DAILY PICS VOL 168

Every time it's my turn to start a new thread I am reminded of the remarkable quality and variety of the photos we consistently see on these daily threads. It is a testament to your energy, your photographic skills and your love for our feathered friends. Well, let's do it again.

But first, here is a link back to Vol. 167, in case someone needs to go back there some day: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/938424/

I will start with two pictures. The one on the right was taken today. The one on the left was taken in May. It's the same bird. I know because I see him every day and he has a broken middle toe on his left foot.


This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 2:08 AM

Plenty cold these mornings and this is the only unfrozen watering hole in the neighborhood, so it draws a variety of visitors.

Here is a feisty little guy who is a regular.

And another. There must be at least 75 goldfinches in the yard these days.

And the song sparrow.

And the house finch

Here's a shot from a couple of days ago of a camera shy mockingbird.

And finally, a few shots of my bluebirds, all taken today.

I am trying to interest them in some concord grapes but they turn their noses up at them.

That is, if they are not turning up their other end at them.

And one last shot of my feisty friend.

Oh, this is the shot of the house finch I meant to post.

And this one taken yesterday that I posted on my bluebird thread, just in case someone missed it.

Beautiful start to the new thread Dave! As usual your pictures have such wonderful fine details.

Here is a shot of Bohemian Waxwings from a few days ago.

One more of Wednesdays Bohemian Waxwing pictures.

well guys i posted on the last thread but i don't know if anyone seen it because it was so late when i posted.....The tree that you are all wondering about is a chokecherry tree.....

Nice pics. Those Waxwing look cool. Dave is that a Blue Bird on the right side of the bird bath also? Nice Blue Bird shots

Here's a few shots of the Hermit Thrush. This bird is hard to get, well in my mind anyway, as it stays low in the woods and is fast. But I got lucky this day.


This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 4:30 AM

2nd shot

Last shot

Here's the Brown Creeper. With this little joker you have to take tons of shots to get a few good ones.

This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 4:29 AM

Here's a Mocking Bird I caught on my porch roof and although not in this picture, it was eye'g one of my peanut butter nut log.

Here's one of my favorite birds - Male Northern Cardinal. These birds won't let me get near them. He's way up in the tree and the lighting is not that great but overall still some decent shots.

This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 6:56 AM

2nd shot of the Cardinal.



This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 6:55 AM

Here's 2 more shots of the Cardinal with his left and right profile - Male model in the making.

2nd profile shot

How great to get a male Cardinal to "model" for you instead of hurry away. Great pics to start the thread with!

I love the detail and sharpness of the photos. Dave, what camera do you? How far away are you from your subjects? The clarity is unbelievable.

Good morning folks. I thought I was an early bird today. Guess not.

Dave - Is the feisty little guy a house wren? His white eyebrow makes him look every so mischievious. 75 goldfinches? Wow. Do you notice them eating anything besides nyjer? I'm trying to entice them with a songbird blend of a variety of tiny seeds.

Love your birds Methodical. I can see the family resemblence between the American robin and Hermit thrush.

Pink - I planted a choke cherry about a year ago - for the birds. I'll check yours out so I know what it will hopefully grow up to be!

Always love seeing your waxwings Gary. Gorgeous cardinals Juney.

Snow was too deep a couple days ago for the mourning dove to feed on the ground.

Love hearing the tufted titmice calling their friends, "Peter Peter."

Yes aren't the photos amazingly sharp (not mine with my point and shoot) Anita? I so enjoy their beautiful photos.

Have a great day everyone.

Beautiful Waxwings, Gary., both of them. Love the snow on the berries in your second shot.

Nice shots Meth. You're really doing good,my friend. And yes, the bird on the right at the birdbath is a female Eastern blue bird.

OP, the feisty one is a Carolina wren. Nice bird and he doesn't bother the others. Thankfully I don't have any house wrens (as yet)

Thank you, Anita
Most of my pictures are taken with the Canon 1D Mark III with a 200mm f/1.8 lens and most are shot within 10 feet of the bird. The birdbath was about 20 feet. The last shot was taken at point blank range, (about 6 feet), so at that distance, I was very lucky to stop his wings.

Dave

Hey Juneybug the Cardinal had no fear because he was way up in the tree. Normally I don't get a chance to get a shot off, except when they are up high.

Thanks Dave trying to catch up to you (smiles).

Oh well let me head over the window and watch the feeders to see what shows up this morning.

Take care

Al

This message was edited Jan 3, 2009 7:51 AM

OP, the goldfinch come for the nyjer, and this time of year I provide a lot (despite its skyrocketing cost), but they also eat the seeds on the crape myrtle (is that spelled right?) and even pick at the tiny ornimental pears on the Bradford pear tree, but do most of their pecking at the fruit that has fallen to the ground.

The thing that has them here is such numbers is probably the water. Everything is frozen and I am the only one around with a birdbath warmer.

Dave

Second cousin dave,
I had an idea. Your bluebird is beautiful. I never get any here. You could send your along and we can rehabilitate his toe and send him back when he has recovered!!
Robin

Sounds OK to me, Robin. But if you fixed his toe, I wouldn't be able to ID him. :-)

He's certainly a Virginia bird. Been here in my yard since we moved here in 2004.. And he's Papa to at least 50 since that time.

Dave

OK. Let me update things a little. Then I have to go out and refill the bird bath.
The light is poor so I don't know if you can see much detail in this shot, but there were as many as 10 starlings in there at the same time (I think I count 8 in this shot) and they splashed most of the water out..

The red-bellied showed up but found I am rationing the meal worms.

Still no takers on the frozen grapes. The Carolina wren looked, but that's all.

neat shot!

Thanks

Here's a closer shot of the female bluebird. It is very hard to get good shots until the sun gets higher.

Here's a little better one. Same bird.