Sunny Day ~ Open for Business

Feeder filled to the top and open for business...

 

If it seems like I see the same type of birds over and over again, it's because that's what lives in the area and that is what I'm attracting.  I don't put out a tray-style feeder so I rarely get Northern Cardinals (maybe on the ground) and the mix I put out is not designed for finches although I'm getting House Finches. 

 

Here is my unofficial "pecking" order of what I see:

 

1. White-breasted Nuthatch (most common and least afraid)

2. Black-capped Chickadee (common but they are quick to hit and quick to fly off to eat)

3. Downy Woodpecker (I may have Hairy Woodpeckers but from what I've seen - Downys)

4. Red-bellied Woodpeckers

 

I get Dark-eyed Juncos on the ground for sure.  And I'm seeing more sparrows and House Finches and that may be due to my neighbor's feeders.

 

So, here is what I saw yesterday afternoon:

 

First up, White-breasted Nuthatches...

 

 

A Black-capped Chickadee joins in...

 

I got some better shots of Black-capped Chickadees...

 

 

And my first 2018 pictures of Downy Woodpeckers...

 

 

A White-breasted Nuthatch pops in from above...

Vantage point for feeder pictures

Here are two images showing where I take my pictures from and what it looks like.  I've sketched in an approximation of the feeder and where I stand...

So the distance could be 15 feet I'm guessing.  Nuthatches are the least bothered by me being there.  Eventually most birds ignore me and come for the handout.

  

And here is my view.  The fork in this branch lets me rest my hands so I can steady the camera...

 

Another sunny day at the feeder

I try to go out around 3pm on days like this to get the best sun on the feeder.  Haven't seen any Downy Woodpeckers yet.  I think my neighbor's feeders are attracting the House Finches which are welcome but I'm less excited about them.  White-breasted Nuthatches are always the least hesitant to come in while I'm standing there. 

Here is what I saw today...

White-breasted Nuthatch (trying a closer zoom)

 

Female House Finch waiting her turn

 

And a Nuthatch again

Finally warm enough to stand at the fence for a few minutes

Here is what I saw (and heard)...

The usual crowd of White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees and Dark-Eyed Juncos were around.

I was looking through my camera view finder and I heard a loud noise from the feeder.  It doesn't happen often when I'm standing there but in flew a Red-bellied Woodpecker...

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

 

 And finally the quick to land and quick to leave Black-capped Chickadee...

 

 

Rusty likes snow (just not the cold)

Interesting sunset last night

Feeder activity today

I'm excited it's warmed up enough to get outside.  I saw a Cooper's Hawk flying in the woods this morning so I'm sure it likes another feeder to attract activity as well.

Here is what I saw this afternoon...

A male and female Purple Finch

 

Black-capped Chickadee

 

White-breasted Nuthatch taking off

 

Nuthatch again 

 

And finishing with a Nuthatch and male Purple Finch

Sun sight

Captured this last evening.  I was interested in the sunset but the sun was pretty bright.  I happened to see this branch in front of me kind of "sighting" the sun.

Catching up from last week

Here is a Dark-Eyed Junco on January 2...

And here are White-tailed does against a pretty morning backdrop a few days later...

Which one of these is not like the other?

These are from the last two nights.  Cold for sure.  You can see the minus 8 on the pictures last night.  Good activity with bucks a few nights ago and overnight captured a blurry Red Fox but good to see one again.



First feeder shot of the season and the new year

Hey, it was below zero actual temp outside so I didn't wait long but here is a House Finch on my feeder.  I'm excited for the next four or five months of my "feeder season".  I'll try to have it out until leaves start blocking my view.