Tuesday, December 09, 2008

A Bright Yellow Rump

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Do we call them “butter butts”? Those Yellow-rumped Warblers?

The backyard birds have their space now. I don’t intrude much as it will take time for them to know me like they did before. I’m hanging back and saving my stalking skills for later…


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A drink of pond water will be good. I might hop on that comfortable rock over there and sip a bit.

They were thirsty little birds who spent a few hours around the yard, landing on the pond when they needed a break. They’ve been in my backyard before, a few at a time; however, I was never able to get a snapshot.



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Standing in a shaded corner of my back deck, I didn’t dare to move closer, or breathe, for that matter. I'd like to paint this picture.



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First winter male, myrtle form. If my ID is incorrect, please break it to me gently? ;-)



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His portrait.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my camera?


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Song sparrow joined him for a sip-n-dip social.


And, in the birdy tree/bush near the feeders, the Carolina Wrens allowed me a few snapshots for a few nanoseconds. I need to identify the tree/bush.



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I find them in the garage and sleeping on my front porch and under the back deck.



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It’s nice to be so close to them.


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I apologize. This is the last photo I’ll show of the feeder warden.

What is chicken soup for my soul?
Watching what happens outdoors and falling in love with my camera again.

38 comments:

SaraG said...

Wonderful photo's!!
Glad you are loving your new camera and giving it a workout!!
Take care

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Butter butt!
Butter butt!
Butter butt!

The little kid in mt loves saying that.

Awesome pix May. My pond is under 4 inches of ice all ready!

Carol Michel said...

I love your camera, too, and how you use it. Great pictures. You need to write a book on backyard birding. Yes, you do. Don't argue with me. I'll buy it, but my copy should be signed, of course.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

Richard said...

Great pictures...we all love your camera too...lol. I've got Lynne beat...my pond (lake) is under about 10 inches of ice.

Anonymous said...

It is nice to be able to have such fun birds right in the back yard. Nice group of photos.

Wendy said...

Nice bird pics. I like the turtle too. Yeah, I know he's not real, but he adds some character to the garden.
I'm happy you love your camera and share with all of us.

Anonymous said...

Nice butter butt shots! Who needs feeders? That pond of yours is a great bird attracter. Gotta get me one of them things.

KGMom said...

Awww-sweet little birds.
I give up on IDing many of the birds around our feeders--but I do love to see them.

Dog_geek said...

Nice photos of some beautiful birds. I'm glad that you and your camera and your birds are all getting reaquainted!

Kim said...

I love the photos!! The photo with the bird on the pond is so sweet.

Your new camera takes fabulous photos.

Susan Gets Native said...

Rock on, Mary.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Mary!!! You must have a good camera. Those are GREAT pictures! Congrats.

MicheleRF said...

Terrific shots Mary! What is not to love about that camera and the great eye behind it. When can we expect to see the painting of the butter butt?

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Yes, your new camera is amazing and you are the master photographer! I agree with Carol, a nice book on backyard birding full of your gorgeous pictures!

TR Ryan said...

Those photos are just amazing. Have you a bird blind that allows you such proximity to your subjects. These are amazing!

Aim said...

These look great! What fun to get such good photos of birds...Making me miss the greenery too, under all our snow in Illinois!!!

Unknown said...

Mary I am so happy for you. Our back yards are full of adventure and surprises. You are going to be one darn good bird expert by the time you go to the festival next year.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Great photos Mary. It is so difficult to capture warblers they are so busy. I love the picture of the butter butt on the turtle. I don't mind seeing the feed warden any time.

I hope you are feeling better.

Jayne said...

Yay! Mary has butterbutts! I am jealous as I've only had sightings of one or two here and no photo ops. Love your new camera too girl!

RuthieJ said...

Awesome photos Mary! I'm glad the good birds are back in your yard.

P.S. Has your magazine article been published yet?

Mary said...

Ruthie, not yet. It'll be out mid-December :o)

Anonymous said...

Magazine article? What magazine article? Did I miss something? And while I'm at it , I want your book, too ( re: Carol's comment) should you ever decide to do one!
I'm SO happy that you are loving your new camera- I'm still plugging away with my z612- but honestly, your results with this fuji have me drooling!! Gorgeous photos, Mary! Of course, I do realize that photos are 99% the result of a good photographer... and that would be you! Now about that book...!
hugs, gretchen

Appalachian Lady said...

Great photos. What is that camera? It takes great photos. I remember you said you had a point/shoot--it gets better photos than my SLR!

You get some interesting birds at your feeder. I agree with previous commenter that you should write a book about backyard birding.

Donna said...

Glad to hear you're enjoying your camera, and enjoying those little birdies outdoors. Your photos are fabulous!

Ruth said...

I love "the portrait"!

Cheryl said...

Fabulous bird shots Mary.....

I am glad you are out and enjoying your camera......continue having fun.......

spookydragonfly said...

Just browsing and found your blog. I enjoyed going back and reading alot of your posts. Since I took in a couple of stray cats(and their kittens), alot of my birds don't come too close to the cabin...enjoyed your photos!

Tina said...

Mary,
What a lovely walk thru your backyard..ahh I needed that after today's craziness of shopping and baking! I love your photos and am in awe of your camera, and of course the photographer!! You have several photos I would say are portraits! Beautiful! thanks!!

BJ said...

Just fantastic shots Mary! Every last one of them. But you know what? I love that striped little song sparrow watching the other one take a dip! The pattern is so pretty. So glad for you that your birdies are coming back to feast in your yard!

Thanks for sharing these! Hope it's not too cold down there!

NCmountainwoman said...

What lovely photographs. I keep watching carefully among the birds hoping to find a "Butter butt" but no luck.

I don't think I really LOVE my camera. Perhaps I need to get a new one?

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Yay, Mary!
Pretty little birds posing for you--and thinking about starting another art form!
You'd be a great painter, I'm sure. After all, the camera is just a tool. Your eye for beauty is your talent!

jason said...

I'm so happy the birds are returning, Mary! And I'm thrilled you're getting a chance to enjoy the wonders you so obviously love.

Stalking skills, huh? I know how that goes. Those are important abilities we have to keep sharp like a blade.

You so beautifully capture the childlike joy I myself find as nature unfolds around me. Television producers just wish they could make entertainment this good!

Unknown said...

Really great photos Mary! You have a great eye ... and a great camera. You need to love your camera to take good photos. It's part of the camera bonding experience.

Heather said...

Awww, cute little Butter Butt! Absolutely fantastic photos Mary. I'm with Appalachian Lady - please remind us what kind of camera you're using. The images are so sharp! And I don't care what you say, I love that Mockingbird! Glad the birds are coming back 'round.

Naturegirl said...

Mary you did a great job of offering
"chicken soup for my soul"!
Great images..how do you continually capture such heart warming images!
Thank you .now I'll return to my frozen pond and snow..so much snow!!
BTW..that 4th image.perfect!

Kerri Farley said...

It's chicken soup for my soul too!
Actually, just visiting your blog is like a nice dose of chicken soup!

Your bird portraits are AWESOME as usual Mary! You have really gotten the hang of that camera!

Rurality said...

Nice butter-butts! Your bird pics are always so nice and crisp, and I'm always so jealous! :)

One of the first times my husband ever went birdwatching with me, we saw lots of those guys... it was springtime and every little movement seemed to turn out to be a butter-butt. Hubby really got angry at the way people said, "oh, just another butter-butt..." He thought they were great.

Q said...

You and your camera have bonded!
I love how all these pictures are perfect!
WOW!
I love your camera too!
Birds are good for the soul.
Mary is good for the spirit!
Thank you,
Sherry