Good morning. 7:04 a.m. today, on the road. Power lines in the view didn't bother me one bit.
Last winter, I took a stroll in the neighborhood and found a feeder station down the street that was loaded with American Goldfinches. I stood beyond that fence and watched them for a while, snapping a few photos, too. Green with envy I was, because my feeders were new and I hadn't seen a Goldfinch land on one of mine.
Two seasons have made a difference and now I can’t keep the finch feeders full. I never dreamed the Goldfinches would outnumber the Mourning Doves and House Finches here.
I'm not looking for them. They show up in every photo I take.
This is a new little finch feeder that replaces my red hummingbird feeder until April 1st. Sigh…
Nearly every day, I read posts of friends who always seem to have migratory newcomers that fly in and perch for the perfect photo. I admit to being sorely jealous sometimes. My birds are featured on pages xviii through xxiv of the Stokes Eastern Region Field Guide of Birds, entitled “Most Common Birds”.
Many of my blogging friends participate in Project Feeder Watch or keep lists and makes notes of the birds they see. I've never made a list or documented anything, so I thought I’d make a very impressive list of the birds I’ve seen around my house during the last four days. You had better sit down and brace yourself.
Cooper’s Hawk
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
Pine Siskin
Northern Cardinal
Carolina Chickadee
Brown Headed Nuthatch
Song Sparrow
White Throated Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Mourning Dove
Pigeon
House Finch
European Starling
Woo-Hoo!
Where are the Woodpeckers? Haven’t seen one in a few weeks!
As the days, weeks, and months go by, I see more birds here than I ever thought possible. They rely on what I offer so willingly.
Here are a few random photos taken since last Saturday. Same old, same old…
As the days, weeks, and months go by, I see more birds here than I ever thought possible. They rely on what I offer so willingly.
Here are a few random photos taken since last Saturday. Same old, same old…
This new feeder was intended to help the small birds. HA!
They love an audience.
Love them all. No complaints. Their distinct personalities make me smile - every same old, same old day.
18 comments:
They're beautiful!
Mary, I didn't even see the lines until you pointed them out. I just saw the beautiful sunrise. I think the mind sees what is most beneficial for it. Don'tworry. Love your photos.
Beautiful sunrise and you have quite the impressive list of birds you've recently seen! I'm trying to get a good picture of a beautiful pheasant that is in the greenbelt behind us.
I'm hoping!!
xo
Gee, Mary, I'd take even one of your goldfinches! Did you notice the one sneaking into the "little" feeder behind the mourning dove? Nothing shy about them!
My juncos arrived a couple of days ago. They really are "snow birds" around here. I'm going to make sure the snowbrush is still in my car from last winter!
Lovely sunrise! I also enjoy the goldfinches and am so happy they are back in force now. :c)
I seem to disagree that you are documenting your birds via the blog all the time! But was wonderful to see your list that you saw! Also, the Goldfinch seem to have invaded my house also!
Mary--not to fret. 1) you know the names of all the birds who stop by (even if occasionally the Science Chimp has to correct you); 2) you can put feeders out and have birds come by in droves without fear of a dive-bombing peregrine falcon.
Hey Mare,
That's a pretty good list of birds for just 4 days. My goldfinch numbers have declined a bit, but it sounds like you're giving them what they love with new feeders and lots of fresh nyjer seed. You win the GOLD(finch) medal!
Beautiful photos!
We're loaded with goldfinches, too. I think we've been spending more money on thistle seed than we do on gasoline!
Hey! That list is nothing to sneeze at. To think, there are people to see birds around their house or on their way to work, and they are not actually "seeing" them. You do "SEE" them, and you know their names.
Birders are the coolest damn people in the world.
P.S. We have upwards of 30 goldfinches in the yard at a time. I will be curious to see the CBC this year, and how their numbers are compared to other years.
2007 is the year of the FINCH.
Dear Mary,
Nice list! I too love them all.
Great photos! You have the eye.
I do understand the desire to see the rare and unusual but when the regulars are happy and know me I think all is well in the world.
We are backyard birders...we do the best we can.
Nice new feeder. The Finches are lovely and so sweet. The Woodpeckers are out eating bugs. They will be back for nuts and suet any day now.
Hugs,
Sherry
Mary, I may try to list the birds which come to our yard - you have inspired me.
What great bird pictures! I love watching them too and have enjoyed the challenge of attracting them to my yard. I've never used shelled peanuts in a feeder before.
Beautiful--and your yard list is impressive to me! I've never seen a pine siskin. I hear they're everywhere this year (along with the evening grosbeaks) but I've still got lemons. Someday!
Gorgeous Sunrise! I love sunrises. The colors are so pretty. The Cardinal... xoxo Nita
OK Mary those nuts in that feeder oviously NOT for the squirrels..how do the birds get them..do they just pick away at the nuts?? I feed those to the squirrels and blue jays..just throw them out or place on a table..
there is nothing same and old about your nature photos! Each and everyone
I LoVe!! hugs aNNa xo
Mary with the list! You're on a roll now.Next year you'll be bushwacking in South America!
Hi Mary,
It's so funny that you should visit my blog today. I went to yours this morning after seeing you mentioned in Ruthie's blog!!
I have the very same nyger feeder. We have had more Goldfinches than I can ever recall before. In fact, we have more Goldfinches than anything else! And I also haven't seen any woodpeckers yet. They do seem to come out in the deep of winter though.
I'm looking forward to checking in on you!
--Robin (Bumblebee)
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