Mockingbird, finally.

For 5 years our most common bird has eluded me. Very camera shy. Today, a calm one.

Another.

try putting some raisin out by your feeder. They love them. I don't find them shy around here in fact i have to chase them off when I put out meal worms for the BlueBird babies. They attack the mom and dad to try to take the worms from them

I find them real easy to get close to around here in Tn. too. But maybe the ones in Texas are a little more spookable. When the weather is good I tend to spend a lot of time outside gardening and maybe they just get used to me. It also may be that their "ownership" of all the good food sources in the yard is stronger than their fear of me lol.

Your photos are wonderful Trois. I love all the detail you can see in the feathers.

Last spring I spent a lot of time sitting on the ground close to the hawthorn tree that this mockingbird was real busy "owning", ie. chasing every other bird away from. After a few hours this bird actually seemed interested in what I was doing. As I was digging and working the soil, I would throw away from the garden any slug or grub I ran across. It didn't take long for this mockingbird to learn that me being outside was actually a good thing lol. Here are a few photos taken from that time. Don't you love the thorns in this tree?!!!



This message was edited Jan 8, 2007 7:11 PM

Here he/she is again.

'Course I've cared for oodles of mockingbirds and I love 'em. :) Had a few "imprints" along the way, too (not ones that I raised). This is *not* my photo... and I wish I could credit the artist... but I copied it from a nature photography website several years ago with no intention of ever posting it anywhere. But... Oh *my* this is a fantastic shot!!! I remember the photographer saying it was with a bunch that she was about to toss out. She didn't think they were any good!!!

All really nice photos everyone!! I find them shy too so I'll have to try the raisins. I've never seen them go after the mealies.

Oh yeah!! What a great shot!! I can't believe she didn't think it was any good. Do you happen to know what was going on in the photo magpied? Was the bird protecting a nest or something?

oh Magpied that is a great shot of it chasing away the snake. I think they are comical anyway without getting after something

Pell they attack my bluebird to get the worms from them and to keep them from bringing them to their babies

LOL! Here's a shot of one claiming all the mealies I had put out last summer for the b.birds. The b.birds and the cardinals really enjoyed sharing the mealies until Ghengis came along lol. Here is a b.bird and a cardinal having a great time sharing...

and here comes Ghenghis - "MINE MINE ALL MINE!!"

Thats ashame Donna! I haven't had BB's in my yard yet but have seen them close by.

Maybe in the spring I'll see someone besides the Carolina Wren eating the worms.

Nice pic Susan!

oops - forgot the picture of Ghengis lol.

Of course he had to stand on the throne, nice pic.

What is the small rock for ; just perching?

MOCKY...my favorite. trois, lilyfant, and magpied, thank you for sharing your photos of the mock. I never get bored when the neighborhood mockingbirds are around. They really earn their reputation for being fearless guards. I was reading a Thomas Jefferson quote in which the statesman was saying that he feels pity for anyone who dares threaten a mockingbird. So mockingbirds' habits are legendary. They're singing virtuosos too.

LOLOL @ Genghis.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2007 4:33 PM

Pell, the rock is to keep the plastic dish from blowing over if it gets windy. It does lend an air of "overlord" to the mocker lol.

Have you ever seen mockingbirds opening and closing their wings in jerky movements when they are stalking insects in the lawn? Its so interesting to see. I'm not real sure that that's what they are doing but I think I read that somewhere. I don't know if they are shading their prey or intimidating it or something totally unrelated maybe? The photo magpied posted kind of looks like the mocker is doing that.

The other funny thing about the mockers in my neighborhood is that they FAKE ME OUT EVERY YEAR when I am eagerly awaiting the first hummers of the season. The mockers can imitate them to a tee!

lily, Yep, "wing-flashing" it's called. Some say it's to flush insects. In my experience, they do it when they see something new or intriguing as well. Sorta testing... to see if it will move... and to see if it's a threat.

If I remember correctly, that photographer saw the *brave* mocker fly across the street to the snake. It's definitely doing some serious wing-flashing... lol. Not exactly wall flowers those mockin's. ;-)

Has anyone witnessed the little "dance" between two mockingbirds? Where they face off--and hop back and forth, and side to side, a few "steps" at a time? I am of the opinion that it's territorial because sometimes they end up mixing it up a bit... :o

I know, aren't they amazing with all the sounds they can imitate? I have seen that wing action your talking about; pretty neat!

I have watched them with the wing flashes and think some of the time it is like cupping an ear with your hand. It helps them locate a bug they haven't seen yet.

We have so many Mockingbird that every spring I will see several pairs tumbling on the ground. Definately territorial.

Hey, Trois...How many bird species have you captured with your camera now?

Here's a Mockingbird doing a little "wing-flashing" in my front yard .....

Thats a cute pic Linth!

A somewhat recent photo of the Northern Mockingbird. Personally, I find them to be a very accommodating photo subject in this area.

I enjoy watching mock skitter across the lawn and the wall and stopping every now and then to slowly spread their wings. If I was a bug, I'd be intimidated.

They also have this very interesting habit of sitting on a high perch and leaping in a loop while flapping their wings. I thought something was wrong with the mock who would leap and end up in the same position for hours on end. Then I read that it's part of mock's way of attracting prospective mates.

Nice photo of mock, lith.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2007 5:42 PM

This is very interesting!

One more .....

This photo was edited somewhat to take out some of the unsightly branches.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2007 8:57 PM

A Mockingbird shot from yesterday.

wow....that's a great shot of the mocks in action, linthicum. gardenpom, now that's a eye that sees everything. I like his/her whiskers.

This message was edited Jan 8, 2007 6:06 PM

Heres a front view. Great shots everyone!

That's a great picture too, pelletory. Mock is really an attractive bird.

One of my earliest bird shots, from a few years ago.

Gardenwife, only 5 so far. No northern birds yet. Did you get your remote yet for your camera?

This is a shot of a Mockingbird checking to be sure the Cottonmouth is really dead. The snake was on my porch, trying to get in the house.

Great mockingbird photos....my favorite of all birds. :) We have them year round here in SA....and they are always a treat to watch and listen.... :)

Melanie

wonderful pics everyone.

I have never had cardinal or Chickadees eat the mealies. I always put out a dish when I find a nest with babies. all the rest gladly accept them

Linthicum, you take great pictures!

I put out some peanut butter today, and all the birds are afraid of it.

Great photos everyone! I love the Mockingbirds! I was taking some photos of them the other day and this is one of them.

Another one

Oops! Meant to put a different one, not the same one. lol

"here's looking at you kid" lol