The case for dandelions (it's not about bees)

We don't treat our yard for dandelions.  We would rather not expose our dog to chemicals and I've learned that dandelions are important early in the year for honey bees.  And over the years, I've noticed that finches and Chipping Sparrows like to eat the tops off the ones that have gone to seed.

This year has been no different and we've had the addition of American Goldfinch in my back yard...

 

 

 

The excitement this past week though was having Indigo Buntings in my backyard eating the seeds while sharing space with our state bird the American Goldfinch.  Below is a snippet from my blog listing photos I wanted to take and you'll see Indigo Buntings closer was a goal.  The pictures aren't the best but I didn't have to leave my house so I consider myself lucky.  I've even included a short video clip:

 

 

Two for the price of one...

 

And a video clip just because...

 

 

 

 

Cleaning up after the birds

This post is just catching up on some bird pictures from the last few weeks including a female Robin sitting on a nest in our front yard (roughly eye level).

First up, the elusive Eastern Bluebird.  I don't see often but they are around and I keep trying to get better pics...

 

Here is an American Goldfinch in my yard...

 

 

 

I hear Red-winged Blackbirds in the neighborhood.  I spotted this one in Adel while picking Russ up at the groomer...

 



 

And here's the mama American Robin...

 

Goldfinch on the "wild" side

I'm blessed with good neighbors for many reasons.  On one side, I have multiple feeders for many types of birds and on the other, I have wildflowers that attract the birds.  This is what I saw on the "wild" side last evening...

 

The next 3 photos show a male and female

 

And a female only

American Goldfinch feeding (but not at a feeder)

I've seen as many as five or six Goldfinch at a time feeding next door.  My neighbors on the other side have put out feeders so when you combine that with the natural selection shown here, it has been fun watching them.  These pictures taken at maybe at 5pm.

 

 

And now, an experiment.  I will include a short video here.  If you are reading this on an e-mail, it may not play but it should work on my actual blog.

 

 





Truly Wild Canaries

Ruth had been telling me she was getting American Goldfinch coming to her feeder on her window.  Today I witnessed the show.  At one point we had two males and a female.  Fun to see this close.  I know I'm including a lot of pictures here but I like them all.  Notice the feathers ruffling on the female in one of the photos...

 

We have new neighbors

We actually have three new neighbors but the ones next door to the south are bird and nature enthusiasts.  We went from three dogs barking to feeders and a bird bath in the yard.

I joked that I will be taking advantage of their feeder by taking some pictures.  They are a nice couple and it's nice to have neighbors that appreciate the environment we have.

So, here are some American Golfinch pics from lunch today...

 

 

I have zero cover so I will continue to try to sneak up closer and maybe not zoom in so much.

Last day of the feeder for the "season"

I only put my feeder out in the winter and early spring.  When the oak tree starts filling in, the light is blocked and my view is blocked so my picture taking suffers.  The birds don't survive on my feed and I've realized I'm mostly putting it out to get pictures so time to put it away.

Today was a good day and a great way to end my feeder season.  Because it's the last day and my favorite bird, I will include all of the American Goldfinch pictures I got today on lunch...

 

If you look closely at the back of the head, the yellow coloring is not all there yet.

  

I will probably try a thistle sock again in my front tree so stay tuned for that!