Birds Of Fall

Pardon the intrusion, Mister Cardinal, but could you please step away from the rock pile for just a moment?

Thanks so much. Now would it be too much to ask if you could please turn and face the sliders of the addition?

Please forgive the interruption of your noshing. Seeing that the bird feeders have just been refilled and hung for the coming cold season, it did not seem too much to ask for you to pose for a quick portrait. You are looking brilliantly handsome in your ruby feathers, the camera loves you!

Now to you Junior Miss Cardinal, your shyness is well documented, unlike your flashy male friend. Do you think it possible that you might turn to face the windows where the camera is trying to capture your beauty from inside the house?

No? That is all right, this will do. You look ravishing my dear.

Ahem.

Much better. Now that is a good pose, Mister White Breasted Nuthatch.

Thank you for sitting so still, Mizz Rufous Hummingbird.

Or that is what, make that who the bird book leads us to believe you are with your spotted neckerchief. (Yes, this is the same bird.)

And when compared to what, sorry, who, whatever, looks to be Mizz Ruby Throated Hummingbird, who appears to be necklaceless.

The proper date to remove the hummingbird feeder is an unknown to us, but seeing as there are still many flowers blooming in the Fairegarden for your dining pleasure, it seems reasonable for the feeder to remain clean, filled and hanging for a little while longer. It is so delightful to watch you dart around from flower to feeder back to flower all day long. Rain or shine.

The red pentas were planted for the butterflies, which are pretty much a no show so far. But the hummers have made good use of the nectar and given us plenty of photo ops, when we can remember to bring the camera out that is. All of the previous images were taken with the new camera, the Canon Powershot SX1 IS, using its powerful 20x zoom. The above shot was taken using the old camera, the Canon Powershot A720 IS, using its pitiful 6x zoom on August 31, but I was sitting much closer.

A couple of shots taken earlier in the year that we would like to share are this perky fellow, the American Goldfinch on the still loaded with seeds Echinacea. There is nary a seed now , they were picked clean as a whistle and the naked stalks have been removed for a more pleasing view.

And this romantic pair of Eastern Bluebirds taken the day after we received the new camera, April 27. A lucky coincidence of birdy bath time outside and human camera getting acquainted time in the lazyboy. The gallant male stands watch, or is he watching her? Or both? When she was finished and groomed, he hopped in for a quick bathe as well.

The hummingbird shots were taken outside sitting on the garage deck stairs. All the rest were taken through three panes of glass from the lazyboy throne. Life is good.

Frances