Daily Pics Vol. 183

I didn't want to get busy and be late so I am going to go ahead and get this started. We came from here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/953332/ if you should like to go back.

It is in the teens here this morning with below zero windchills and just a bit of fresh snow covering. The perfect weather to bring something other than the usual visitors. Not great pics...but I spotted this male Purple Finch at the feeder just a few minutes ago!!! I have had a female a couple times this winter but hadn't seen a male. Needless to say, I was tickled pink...or purple!! LOL



This message was edited Feb 19, 2009 9:15 AM

This was the only other "good" shot I got ...

Hadn't had any sparrows either for a few days...but this White-throated Sparrow showed up with the Dark-eyed Junco's this morning.

hi all, check this bird out in the link: a gynandromorph cardinal
http://minnesotabirdnerd.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-just-received-coolest-bird-photo-ive.html

Well, I learned something new today. Wonder how common an occurrence that is?

I was at a refuge this past weekend at stuble across this Juvenile Sharp Shinned Hawk. It looked like a big turtle from the road so I point the camera at it and new it wasn't a turtle. It was being sneaky just lying in the grass. As I moved around to get a better shot of the hawk, lo and behold it attacked a bird within about 5 feet from where I stood. It happened so fast that I was not able to get a shot of the attack or a shot just after the attack. This was my second time experiencing a hawk attack within 5-10' in less than 1 week. The other was while I was in Miami last week. I finally got my Hawk pictures.

The 1st two pictures captures the Hawk lying around in wait. Btw, I took a lot of shots to ensure I got some keepers.

2nd Hawk shot

3rd shot

4th shot

Last shot

Cool shots Met!

Here a couple shots of the Male Purple Finch.

2nd picture

Here's the Female House Finch

2nd shot

last Female House Finch

Thanks for the great pictures. Especially the hawk, with which I am less familiar. I am surprised at the small size of the bill. The purple finch are nice, too. Here in Louisiana we have not had as many as in the past this year.
Johanna

I think maybe the birds are moving north a lot earlier this year. Or maybe they did not come as far south. My goldfinch blitz only lasted a few weeks. Now I only see one or two at a time. Last winter they were here in large numbers till sometime in March. I only saw one purple finch this year as compared to hundreds last winter. I have only seen a few Juncos. None lately. We had temps in the high 70s last week. Freezing again tonight. I'll see if that brings any back down. I do still have a lot of Chipping Sparrows.

Beautiful pics Methodical. Those hawk shots are amazing. I had no idea that they could attack from the ground like that.

Evie, cool cardinal info. He/she looks like something from batman -- two face? is that what he was called?

I have cardinal shots to share too. The lighting was bad, but I think they are kind of fun anyway. The first one is the male and female with two White-winged doves in the crepe myrtle waiting for me to go inside and leave them alone.

Sadly, the sun was behind him and not me and I was looking through a very dirty window, but I still like it.

This one makes me laugh.

Finally, the Mrs. gets her turn.

Thanks for the new thread Nanny.
Meth, beautiful shots of the Hawk, and male finch.
Elphaba, I love your Cardinals, the male is so vibrant.

Another shot of the white headed Common Redpoll. He was alone to the feeder.

The Cooper's Hawk yesterday.

An upside down black-capped Chickadee .

burn that hawk flying thru/behind the tree was really cool!

Thanks Nanny, that was a lucky shot, he just decided to take off, when I press the clicker. ;)

Hey Nanny, I forgot to congratulate you on the purple finch! I have yet to see one. That was an excellent way to start a new thread.

Burn, love that redpoll shot especially. I'd love to see one of those one day too.

so many cool pictures already. anyone else getting antsy? it is above freezing and I think I'm ready for spring :o

here's a downy woodpecker at the suet feeder. at the bottom of the feeder was some beef suet that got eaten, and a peanut butter suet cake is on top.

he apparently prefers the beef suet.

I had been going thru pics trying to pick a photo to use. I had nothing really new that hadn't already been posted. BINGO.... there was that Purple Finch just in time!!

Love it when that happens!

Nice downy Evie.

This Blue-gray Gnatcatcher just about drove me insane. He would pose beautifully on the end of a bare branch in the sun and then just before my camera finished focusing, he'd fly off. I can hear him out there right now and I'm willing myself not to go out there!

Here he is trying to dive out of my photo!

Tummy shot.

great shots today all

haha Elphy!. Little stinker! Very cute!

Male Cardinal.

A couple of Cowbirds.

Turkey Vulture.

Colorful Grackle.