Daily Photo Volume 306

Alright everyone. I am a little late but here we go.

We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1085899/

I will start out with a few photos of the Red-headed WP



This message was edited Apr 8, 2010 10:35 PM

another shot of the WP

last photo of the Red-headed WP

Now for one of my favorite....the Black-capped Chicadee

Here's the Downy WP (female)

The Red-bellied WP (female)

And rounding it out are my buddies the Cardinals

2nd Cardinal shot

Last but not least "The Lady" Female Cardinal

Met...beautiful start for the new thread. The Red-head is so beautiful...but I like your chickadee too!


I am SO EXCITED today.....as a couple of people here know DH and I just love the Brown Thrashers and we anxiously await them every spring. THey seemed to be showing up every where but here. I usually see the first ones here in March.

Finally...today I have a Brown Thrasher!!

Oh, wait a minute....It's a PAIR of Brown Thrashers! WOOHOO!!!!

Nice shots and lucky you. I love their whistle and song

Nice start Methodical............the Brewer's Blackbird from yesterday returned with some friends.............there were 7 more that don't show in the pic.

Nice start to the new thread, Met. Obviously, the Red-headed Woodpecker is a great catch. Someday, I may be fortunate enough to photograph one. Nice poses on your other shots, also.

nanny, I like your Brown Thrasher(s).

Adel, nice shot of the Brewer's Blackbirds.

Since you started the thread with 3 species of woodpeckers, I'll add the Pileated Woodpecker. I hear them all day long but only see them on occasion. The female was pecking on my neighbor's patio doors. I tried to sneak closer since there was a fence and incline between us. She saw me before I could get a shot off. Nonetheless, I was able to get a few shots of them on nearby trees. Here is the male.

And, here is the female .......

Congrats Nanny on your pair of Thrashers. Methodical, all I can say is that you have one helluva camera. Here are a pair of House Finches. They are always together and love to sip Hummer nectar. Today I saw the Indigo Bunting hanging with them, maybe I'll get that pic tomorrow.

That last thread (#305) got by me. I looked at all the great pics and saw several birders doing the "Oriole feeder thing"

Well, today, I bought me an orange colored Oriole feeder (it looks a lot like a Hummer feeder, except it's also got 4 pockets for jelly)

I also bought some of that orange colored concentrate that you just add water to. Later, if I get any Oriole visiting, I'll just use my Hummer solution in it.

I have 3 questions:
1- should I put orange food coloring in the Oriole sugar solution? - I don't color my hummer solution.
2- is one kind of jelly more appealing to an Oriole than another? - I'd planned to use plain ole' grape jelly.
3- can I hang it on the porch near my hummer feeder? - or are Orioles shy.

Hack

This message was edited Apr 9, 2010 1:01 AM

Now, before this thread swells, I want to comment.

Methodical - nice start to the new thread. I really like the Red-headed Wp shots, but the first one is my favorite. That Canon EOS-1D Mark III is doing the job!

nanny_56 - I'm glad the Brown Thrashers finally showed up for you. Nice pics, too.

adelbertcat - I'd say you have more than your fair share of Brewer's Blackbirds. Sweet

linthicum - what handsome birds, those Pileated Woodpeckers.

gazergirl - I don't think I aver seen a sipping my Hummer nectar. I sure hope got a pic of the Indigo Bunting.

Hack

This message was edited Apr 9, 2010 12:33 AM

I snapped a few shots today

Here's a passel of Brown-headed Cowbirds feeding on seeds that spilled from a feeder above.

Hack

One of the female Cowbirds flew up to the bird bath.

Hack

Then she spun around and hopped in.

hack

Here's two male Cowbirds at the bird bath, but they only drank.

Hack

I thought these were gone. I was surprised to capture this Red-winged Blackbird.

Hack

My last one is of a female red-bellied Woodpecker eating suet.

Hack

I love RH WP's. Haven't seen one for awhile. They should be back by the time I get home. Don't have any around my house, but a park in Bethany, OK is full of them. I've seen lots of Golden-fronted WP's down here in TX.

Got a couple more lifers yesterday-- Olive-sided Sparrow and a Scarlet Tanager. I've seen Summer Tanagers several times daily. Here is a pic of one.

