gotten a high-def trail cam but they cost three times as much.)

Ronald Raven sez:

Don't miss Jim Wright's column on Thursday in The Record.

It's about a talking Raven like me, only better.

The trails are drying out, but I am still amazed that folks show up in flip-flops. The Celery Farm is a natural area, people, not Disney World. :- )

Did a little fallen-tree removal this a.m. Before and after are above and below.

Saw this guy -- and many other kinds of dragonflies -- in the Clove at High Mountain yesterday.

Anyone care to I.D. it? I need to get back in shape!

Killed a few biting flies as well, so wear bug spray if you go.