DAILY PICS VOL 208

Use an 'ant moat' on your hanger. Basically a cup of water that the ants can't crawl through. They have them in the estore of Whatbird.com for $5. You will probably have to go to a specialty store to find them. I haven't seen any at places like Walmart or Lowe's, and I've looked.

Rose, if you look on my picture of the Oriole way up about the 8th post on this thread, you can see one of the ant motes reddirtretiree is referring to below and to the right of the bird. I don't have a feeder hanging from it in that pic because I had been re-arranging, but you can see it's a little red cup with a hook at the top and bottom.

So that's great to keep the ants out, but what about the bees? I got stung Saturday and my forearm is still swollen and itches like crazy! I put the orange halves out, but I'm afraid to put out the jelly because I don't want a big concentration of bees around my feeder!

Thanks Elphaba and Pelle.
Duc,that Eurasian Eagles Owls is awesome., like the closeup of the Hawks as well.
Elphaba, I was looking up your Red-headed Woodpecker to see, if they come near here.
There is a possibility, I might be able to see one someday.
Luv, great shot of the Bluebird. I had my first sighting of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a few days ago too. You got a better shot of it then I did. Congrats on your new bird.

The Redpolls are being over run by Pine Siskens. I've never seen, so many in my yard before. I would only see about 10 -15, the previous years. I'm sure I had over a 100 or so today.
Also have a lot of White-throated Sparrow, and Juncos compare to the other years.
Here is a small # of Siskens.

American Goldfinch.

A Downy Woodpecker showed up today, it's been a while, since I had seen one.

The pest in my yard, is the Grackle.

I went out to Herdsmans Lake again this morning. Saw my second tiger snake in two days. Yesterday's was a baby, only about 12" long. The one this morning was probably about 4'. So preoccupied with birds that I nearly trod on it. Just as well I didn't as they are particularly venomous.

There was a Great Egret and some Yellow-billed Spoonbills in the marshy area close by. The Spoonbils were busy moving their bills side to side in the mud in search of gourmet delicacies whilst the Egret kept its eye on me.

One of the Spoonbills showing the underside of its bill

An Australian Hobby was enjoying a mid-morning meal of dragonfly when a Willie Wagtail chased the Hobby off. Unfortunately I didn't manage a shot of the very brief harassment.

Female Musk Duck. These birds are very camera shy and as soon as they see the lens pointed in their direction, dive and swim underwater for about 20 seconds, resurfacing a considerable distance away, as this girl did. They are ducks, but they look the closest thing you'd ever see to a platypus. The males have a large, fleshy lobe under their bills and put on an elaborate mating display.

She was having a wonderful time having a bath. The males in particular have large heads. They have short wings and I've never seen one fly.

Some great shots on this thread everyone! I love the hawks duc and Margaret that duck is awesome!

Wow,great shots everyone,ruby throated H.B. showed up yesterday,finally,saw an eastern bb too,I hope they start showing intrest in my houses,Iam hoping to see  the american woodcock again this yr.she had 3babies last yr,lucky enough to watch them feed all day.

Wow so many great pics!

Wow over 100 Pine Siskins burn! At least they don't mind you getting close. Nice Downy too.

Wonderful pics Margaret! I love the Hobby and that adorable Musk Duck. Do be careful out there!

Hugger, Congratulations on your new arrivals!

Burn, sorry about the P.Siskins, but they're cute too. I love that cage protector. It looks like it does a great job. Great photos, but that Grackle is still a favorite of mine.

Margaret, I'd have probably left if I saw a snake, but I love your pictures. We haven't seen an Egret here for several weeks now. I'm hoping they'll soon return. Your little duck is adorable!

Isn't this small owlett adorable. People from a rescue center were using it in a presentation. The poor thing still has down and I can't recall it's name. Unfortunately it can never be released because of wing damage.

We're finally seeing some more White Pelicans on our lake.

Ah that owlet is adorable! Hopefully he/she will have a good home now.

This thread is just full of great shots and how great to see what is going on in all the different areas! I am constantly in awe of all that is going on especially this time of the year and everyones contributions to the Bird Forum. This place has been the highlight of my day for many moons!!

In our area we heard the call of the Northern Bobwhite...it was awesome and a sound we have not heard for 10 or 15 years!! Also the Indigo Buntings and Blue Grosbeaks have finally arrived as well as the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. I am watching for the Red-headed Woodpecker after see the pics on this thread. So much going on...indeed Spring has sprung!!

Here is a pic of an American Robin from the front yard.

Dad finally found where mom was getting all the worms.

More American Goldfinch showing up.

AG

New visitors to the yard today (new for the year).

Rose-breasted grosbeak is a few days early than last year.

Brown thrasher. I had three of these at once today!

Had the white crowned sparrows yesterday.

Rose, beautiful Robin shot!
Chris, your bluebird is a pretty one too.
Adel. glad you're seeing more Gfinches.
Mrs. Ed, your birds are so pretty.

Mrs_Ed. Your 'New visitor' came all the way from Alabama to you in matter of days. He flew a long way just to visit. lol. (I saw one a little while ago for the first time, I was besides myself then).

yah, and just think. not too long ago he was in Central america!

One traveler he is lol

Here is a great Heron quickly strutting by.

boy he owns that deck, doesn't he!

Hi duc, Thats a Barn Owl; so cute!

Duc, Love the Pelicans!!

Rose, Beautiful Robin!

Frank, Lovely Bluebird!

Adel, Love the Goldfinch!

Mrs Ed, Beautiful new visitors!

Lily, Gorgeous Great-blue Heron!

Frank...love that shot of the Bluebird!

Mrs. Ed...Lucky you...I haven't seen a Rose-breasted yet but as I type the Indigo Bunting has just found the caged feeder and goodness sakes is he a beauty!! Nice shot of your RBG, btw!!

Lily...Let's trade houses for a few weeks!! Love that strutting Heron!

Duc...Your Pelican shot makes me homesick...so pretty!

Cool Rose! I dont' think that I'll see an indigo here, though they are already on the lifelist.

Got another of the brown thrasher. I'd sure like to get one of these throwing the leaves up in the air like they do.

Look at the blooms on this tree!!

Breakfast at my house!

Beautiful Brown Thrasher Marna!

BeaHive, Love the Goldfinch!

DH just saw 2 Rose-breasted Grosbeaks outside...it is starting to get dark here now. Hopefully they will show up at the feeder tomorrow. No hummers seen yesterday or today...but I have been busy so I could have missed them.

How about a Turkey Vulture...lol!

yay RBGs. Did you tell him that I had 3 of his favorites, brown thrashers?

My first Painted Bunting just showed up! This shot isn't as good as I thought/hoped it was when I took it. Focus was a little off. But you can see it's him!

I hope you guys are proud of yourselves... I didn't know what a grosbeak was until watching this forum.. I picked this one out today... didn't know what kind it was until Mrs Ed's photo... but hey that's ok.. I am happy I knew what it was... and never saw one before

:)

Thanks guys!!!