Winter has returned
with quite a bit of snow this morning, and it was awesome watching the Cardinal share the food bowl with a cheeky American Tree Sparrow and some Juncos.
Another cold day,
but some beautiful little ones came to visit the feeders. I am happy about the Juncos and the Tree Sparrow, they usually feed on the ground. The Titmouse looked adorable as always. American Tree Sparrows can be easily confused with Chipping Sparrows, but one good ID sign is a spot on their chest.
During this still
rather boring stretch of the year, the birds that do pass through or are regulars appear to be more skittish and camera shy than in previous years. But maybe I am just overly focused after having such little diversity and activity for the last few months. I did get the White-throated to come a little closer, and also got the young Cardi (I love his color transitions) along with a beautiful House Finch and a very pleased looking Chipmunk.
Yesterday, we had the first frost warning
of the season, and it is only fitting that on that day, a “snowbird” made his way to the camera. Dark-Eyed Juncos only visit here when it is cold, and the first ones have arrived earlier this week. They make the funniest little noises and are generally cool to have around. Pic number 3 shows a White-throated Sparrow that has been very curious but not made it to the food bowl yet. Maybe today is the day? Happy Sunday and stay warm!
Video: FOY White-throated Sparrow
Spring migration is underway, and while I haven't seen an Oriole or Hummingbird yet, this beauty stopped by the bird bath this morning. White-throated Sparrows are native to the US, and they look super cool with their bib and head markings. I only get them for short periods, so it is always a delight to see one.
I have seen numerous Oriole sighting reports yesterday, so they should also arrive here any day / hour now. The Bluebird babies had a huge growth spurt yesterday, are developing their dotted “PJs” and have started to exercise their wings. Dr. Clara did not spend the night on the nest with them but this could also have been because it was so warm. Things are looking up in the garden too. Baby veggies are getting bigger and the fruit trees are full of blooms. Even the Mulberry that we transplanted here a couple of years ago as a sapling has a bloom. I cannot believe my favorite month May is almost here.
The February bird
in my calendar is a Song Sparrow. This is a species that I rarely get in front of my cameras or in my backyard. The photo was taken on a lovely day that I spent at the Belle Isle Nature Center in Detroit last winter, talking to fellow nature lovers and showing my setup. They were nice enough to allow me to set up my camera outside their fabulous birdwatching window, and that is when this beautiful native sparrow came. It was a day full of snow, and I absolutely loved the wild, wintery background.
Video: White-crowned Sparrow bathing
White-crowned Sparrows are a native species of America, and I only get them in my yard during migration time. It is hard to capture photos of them too because they are quick, shy and only rarely go to the feeders. The Birdsy camera caught him taking a bath, and he goes into the pool just like me :D
.303 lifetime batting average and over 1600 R.B.I.
Meet Chipper Jones.
When I saw him on the Birdsy cam, I put a camera on the ground close by because I often see the Chipping Sparrows foraging on the ground. And I am delighted that he came in for a portrait because I didn’t have a Chipping Sparrow check out the cameras in quite a bit.