Daily Bird Pics - Vol. 361

Another shot of the lake, I dare anyone to try to walk on it yet, any takers?

That little wren must have known you were wishing for it!!

We haven't really noticed a size difference between the sexes with the pileated's but some are definitely bigger than others.

Keep hoping I will get time to looking for sparrows...like your Song Sparrow, Hack!

Teddy, tell DH nice jay shot!

Here is a couple of Cardinals for you!

Burrrr, Teddy. Nan, that's quite a handsome pair!

I think we had only 1 snowmobile go in our lake last year!

I enjoy seeing the beauty of birds in snow. I'm glad I'm doing it via the net rather than in person, though.

I saw 3 Golden-eyes on a local lake a few days ago, but couldn't get a close look. I thought one might be a Barrow's, which is unusual here and would be a new bird for me. Went back and got a little better look. The bird appears to be a hybrid. Has a definite maroon sheen to its head. The white spot on its face is not crescent-shaped like a Barrow's, but obviously larger than the spots on the other two Golden-eyes. Maybe it will get close enough for a pick, but they seem to say far off shore and spend about as much time under water as on the surface.

Another winter visitor to my neck of the woods-- a Bufflehead.

Lovely shots, everyone. Nanny, I had no idea the Pileated was so big (or is the the Downy that is so small)?

Swan at the Swan River a couple of days ago.

Black Swan numbers on the Swan River have been very poor for decades. They are now being seen in greater numbers, a heartening sign. There was a group of 18 yesterday. alas, no cygnets.

It is very rare for me to see any swans, black or white. But no matter what color they are they are beautiful. Just put seed out and the sparrows must be getting used to me, they did not go far away this time. I guess they figured out who was putting the food out for them. I put the mixed seed in the feeder and cut down on the amount of Sunflower Seed for the squirrels. Not even the first day of winter yet and it is below 20 degrees. And the weather report says this weekend is going to have wind chill values below zero. Brrrrr! But your picture of the black swan is greatMargaretK. Merry Christmas everyone.

Love everyones shots!

Teddy, You bring up a good point up about the birds getting used to you. My Chickadees never fly away when I go out to the feeders. I can get within a few feet of them. It takes me going out there on a regular basis for the others to get comfortable.

Margaret, Love the Black Swans!

I was checking for a family on Trumpeter Swans when I saw the Goldeneyes and Bufflehead. 8 Trumpeters spent last winter on a local lake, but weren't there when I checked. They arrived on Jan. 1 this year, so maybe they will still show up. Received a report that 8 Trumpeters and 1 Tundra are on a lake near Bartlesville, OK where they wintered last year. It's a new thing them showing up here and important to their survival since migration is a learned behavior, not instinctual, with swans. Lots of watersheds in OK that are prime wintering spots for swans.

A pic I took of them in Jan when they were here.

I got behind again-such pretty birds you've all posted. Hope it warms up for all of you in that freezing weather.

Red, I love your Bufflehead photo. I found my first one on our lake a couple days ago.

The Great Egrets are sure everywhere we go here.

This one was standing on top of a fence as I was leaving a park.

Not a very good photo, but they're a Common Merganser, American Coot and a Pied-billed Grebe.

Love seeing all the waterbirds...beautiful swans Margaret and I love your duck red. Nice ones duc!

We were in the single digits again this morning. High is supposed to be around 30. They are predicting more snow for Sunday. How much depends on the track of the storm have heard anywhere from 2 inches up to 10!

More Cardinal shots...

Can always count on them when it is cold!

and the House Finch!

I really like that shot of the merganser, coot and grebe together. And the red birds are beautiful against the snow.

There is a Mute Swan that lives on Lake Hefner in OKC. It can always be found on the west side of the lake near the canal entrance. A pic of it with some Ring-billed Gulls.

Nanny, yikes, it's cold there but you photos are beautiful. Stay safe and warm.

Red, wonderful photo of the swan and gulls. I've heard we have two mute swans on our lake that were purchased and moved to this area by private owners ages ago, but I've never seen them. They sure are pretty.

Thanks for starting the new thread Red...those Mallards are a great shot to start it with.

Burn...you have some nice shots and that Dove in the snow looks like a nice Christmas card shot.

Nanny...how awesome that you got a shot of the Downy and Pileated together...really shows off the size of the big "Pilator"!! Your snow pics are just lovely.

Tedd...nice shot of the Blue Jay and a nice edit by Hack.

Hack...goodness you sure have a variety of birds...nice shots too!!

Lily..Nice shot of the GBH and as always the setting is to die for!

Margaret, Red and Duc...I just love all your waterbirds, such gorgeous shots!

Mrs. Ed...congrats on the Carolina showing up again!

We have had a Bewicks Wren for several weeks now so maybe will stay the winter. Here is a window shot from this morning.

This Red-bellied Woodpecker always makes me smile.

Not a great shot but now I know what the Myrtle Warblers are eating (berries from the Juniper tree).

I think I mentioned that the male Downy has returned after being absent for weeks.

We have lots of Finches!

A few weeks ago I got this crummy shot of a first...Rough-legged Hawk!

Great shots Rose!! I love seeing all those Purple and American Goldfinch! Your Red-bellied is adorable and I'm glad the Bewicks Wren and Myrtle Warble is still hanging around.

That's so good to see the Rough-legged Hawk.

Last one...the Bluebirds have found the caged mealworms. I haven't fed them since early summer but DH insisted that I feed them this winter. He is more excited than I am..if that's possible!

Yay! We'll be seeing more of your Bluebirds Rose!

Thanks Pelle! So far only one male and 2 females have shown up but I am sure there will be more. I've also moved my computer back to the TV room where I can see what is going on outside. It is a double edged sword...see all the birds but having to listen to C-Span all day!! LOL!!

Did I mention that we have Goldfinches? LOL!

Rose, love the photos of your birds, especially that Red-bellied. Love that feeder of finches and congrats on the new hawk. Glad you're feeding the bbs too.

Got lucky with a Barn Owl out in full daylight today

Resin

And a [Eurasian] Woodcock, close to the coast taking refuge from the heavy snow cover inland

Resin

And lots of Pink-footed Geese, ditto.

Resin

Wow nice finds Resin!

Congrats on your hawk Rose!! All your shots are awesome!

Resin...very cool that you saw the Barn Owl!!

This is a really good thread, lots of diversity. Good to see you posting some finds, Resin. Rose, you may send me some of your purple finchies. Good for DH for having you feed the blues. He knows you'll love it.

Well this is not a lifer, but the first photos I have gotten of a yellow-bellied sapsucker. I've only seen them here a couple of times, so it was nice that he showed up.

Lovely shot of it too Mrs-Ed.
Oh now I see where my Purple finches went for the winter, Rose. They certainly chose a nice vacationing spot ;))
Nice to see a Woodcock again, Resin. If I ever see a Barn Owl, that would be a treat and a lifer.

The Hairy has a hard time to have a turn at the feeder.

and that's because of these guys.

So I tried to outsmart them by putting the suet in the cage, but..............................

Had this pretty little Goldfinch sitting on a branch,............ yep still snowing.