Tuesday, January 26, 2010

B for Birds! (that was easy!)




is for Bountiful Birds

a Bevy of Beauty
a Bonanza of Bridd



We returned home Friday afternoon (Jan. 22, 2010),
after having been gone for a few days.
We found...
Lots of ICE ... (Check out our driveway!)

... and hungry Birds.

Click on any of the photos below.
Most enlarge somewhat.


American Goldfinches on the left and a Common Flicker on the right.


Common Flicker (yellow-shafted form)

Below, left to right:
Purple (male) Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, American Goldfinch


For most of the day, Saturday, it rained.
On Sunday we could see the grass!


More Birds - photos taken Sunday, January 24, 2010.

Again, left to right, American Goldfinch, Purple (female) Finch, A. Goldfinch
Is it not a wonder how these little birds can crack open shells, and eat the seeds without losing the "goodie?"



















Purple (male) finch

Purple (female) Finch (so cute?)


"Hey! What does a fellow have to do to get in on the grub around here?"
(I heard the chickadee say, quite plainly!)


The same sentiments were echoed by the Red-bellied Woodpecker,
not more than a few minutes later. :-)

This next photo was taken January 6, 2010.
It's a female Northern Cardinal
at the
Birdbath.


A veritable Battery of Birds in and around their Bathtub and Beyond!




B is for Birdhouse
The photo below was taken May 18, 2009,
shortly after it was put in the Sunny Corner Garden Bed.

Monday (1/24/10) I walked past the living room...

More SNOW! Actually, I'm relieved.
We're supposed to have snow at this time of year.
It's beautiful and I love to watch it fall.
(esp. if you don't have to travel far!)

The same Birdhouse, as taken from the kitchen window
at 8:00 A.M. Monday, Jan. 24.


The photo below was taken December 31, 2009:

Bluebirds
in Barbie's (one of my sisters) tree!

The tree is now 2 1/2 years old. Isn't it great that it's being used?
:-)


Best Wishes for the day!


Nothing shady here, besides a few shifting shadows.


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

How heartening to see the birds coexisting in such a friendly manner, Shady! Great capture of the red belly, they are a favorite here. I need to refill the suet feeder, that reminds me. :-)
Frances

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love the ones of the Woodpecker and Chickadee hanging by their feet, I wonder if the other birds greased the perch so they'd slip off? :)
The snow does look very pretty and the birds seem to be very happy they have food and drink there.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Frances, Thanks for stopping by... It's been imperative to keep the feeders in food these days. :-)

Hi Catherine, lol. It looks like it! The snow IS pretty. I'm really not wishing Winter away, yet. :-)

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Terrific photos. You have really inspired me to pay more attention to the little critters hanging out in my garden. :)

Gail said...

Love all the beautiful birds~aren't they good companions on a winter's day! gail

Rose said...

Such a bounty of beautiful birds! Great job of portraying the B's, Shady! You certainly do have a lot of visitors and a variety as well. Looking at the video, I see how many feeders you have and realize I need to add more to the front yard if I want more of them to visit here. Love the red-bellied woodpecker--I've only seen them here a few times. Watching the birds certainly helps to make the winter days more enjoyable.

Roger Owen Green said...

You must have a zoom, because I could never get that close. I love the way the bird co-exist.

On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you! – Ramblin’ with Roger

troutbirder said...

Your backyard looks so serene with the bird and snow falling, Shady.
btw We have the same shepherds staff to hang feeder from. I'm not sure thats what it's called actually?

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kate, You're a welcome visitor. :-) I love the "critters!"

Gail, Absolutely! One can while-away quite a bit of time watching them (and taking photos)! ha.

Roger, I do have a zoom. Some people post a photo of their camera... I should do the same. I'm really enjoying it. :-)

Hi troutbirder, I'm imagining the same serene scene at your house. :-) I guess I've always called them "shepherd's hooks" ... don't know another name for them...

Joy said...

The birds are lucky to have your feeders in this weather. Love the finches.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Joy. I'm sure you're right. However, I think I'm lucky to have the birds at my feeders! lol

Tumblewords: said...

A delightful post! I enjoyed the photos and the narrative!

Rosemary said...

Shady the variety of birds you get is amazing. Greddy little beggars aren't they. We also went from almost green Okay brown grass to more snow again.

Rosemary said...

Meant greedy!

joey said...

Shady, you're BLESSED to be surrounded by so many birds. I'm smitten with your handsome Red-bellied Woodpecker :)

Shady Gardener said...

Tumblewords, thank you for visiting! I've enjoyed your posts,too. :-)

Hi Rosemary, I understand... ;-) I love the variety of birds we get. I'm sure it's because of the woods around us!

Joey, We ARE blessed! I took another photo of a Blue jay, today, that you will also like! Hopefully I can post it soon. :-)

Anonymous said...

That red belly is too funny. When they find something they like to eat, they find a way to hang on. You have a great variety of visitors, you must be doing something right.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Chad and Brandy! Something right is just putting out food and water. :-) I'll be over to visit, now.

Kylee Baumle said...

I love seeing all the birds! The photo of four different kinds all on one feeder is fabulous! Have you noticed your goldfinches brightening in color yet? Ours are! It's surely a sign of spring, isn't it? I know...it's early...but still!

Kathleen said...

I'm sure the birds were glad you came home so you could refill the feeders for them! Then they rewarded you with all those great pictures. What a nice variety of visitors you have. I wish it would rain here and get rid of all the snow! (even if it is winter) :-)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kylee, I'm thinking they've looked a little brighter all Winter... don't know why, unless it's the contrast with the white snow. But I know what you mean. :-)

Kathleen, Aren't the birds delightful?? I'm hearing you... but I want to wait until the proper time. I'm such a person... ha. But I need to do some quilting on a grandson's quilt. If it were nice outside, I wouldn't be able to stay indoors! ha. :-)

Jan said...

I love your bird photos...you enjoy them as much as I do, and we both have the same Droll Yankee feeder. It is great, isn't it?! The purple finch is so pretty...I don't get them here. What is really strange so far this year is that I haven't seen a SINGLE bluejay...every other kind but no jays. I haven't even thought about that until now, when I saw yours here on the last photo. The GBBC is coming right up...maybe I'll see some for that!