Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Love is in the air....

I'll let these pictures speak for themselves....







Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Teensy foot prints



Now that the snow is gone, I thought I'd post what I found last week before it had all melted. So long, winter!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me!

What a beautiful day! A few years ago on my grandpa's birthday I saw a flock of cedar waxwings, and now today on my birthday here they are again, like Grandpa Lambert was sending his good wishes to me.



And even an ordinary sparrow can look sweet on a day like today. 


Other birthday callers include chickadees, a goldfinch, a woodpecker, robins, a female cardinal, and a bluejay calling in the distance. 



Sunday, February 12, 2012

Finally!

The chickadees have finally found the suet. 


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The Evil Eye


Eating happily. Alone. Unbothered.


Flaring crest! Sparrow beware!
Sparrow, seeing her flaring crest, raising her an Evil Eye. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Homemade Suet

Our last order of beef from the butcher came with two chunks of beef suet. We melted it down (a very stinky process), added cornmeal, rolled oats, peanut butter, seeds, and nuts, then let it cool and harden in the fridge.

And voila!





Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Monday, December 26, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!


A Turkey Speaks

I have never understood
why anyone would
roast the turkey
and shuck the clams
and crisp the croutons
and shell the peas
and candy the sweets
and compote the cranberries
and bake the pies
and clear the table
and wash the dishes
and fall into bed
when they could sit back
and enjoy a hamburger.

-Unknown Author

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Taking Flight

As I returned home from a shopping trip I had to wait for this group of geese to move along. 
Look at those wingspans and the white tail feathers. 


Sunday, October 16, 2011

Carefully Observing

I was out in the yard taking photos of the leaves and saw a few juncos observing me very carefully.


Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Goose Wedge

While watching a group of about seven geese practice their wedge formation, I just had to laugh. The first pass they did over the house was in a V, but one lost goose tailed them, flying back and forth between the two arms of the V, unsure of where he belonged. As they passed by again they were even worse off by forming two rows, one in front of the other like an equal sign.

This is not a photo of that group, but it looks like they are trying the equal sign too.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The (non-thieving) Magpie

I've heard the overture to the opera The Thieving Magpie many times on the radio and I confess it's the only thing I know about the bird. I wasn't even sure what one looked like until my friend pointed it out while at Rocky Mountain National Park.

There was nothing criminal about this magpie.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

A different brand of blue jay

In Rocky Mountain National Park, the color palette is very brown, tan, grey and green, with splashes of gold in autumn as the aspens change. So when bright blue darts across your path, it catches your eye.

Introducing, the Steller's Jay. Majestic blue coat with a black crested head.




Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Fall is Coming

While not exactly a V formation, a telltale sign that fall is on its way! (Photo taken almost a month ago).

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wildflower Cafe

Two goldfinches look over the day's special, black eyed susan and coneflower salad.
Enjoying coneflower

Quite the buffet!

Digging in

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Room for Rent

Unfortunately the robins who lived under our deck have moved out. They didn't like their noisy neighbors, I guess.



Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Lower Deck Inhabitants

The closest I could get to this robin's nest without being dive-bombed by a pair of protective parents was about 10 feet. These two built their nest underneath our deck, directly below our patio table. All you can see of the nest from this photo is a long wisp of something hanging from it.

While I did save myself a pecking on the head, a nervous robin swooped and fluttered above me before landing in the yard, a severe look of warning in his eyes. I apologized and excused myself quickly.



Friday, July 8, 2011

King and Queen

These two finches conversed for nearly 10 minutes from the top of this pine. Discussing the state of their kingdom, perhaps.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

More Cedar Waxwings!

It has been over a year since I saw the flock of cedar waxwings, and now this week I've seen them twice! There must be a pair nesting nearby because there were two in the same maple tree as last year, and yesterday this guy (looking behind)...

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

In the Neighbor's Maple Tree

A pair of cedar waxwings
In the neighbor's maple tree
No longer with their flock of friends,
Wild and soaring free

Monday, June 20, 2011

Cowbirds at it again!

Just like last year, the cowbirds are after the robins again.


Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!

Daddy is looking out while his little ones eat. 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Birdie Shower

A mourning dove showered in our sprinkler today. He nestled into the grass and lifted his wings one at a time to get those underarms!



Thursday, June 2, 2011

A Chickadee's Nest

This, from our correspondant Diane. A family of chickadees took up residence in a small hole in the foundation of Diane's house. They discovered this on Mother's Day as a busy little mommy chickadee fed her babies while dogs and humans looked on. What a strange little place for a nest.


Holly checking out the nest.


Saturday, May 28, 2011

An Owl Story, from Illinois

Almost a year ago, my uncle in Illinois told us about an owl who liked to hang out in a tree by his front porch and poop bones and fur onto the sidewalk. He recently sent us another owl story just as fascinating. Take it away, Todd!
"Walked out my back door around noon and heard thumping coming from one of the black garbage containers I have outside. Figured a squirrel had somehow figured a way in despite them being closed. Flipped the lid on the first on, peered in = nothing. Flipped the second one open and again, nothing. Then I hear noise from the brown waste container (it has no lid). Peered in and there was... AN OWL for cryin' out loud! Not sure why it was in there. Nothing in there to eat. Maybe hiding from crows or other birds. Anyway, I laid the container down and was able to get quite close (almost to petting range). But that beak and those talons keps me cautious. He left after awhile but seemed to show no fear."



Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Chinese Proverb

"Keep a green tree in your heart and  
perhaps a songbird will come." 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Friday, May 6, 2011

Love Birds

Perhaps they are celebrating their anniversary, too.

 

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Can he fit on there?

You know there's a big bird at your feeder when you can hear him eating from inside the house.

Look at that beak! (Chomp, chomp!)