More recent backyard wildlife.....

The weather has been rather pleasant lately, so I have spent more time outside.

 This Buckeye butterfly was sunning itself on the driveway.

 It's hard to hide when you are bright red, but Mr. Cardinal was trying his best :-) 

 Chickadee trying to get the sunflower seeds from the ball feeder.

 Two Mourning Doves in the tray feeder......they usually stay on the ground.

 Tried to decide if this was a young Hairy or a young Downy.....the bill seems rather long, so I'd say Hairy.

 A House Sparrow youngster on the frog fountain.

 I think these are the only Hummingbird shots I have gotten so far this year!

 A very pale Phlox in the front garden.  I don't remember having this color before, but like it.

 Your House Sparrow looking for food.

 Silver Spotted Skipper on the honey vine.

The Tiger Swallowtail decided to try the lilies.

 A Cardinal family gleaning the seeds under the feeder.....a youngster

 .....and the parents

This Titmouse was getting frustrated trying to get an old peanut out of the feeder.....another youngster.  I'm seeing lots of young birds of all kinds at the moment, which means there have been plenty of successful nests this year!

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I've been trying to put out less seed because the other night I had a whole family of raccoons....mom and 3 young.....plus a skunk...... out looking for food under the feeders!  I don't need that many varmints hanging around the house!  I want to feed the young birds and their parents, but 4 raccoons is about 3 too many.  It is too much trouble to take the feeders in at night, so I try to guess how much will be eaten and control the spillage.