Happy New Year...Birding on the Farm

New Year's day was bitter cold but the light was so favorable I could not resist going to the brush pile to photograph my feathered friends. In the winter I put out black oiled sunflower seeds and chopped corn and they seem to be waiting for me in the morning when I arrive with the days ration. The total number of birds seen on the farm yesterday was 30...a little over one per acre!!

Here are some of the shots from my freezing outing yesterday:

There are always dozens of Cardinals and this year there is a leucistic female that takes my breath away...she is so gorgeous and I have yet to capture what I really see.

another of the beauty,

showing her other side.

This female Cardinal needs to spend a day at charm school! LOL!

and so does this male!

We have lots of White-throated Sparrows.

and immature or female White-crowned Sparrows.

The adult male White-crowned Sparrows look like they are wearing formal wear.

The Harris's Sparrow is a real winter treat!

So is the Song Sparrow...

Now I know where all my birds are!!

Great variety you have there and nice clear shots!

I haven't seen anything but seagulls in weeks.

and the Fox Sparrow!

Thanks 3G...I would love to see a few Seagulls but doubt that will happen on the farm!!

I was finally able to get a shot of a Junco this year..I love this sweet little bird.

The Dove's love the corn and I love seeing them eat it!!

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a real beauty ain't he?!!

The Blue Jays love the brush pile!

After my fingers finally froze I headed for the house and of course the raptors seemed to appear and yell "stay outside and play with us"!!

Sorry for the crummy quality but the following shots were long distance and I was frozen!!

I saw two Red-tailed Hawks and here is one of them.

Saw two Northern Harriers...here is the male.

And here is a female Harrier.

There was also a pair of Bald Eagles and here is a juvenile...really bad shot but it was part of the day!!

And the final shot of the day was of a Red Fox...I'm gonna get a good shot one of these days!! (It was a thrill to see him)!

How lucky!! Not a bad shot either ^_^

Thanks 3G...I wish I had had time to get the tripod set up! I will be watching for him though...he lives in the brush pile next door with his mate.

Beautiful photo's Dellrose!! So many different birds too. Love them all but really like the Fox Sparrow, and Harris's.

All so very nice Rose. I love seeing the leucistic cardinal. So many of the pictures are great shots, but I too think the shot of the fox sparrow is especially nice.
Thanks for freezing for us.
Dave

Gorgeous shots, Rose. Beautifully composed and as sharp as a razor, with great feather detail.

Beautiful shots Rose! You have a great variety there. Thanks for spending the time out there in freezing temps to get the shots!

You are so fortunate to live on such a large property, Rose. Peace and quiet and lots' of birds and animals. Enjoyed all your pictures.

Great shots, dellrose...I have many of the same birds as you except for the hawks. I have white-throateds and Song sparrows mostly. I did have a Harris's show up earlier last month but it didn't stick around long. Yes, your leucistic female Cardinal is so sweet...a dappled darling!
Freezing temps may slow us down but they won't stop us from birding!

Rose, they're all just gorgeous photos. Your first little lady is just beautiful with the white. She looks so prim and proper. The male cardinal is equally beautiful and I loved that open mouth. What a great day to be in that spot. Not many people get to see all the birds and raptors like you did and to top all these beautiful birds off with that spectacular fox is just amazing.

I really enjoyed all your photos and hope you'll return to this spot soon.

Well done, Rose, love to Harriers. I would have suffered the frozen fingers too, to get pictures of the fox, and Eagles, and Hawks etc... Very nice pics!!!

Thank you all for looking and for your most kind comments. We woke up this morning to a snow storm and it has continued all day...very cold and dreary but the birds have been very active. The Fox Sparrow and the leucistic Cardinal were at the yard feeders so that was a special treat.

This is a window shot I took today showing our wooded area...mostly Juniper trees. I usually see and hear a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers there and it is also the path that the Red Fox takes to our farm pond. The pond is located to the left of the wooded area and when the weather permits provides many hours of entertainment.

Here is "Lucy" in the backyard platform feeder. I was so happy to see her...thought I would cry!!

The Fox Sparrow was making himself at home in the back yard!

Great pics everyone!
We have a leucistic Junco we endearingly call "Gramps" for obvious reasons...as he's turning gray/old. For all we know, he could be just a year or two old. What makes him special for us is that because of his "special" markings, it will be interesting to see if he returns each year and for how many years...a way to ID a bird without banding :)
Here's "Gramps" (right) with a pal on the left...

and "Gramps" feeding...

Gramps is a sweetie and I hope he returns for many years. You are right Susan...it will be a nice way to see if different birds return and for how long.

I also have had a leucistic Common Grackle in the yard for a few weeks. I usually see him several times a day cleaning up under one of the feeders.

Great day of birding on the farm Rose! Thanks for sharing. All the raptors are fabulous....and a fox, well that is icing on the cake!

Very cool capture of a special Grackle Dellrose!!!! You'll have to keep us updated on how many years he is at your place too :)

Wonderful to see your bird sanctuary, Rose.