This fellow visited me while I was out on the veranda overlooking the Frio having a cup of coffee. A Yellow-throated Warbler.

Another Vermilion Flycatcher. Have seen lots of these.

A Black-crested Titmouse performing house cleaning duties. She has a nest in that cavity in the Live Oak. Heading north today. Taking the back roads through the Hill Country to Fredericksburg, then over to Austin and the interstate up to McKinney. Maybe a German food lunch in F-burg. We are in no hurry as I'd just as soon it be early evening when I traverse I35E through downtown Dallas. Did that rush hour thing on the way down and it's no longer my cup of tea.

I'm going to hit the spot on the river where I've seen the little Green Kingfisher one more time. Maybe I can get a decent pic. Cute little bird-- makes a clicking sound when he flies.

Methodical: Thanks for the new thread! Stunning shots of the Red-headed WP, especially love that first picture! Amazingly beautiful bird which I've never seen in person. I love all the WP's, it's fun to watch them flying by and landing on the side of a tree or a feeder. I've been getting pairs of Red-bellied's and Downy's ... the RB's seem to be enjoying the raisins I put in the feeders. Look at that cute little Chickadee ... adorable and Cardinal's are one of my all time favorites, great shots!

nanny: Congrats on your Brown Thrasher couple! I only saw one or two during the winter but now they are around more often. I saw a pair together in my yard yesterday too.

adelbertcat: That is a big flock of those Brewer's. Are they feeding there on the ground?

linthicum: Great shots of the Pileated WP's. I rarely see them and wish they'd come around more often. I love their loud call too!

gazergirl: That's a cute pic of the house finches, I didn't know they would drink the HB's nectar.

Hack: Great pic's of the Brown-headed Cowbirds! We had passels of them all winter but they are gone now. I only saw a female on a couple of occasions, it was mostly males that hung around here. Really cute shot of the female diving into the bath! Most of the Red-winged Blackbirds are gone from this area now too but there have been a couple of males still hanging around and filling up at the feeders every day. I could listen to their song/call all day!

reddirttree: That Summer Tanager is beautiful as is that Vermillion Flycatcher! Nice shot of the Warbler too. I had a few of those visit over the winter months and it sure was fun to see them. Love the shot of the little Titmouse doing her spring cleaning! Sounds like you've been away on vacation ... have a safe journey home.

Red, hope you've a nice trip back North. Making stops many times just to catch a wonderful finds of birds and much deserved rest. Be safe. Love those shade of red on the Tanagers and Vermilion Flycatcher. Thank you for sharing those wonderful pics. with us all. Oh also wishing you luck finding a Green Kingfisher and please share pic. once you do.

gg. that's really a fun shot of the Housefinche pair! Seems as if they were getting a sugar high. lol.

Hacks, many a nice pics. as usual. I wished I knew the answers to some of your questions on the Orioles. I had a female overwinter here and has frequented my backyard grains feeder. Then on Easter Sunday, she didn't show up, gone was she the next 3-4 days. Then yesterday I saw one with a dark facial feather - Baltimore Oriole-like bird. Hmmm, she's changed? lol, I'm awaiting for I.D. of the mystery bird on the ID forum.

Linth. I'm dreaming of finding a Pileated WP one of these days. Not sure if they venture far South?

Adel, nice pic. of the Brewer's Black Birds.

Nan, I'm happy for you on your Brown Thrashers return. I love watching their activity. I think I saw one pecking away on a chipmonk one day. Poor 'chip' didn't know what was coming but felt the impact of the 'whackings'. lol

Meth. Wow what a great start on the new thread, thank you. Ah hah! Canon EOS-ID Mark III heh? (one can dream, why can't I? LOL).

p.s. Hack, living near a large waterbody area. I never thought my birds would appreciate a bird bath. Until I saw everyone with one and those that visit Adel's creek (Frank's creek) I've longed for one. Yesterday while shoping for plants I found a cute bird bath for our little friends.

Love that Red-headed woodpecker start!
Congrats on the thrashers, Nanny! Great picture, by the way.

