Some Birds*
There has been a break in the weather, but ice is still in evidence.
It is time to go see what could be seen outdoors after being cooped up for entirely too long by rain, ice and cold.
There was a ruckus being made by some feathered friends as we gingerly stepped along the pathways. Noisy for their size, the tufted titmouse twittered at us, but still went to partake of the offerings from the feeders.
The red bellied woodpecker is the largest diner at our feeders.
The downy woodpecker is much less intimidating to the little Carolina wren whose rear parts are in evidence on the suet cake feeder hanging behind the acorn.
Cardinals used to be our most numerous birds, but not this year.
Mockingbirds are plentiful, for there are many berry bearing bushes around the garden.
Winter is still upon us, but the birds are like flowers in the landscape.
***
*The official counting of the birds is also upon us. The Great Backyard Bird Count-this is the link is a fun way to help out our sweet birds. It is easy and good for an individual, group or family. You can count in your own garden, or go elsewhere. It only takes a few minutes and can be quite exciting! I encourage you to participate. The birds will thank you and so will I. So, save the dates, February 13-15, 2013. Click on the link to find out how to do it and submit your counts.
Past Fairegarden Counts:
The Great Backyard Bird Count-2008
One, Two, Three… 2010
Great Backyard Bird Count- 2011
In 2012 we counted but did not write about it. We promise to do better in the future.
Frances
Some lovely birds there! And they do indeed need as much help they can get during winter and glad to see your bird feeder well used
Mark and Gaz said this on February 4, 2013 at 5:12 am |
Hi Frances
Some wonderful photographs of lovely birds, nice to see such variety
GrowingYourOwnVeg said this on February 4, 2013 at 7:13 am |
Love the pictures of the birds. I can almost hear them scolding you for interrupting them as you walk along the paths!
indygardener said this on February 4, 2013 at 7:46 am |
The birds do provide entertainment and color at this most drab time of year. Love the acorn shaped feeder.
Layanee said this on February 4, 2013 at 7:54 am |
I wonder if birds mind having their picture taken with their mouth full? (chuckle) And as I’m from South Carolina, I must call for a better view of the Carolina Wren than just the shot of its cute little rear end. Do you know what’s up with the Cardinals? I don’t have many this winter either.
Marian St.Clair said this on February 4, 2013 at 8:20 am |
Your birds are lucky to have such a marvelous garden to swoop around in. I am sure they enjoy helping you keep the insect pests out during summer. It is nice that you reward them in winter by putting out such a nice feast for them.
Lisa at Greenbow said this on February 4, 2013 at 8:53 am |
Hi Frances….I love your post! I have never participated in the GBBC but will definitely participate this year! I know why there aren’t many Cardinals in your yard this year…..they all came to my yard…LOL!! Yesterday I took a picture (which I will post in the future) of our Willow Oak….I counted over 30 Cardinals in that one tree. We’ve never had so many at one time. I really like your little acorn feeder…really cute!
Christy said this on February 4, 2013 at 9:02 am |
Thanks for the reminder!! Last year was my first year
_emily_rose said this on February 4, 2013 at 10:04 am |
Watching the birds is what gets me through the long winter months. I love all the birds but I especially love when the bluebirds show up. They just cheer up my day!
Pearl said this on February 4, 2013 at 10:20 am |
We have a cat so do not put out birdfeeders. BUT I just discovered the Macauley Library http://macaulaylibrary.org/ where I can see and Hear all manner of birds – and fishes and other creatures. Virtual birdwatching is all I will ever aspire to.
commonweeder said this on February 4, 2013 at 12:01 pm |
You are so right that “birds are like flowers in the landscape”…especially in the winter. I have two feeders in easy view of where I do my sitting at the kitchen table and the birds always capture my attention. We have been fortunate to still have a generous cardinal population and they are probably my favorite visitors. Your picture of the puffed up mockingbird is adorable…they usually look so alert and uncuddly.
meander1 said this on February 4, 2013 at 1:37 pm |
Your top picture – I always think there’s something special about seeing autumn and new leaves tangled in the same place.
Esther Montgomery said this on February 4, 2013 at 1:57 pm |
I like your bird feeder on the second photo, nice ! Beautiful birds !
pivi said this on February 4, 2013 at 2:52 pm |
We have many cardinals and downy woodpeckers (and occasional red bellies), but I am jealous of your tufted titmice.
gardeninacity said this on February 4, 2013 at 3:41 pm |
I love your birds, such beautiful colours, birds in the garden are a blessing and a pleasure. My favourite here in Tasmania, are the fairy wrens….so tiny, the male bird wears a most brilliant shiny blue cape, as a family they work together, the children from the previous year always help to feed the babies of the next year…it is so cute to watch. We made great friends with ‘our’ wrens, when we lived on the edge of a forest on Bruny Island, they would actually feed out of my hand, it is a treasured memory for both of us, we even have a video of them.
Your acorn feeder is wonderful, what a lovely sister-in-law you have, and now you have two, more room for more birds. Happy bird watching…one of lifes pleasures.
Sandy & Richard said this on February 4, 2013 at 7:10 pm |
This is the first year I’ve put feeders in the back garden where I can see them from my recliner. The goldfinches keep me entertained with their comings and goings.
Cindy said this on February 4, 2013 at 7:25 pm |
Such beautiful birds…and I love your Giant Acorn feeder which could have starred with the vegetables in the movie Sleeper! Today I discovered some hanky panky going on out by my “squirrel resistant” bird feeders…. Our two resident squirrels, Felony and Misdemeanor, were swinging from the crabapple tree branches onto the tops of said squirrel resistant feeders like the Flying Wallendas , shimmying on the feeders as they swung like pendulums from the trees, and then immediately jumping to the ground under the feeders to eat what they had shaken free. Such Wiseguys! Just keeping us amused til the bulbs bloom…..
Marguerite said this on February 4, 2013 at 8:51 pm |
We ,love birds and I especially loved this post. We do not have cardinals in the West…they are splendid! Love those woodpeckers!
Elizabeth McLeod said this on February 4, 2013 at 9:41 pm |
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment Frances. I do have to pass on the episode of filming the wrens feeding from my hand, (with an old style video camera), Richard was doing the filming…it was two days before we left this idyllic place were we had lived for 8 years. The filming was going well, I was covered with about 8 wrens….all squeeking with delight, THEN they spotted the video camera up to Richards face….and in a protective attitude, they started to attack the camera…thinking that this black monster on Richards face, was attacking him….I think that shows how much we had become a part of their family. The person who bought the house, carried on the tradition…..we miss ‘our’ birds them very much.
Sandy & Richard said this on February 5, 2013 at 10:27 pm |
I love your photos. I have tried hard to replant my yard to attract a variety of birds so I have a real appreciation of what you have created.
Charlie said this on February 8, 2013 at 1:53 am |
We too have the Red bellied Woodpecker at our feeders, but just the female. She sure does squawk when the feeder is empty!
Janet, The Queen of Seaford said this on February 12, 2013 at 6:27 pm |