Another Peek Out of the Window

Started propping the kitchen window screen in hopes of seeing the Bunting clearly. A no-show today, though I did hear it out back so it is around. So I shot a couple of other views. Mourning Doves can look nice and pretty up close with the DSLR.



Better news, the Goldfinches are starting to appear in larger numbers after a quiet time through the cold Winter. They are even coming to this side of the house now.



The experiment under the feeders with the BirdCam did not net any results so it might be time to try the thistle socks next.

Back to the Seed Feeder

Switched back to the regular seed feeder to see if the Bunting would show up there again. Don't think it will. It is hanging out more in the back and then making a quick stop under the feeders before returning to the brush.

However, the doves are back. Of course.



At least there was a visit from one of the Cardinals.



Maybe I should set up under the feeder. Hmmmmm...

Peering Through the Window

With a nice turn in the weather I can finally prop the kitchen screen open to get a clear view of the feeders there and hopefully get a shot of any passing birds. Today I was able to get a shot of the Indigo Bunting feeding on the ground below the feeders.



More blue to follow!

Red-winged Blackbirds Return

I can tell when the Red-winged Blackbirds are breeding down the road. Not by sounds or by visiting but by when they return to my feeders.

I moved the Birdcam back to the kitchen side feeders to see if I could get another shot of the Indigo Bunting. Instead I heard the loud, some would say grating, call of a Red-winged Blackbird. I checked around and found one in the backyard and another over at the kitchen side.

Luckily, I got a couple shots on one through the BirdCam before the doves chased it away.



Interesting site: I watched from inside as one of the blackbirds actually fought back from the wing flicks of a dove by hissing at the dove. Good to see someone fighting back.

Molting Indigo Bunting

During a recent severe storm I noticed a very wet bird at the kitchen feeder. After several inquiries to friends, none of us could tell what the bird was even with photos. We could tell the bird was injured so I decided I would try to capture the bird to determine the species ID.

The next day I saw the injured bird and set a net up in the yard (I band birds at a local spot so I have the equipment and license) and after only an hour I did catch the bird in question. Turned out the be an American Goldfinch in pretty bad shape but it was flying fine so I released it.

At the same time, I also managed to capture our Indigo Bunting just 2 feet down in the net!



As you can see, he is undergoing big-time molting right now into his bright blue, Spring plumage. I released him back into the bushes and can't wait to watch him as he changes before heading back North. Stay tuned!

Tufted Titmouse

There we go. Much better. An actual bird at the frog bird bath. One of our Tufted Titmice!



Love these little birds. I can't wait for their calls from outside as I work so I can race to the door and watch.



Hope for some other birds to show up!

Squirrels Love the Frog Bird Bath

O.K. Over to the other bird bath. Wonder what we will find.

Many birds visit this spot. Jays and Titmice grab peanuts and Goldfinches visit to grab a drink. Surely I have a chance to get some good shots of birds here. And, what is this? A new bird? Nope. Our Gray Squirrels also love to try and prize peanuts and often stop to grab a drink soon afterwards.



Over...



...and over, and over.



Not giving up on this spot yet.

BirdCam at the Bath

I had been noticing that every now and then I see a few birds at the back bird back. Sometimes something unexpected. So, I figured I might as well try to see what we could see using the BirdCam. I didn't get the Goldfinches or Bunting as I had hoped but I do like these two shots.

Mourning Doves generally come down to drink here and then bathe (and then drink again-yuck?) individually, but I have never seen this kind of cozy scene. Cute.



I did get one of the birds I was hoping for. Our lurking Gray Catbird ventures out rarely to drink and bathe before diving back into the bushes. And, yes, I cleaned the bowl right after this. Danged algae...



Since a couple of days trying here didn't get me too much in the way of images I like, perhaps I will move on to the other bird bath on the deck.

Northern Cardinals on Webcam

As the Mourning Doves tend to hog the feeders from time to time it is a real joy to get some new images of other birds that aren't just their backs or of them flying off as the doves approach. Here are a few of my favorite Northern Cardinals images. At least I finally got the focal length thing down!

I LOVE this shot of our female Cardinal looking up to make sure the coast is clear. You can tell the dove have been squatting there all week since the feeder is nearly empty.



Later that day, her mate joined her for a snack. It should be time to be building a nest right now and I hope it is nearby again as in the past.



Years ago, a pair of Cardinals built a nest right outside our kitchen window and I got a lot of good shots of the chicks right before they fledged. Those images are still on my original site here.

Meanwhile, back at the webcam, another appearance by the female.



Can't wait for new images as I move the cam from site to site starting tomorrow.

Indigo Bunting. Finally!

Got it!

After observing and moving the BirdCam from feeder to feeder I finally got a shot I have been waiting for.



The little guy is out back everyday but hard to find as he flits from bush to bush. I do hear him when I am filling feeders. He is lurking with a House Wren (never common in the yard) and our yearly Catbird.

Now to move the cam to the blue plate we use as a 2nd bird bath...