Hack, no, you don't have to put orange water out for them. regular sugar water is fine. Various kinds of jelly will work, by at my mom's house, they go gaga over the grape. That's good because you can find LARGE jars of that in places like the generic aisle, bread outlets, etc. Don't forget to put out the orange halves. I think you can put them next to the hummers as long as your hummers don't get too aggressive with them. At my mom's house they share the HB feeders anyway.

Here's a little chipping sparrow from yesterday. Cute as can be.

Cross-posted Lily. LOVE that birdbath. Bet you'll get the bluebirds in there too since they like shallow water.

Excellent pics Met! Each one is gorgeous but I love the Red-headed Woodpecker! Thanks for starting the new thread!

Nanny, I love the Brown Thrasher! Wonderful pics you posted!

Adel, Nice group of Blackbirds!

Linth, I adore those Pileated!

Gazer, cute pic!

Hack, Nice shots of the Cowbirds, Red-winged and Red-bellied!

Red, Love the Tanager, Yellow-throated Warbler, the beautiful Vermilion Flycatcher and sweet Green Kingfisher!! Great birds your seeing!

Lily, that bird bath is so nice!

Mrs Ed, Sweet little Chipping Sparrow!

Lovely little Chipping Sparrow Mrs_Ed! Most of mine have headed north with many other birds I guess. It's getting lonely around here with so many of the birds gone now. I guess I will just have to be satisfied with our regular year round Jays, Cardinals, Mockingbirds and Doves ... and look forward to the end of the year when so many others head back south to winter in Florida.

Nice pic Lin! Do you see a lot of fly overs by tropical birds?

Here is a photo of the Brown-headed Nuthatch in Cape May, NJ

http://cmboviewfromthecape.blogspot.com/

This message was edited Apr 9, 2010 9:16 AM

This message was edited Apr 9, 2010 9:16 AM

Thanks Pelle! I'm not sure what you mean by tropical birds.We have a few types of Heron's, Egrets, Gulls, Terns and also Ibis, Cormorant and Anhinga here year round. The Brown Pelican is a year round resident also. There are some sort of Parakeets that I see in my friend's neighborhood about a mile away. Last summer we had dinner at a restaurant on the water and were walking along the dock after dinner and saw a Flamingo, but that was a once in a lifetime for this part of Florida. We weren't sure why it was this far north. Occasionally we see a Roseate Spoonbill too but that is rare.

We have lots and lots of Laughing Gull's, large flocks fly overhead every evening on their way from the landfill back to the beach. They must take a different route to the landfill in the morning because we only hear and see them in the late afternoon heading back to the shore. My cat loves to lay out on the pool deck looking up at them. I've never gotten any really clear pic's and can never seem to get many in a shot at once.

WOW...

Thanks all!

LInth...great Pileated photos!

Hack.....funny cowbird in the bath!!

Red...bird eny here!! I have only ever seen a immature Summer Tanager...waiting for a mature. The Scarlet Tanager is on my must see list...we do have them here in the summer. One was seen just down my road abit a couple years back.

Another shot of one of the Brown Thrashers....

Thanks Mrs_Ed. and Pelle, I thought my 'snow bird' Baltimore Oriole has left for up North. After a four days missing, she returned with a "beard" or dark-facial hair. lol. All kidding aside, is this the same bird? Could someone here help me out? lol.

Pelle, I learned that Brownheaded Nuthatches are found mostly in Eastern U.S. It was Hack that posted the very first that I came to recognize them in my backyard. It's nice to find them up your way. Look at the brown marking on its head. That prompted me to name my couples "Chickpeas" lol. I also read that they're one of the few birds that learned how use tools. They will use twigs to poke on tree's bark for insects.

editted for typos.

This message was edited Apr 9, 2010 9:09 AM

Nice pics Nanny and Lily. Good info about the bird Lil.

Lily: I sure hope someone can ID your lovely bird. I'm real curious too. I don't see Oriole's down this way ... my bird book says they pass through in April to mid May. I'd love to spot one of those gorgeous birds! My bird book says the Brown-headed Nuthatch is a resident too but I've never seen one.

This female Red-bellied visited the feeder earlier just before I put out fresh suet and fruit. Now there's a Hawk circling and it's starting to rain so all the little birds went into hiding.