Mockingbird Delights

Mockers LOVE just about any fruit or berry tree/bush, seeds, lizards, are very territorial,(no one dares mess with their fruit or any part of their life for that matter), and sing endlessly. Currently at this time of year, our loquat tree is flowering and blooming fruit. The mocker adores these and has been more and more dominant in the backyard with the cardinals becoming less (they manned the yard all summer). The Mockingbird is the Florida state bird. They nested in our backyard the spring of 2011. Patience is required on humans as they will nest in a public pathway and their protective tendencies can be misinterpreted. Like, they'll dive bomb ya so take cover! More frightening than anything. I don't think this small little bird could actually hurt you. The rewards of being able to watch the babies grow up and learn to be independent in your yard is worth it though. One of the cutest things (outside of 4 babies playing in a ceramic water dish), I think we ever saw was them being fed podicarpus berries on our front porch. It is quite a task for a baby to learn how to get that berry in their mouth themselves. It takes practice and time to develop the skill,and makes for a very messy porch.

A cute puffed up Mockingbird enjoys the Loquat Tree in our yard on this brisk sunny morning.

Mocker dining on the firecracker bush berry.

Mocker at the feeder munching on seeds-seems to be a new thing for him. Never seen him at the feeder before. I think he just wants to take it from the Cardinals. This is their favorite feeder which is actually a standing candle holder I took the glass out of.

And this is a great big ole peanut in his mouth!