DAILY PICS VOL.166

Methodical-how do you keep the squirrels away from your peanut butter log?

If in doubt, take the pic. I was driving through a heavily wooded area today when a bird flew into a Madrone tree near the road. The light was so poor I couldn't tell what type of bird it was, so I took a pic. I was happily surprised when I got home and put it on the computer and found out that it was a Varied Thrush. (a new bird for my list) Now that I have it's address, I'll go back and try to get a better picture of it.

That's great adel! Their beautiful birds.

Hi all! I haven't had any decent pics for ages, it's permanently terribly dull and cold here. I check in once in a while, but have been very busy with IDs on bugs etc. Nice to see you all keeping the ship afloat.

adelbert, very nice find, so nice in fact I tried some light alterations to make it better for you. I have downloaded the free Vista Live Photo Gallery, and with that you get better options. I even disabled my copyright for you so you can copy the pic! :) Now hoping it comes out OK, lol.

Wallaby...........thanks for the work.I'll see if I can download Vista Live.

This message was edited Dec 30, 2008 5:05 PM

Wow..congrats adel on the new bird!!

Congratulation Adel, it pays to take picture huh?
Knip that's a nice picture of the Wigeon!!!
Margaret, they were ready in line for you, what a nice bunch.
Nanny, what do you suppose, the Goldfinch has to complain about ,to that Titmouse?
The Meadow Lark is a pretty bird Rose. Would love to see one someday.
Meth,Looks like your little Titmouse is peeling the bark of the log, in your last pic.
Had the Evening Grosbeaks and the Pine Grosbeaks together, today in the yard.

All Evening Grosbeaks.

The Common Redpoll.

Another of the Pine Grosbeak.

Looking mighty pretty at your feeders with all those birds burn!!

Thank you Nanny,............ why aren't you in bed young lady? A good one to talk aren't I? lol

Burn I could look at those Grosbeaks and Redpolls all day long! They are so beautiful and I wish we could entice some to our area (probably not very likely)!

Met...I use branches and twigs and stick them close to or on the feeders. The birds will often land on them to check out the feeders and hopefully allow a few photo ops! I learned that trick on this forum. If you put a perch close to your feeder log I'm sure you will get lots of action on it. Just be sure and put it someplace where you can get the best pics. We have 29 acres of mostly pasture but have lots of trees in the fence rows and also a small wooded area with mostly Juniper trees. We also have several brush piles around the farm and they attract lots of birds. I always dress in camo when I head for the fields to photograph and wrap myself and tripod in camo cloth. DH is always telling the neighbors he never "sees" me anymore! LOL!

We also have a dead tree in the back yard and sometimes I just sit outside or shoot through the window depending on the weather. I need a longer lens to shoot the dead tree but that ain't gonna happen so I just do the best I can. Here is a trio of European Starlings on the dead tree.

Adel...congrats on the new bird...very exciting!

Knip...gorgeous Wigeons!

Here is another Eastern Meadowlark..it was in the dead tree. They have the most beautiful song and are very loud! They spend most of their time on the ground in the fields and when we are out walking several of them will fly up and scare us...they are hard to see!

Burn the Redpoll is looking like he's saying to himself "man I wonder who can afford to live in this ritzy house"

Dellrose, those starlings remind me of the 3 stooges

Burn, You get the best winter birds!

Love the Eastern Meadowlark Rose!

Burn that is indeed a colorful lineup of birdies. Still hoping for a redpoll here.

ahhh (((hearts))) those meadowlarks.

Those meadowlarks are beautiful!

I have to join in...that lark is BEE-U-TEE-FUL!!!!

I was on so late last night beacause...GD's are here sooo a we went ot the movies yesterday, gone all afternoon. AND I can't get on untill after they go to bed!! They don't have a computer at home so they play on it here big time. Webkinz and stuff.

As an example on how much I have learned last year...The American Sparrow. When I would see them on my walks, I just thought they were Chipping Sparrows. Not knowing that the Chipping Sparrows were long gone!

BUT, when they showed up in my yard I knew they were something different and got them ID'd here.

NOW, I know my area is FULL of American Tree Sparrows!! lol

From the 29th...

I love the little White-breasted Nuthatches. I had sooo hoped to have the Red-breasted again this year but no sign of them. :(

Our Downy Woodpecker seems to have exploded this year..and that is a good thing!!

Some Canada Geese on the pond down the street

3 shots of a White-throated Sparrow in the brush.

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Nice crew you have there Nanny. Do the girls walk with you?

Here is the white breasted nuthatch, who seems to be the only taker on the peanut wreath. The Blue Jays have been AWOL for quite some time.

I've got a ton of birds that look like a finch (and are eating the niger seed). None have red/purple on them, but they have the streaks and notched tail.

Could it be that I only have females, even with about 20 birds? It seems odd that I wouldn't see any males.

Evie, check closely to see if they have a red cap. Maybe they are common redpolls! yah, I know, I'm redpoll obsessed.

No, no caps. I think I just found it: pine siskin. It explains why some have a touch of yellow in the wings. I'll check my pictures later, hopefully I have a couple decent shots.

ah, yes, those cuties are fun. very pointy beaks too.

I had a nice surprise this morning, a male purple finch. I haven't seen any of these for a while.

And then there were NONE…

…well, for a while at least. All because the Cooper's Hawk decided to visit. Terrible photo, but it was quite early. I let it sit there for about 1/2 an hour, then let the dogs out. It flew off then.

eek, just had another one zoom through the yard!

Cool hawk Mrs Ed. I had one zoom thru today too but it didn't stop. The girls will walk with me if it is not too cold. They said too cold this morning! lol

Its cool that you're able to see the hawks flying by.

And exciting about the purple finches! I'm not sure I ever see any...I get real excited about a house finch, let along a purple finch!

I know. I saw my first in this yard in the spring. they came back in November. It's always fun to see something new-ish.

or rare-ish

or purple-ish!! lol

Are you making fun-ish of me?

haaaaaa

Tomorrow I'm going to see Eagles on the Mississippi. Eat your heart out Nanny!

You guys are cracking me up! I saw an adult Bald Eagle this morning perched in the tree line...grrr..no camera with me! I will have to watch now as I can see the area from where I'm sitting.

Here is a female Northern Cardinal who looks like she has had too much bubbly!!