Pine Siskins in Pine
These Northern forest dwellers, the Pine Siskins, had never stopped by our urban backyard feeders before two seasons ago when 2 of the cute little birds showed up. They’re about the same size as a large Goldfinch
The Male House Finch
I keep watching the vast array of House Finches looking for a Purple Finch among them to no avail so far. But some of the male House Finches are somewhat beautiful though common as House Sparrows
Chickadee Neck Deep
Black-capped Chickadees are another one of those overachiever birds. They work hard for their food and energy.
The Cool Carolina Wren
The Carolina Wren is one of my favorite backyard birds. Most days I walk out back and hear the overly loud call of this small but powerful bird, whether it is singing, cheering or ditting away, looking for love, and other Carolina Wrens!
Second Visit by the Gray Squirrel
We just had our second visit ever to our backyard feeders by a black phase Gray Squirrel. I wanted to add a picture but it got spooked up a nearby tree by some noise outside.
Downy versus Hairy Woodpecker
Sometimes it is easy to tell the difference between a smaller Downy and larger Hairy Woodpecker but here are some woodpecker pictures showing how to tell the difference easily between the two woodpeckers without going just by size.
Mourning Dove in Snow
Not trying to rush winter but this is another picture I like – a Mourning Dove pecking seeds out of the snow from a past winter.
Goldfinch and Nuthatch on Nijer
Sometimes pictures just speak to you, and this shot of an American Goldfinch and a White-breasted Nuthatch on the Nijer seed sock is one I like.
Dreaming about Juncos
Funny that I posted about some of the birds that show up bringing in fall every year and then I had a dream last night, and there was a Junco in our back yard ushering in fall!
Crest-less Blue Jays
We seem to get this every fall – scruffy, balding looking Blue Jays that I assume are molting as the reason their head looks bald without much of a crest.
Pine Siskins invade our feeders
This only started happening the past two seasons but for brief periods we get invaded by cute little Pine Siskins that fly down out of the North woods to visit our backyard feeders.
A Harbinger of Fall
The little Dark-eyed Juncos show up each fall to announce fall is officially here and winter, their time is coming!
Chipping in the Evening
It’s interesting that almost every evening the last birds to show up outside at our backyard feeders are the Northern Cardinals. They come in to the sunflower and safflower feeders chipping away loudly so you can’t miss that they are there!
Juvenile Chipping Sparrow
Juvenile Chipping Sparrow pictures.
Another Hawk Interrupted!
No birds outside so I step out the door expecting the yellow feral cat only to once again spook a small Cooper’s Hawk out of the pine tree on the edge of our deck.
Juvenile Blue Heron out-fishes me!
Was on Lake Ovid today fishing, and watching a juvenile Great Blue Heron fishing up a storm on the humps. It was standing in deep water almost swimming, and every once in awhile would dart its head and snap up another small bluegill!
Are My Hummingbirds Gone?
Well, I was just saying my Hummingbirds are not gone yet but here it has now been almost 4 days without seeing one little hummer out back at any of the feeders.
Night of the Skunk
We have a new visitor out back. Smelled something skunky quite a few mornings but this is the first time we actually observed this skunk out back eating under our feeders!