Another stormy day here
in Michigan, and I decided to not put out cameras on a tripod because of it. Instead, I put them on the ground. I would still love more Junco footage, and Cardinals too but the weather has been so weird and erratic that things are just super duper boring. However, here are a hilariously “shy” squirrel and a Goldfinch with lots of stuff blown towards him/ her. Come good into Friday!
During these duller times,
I often think back on the year and more fun times, like June. June means that the Hummingbirds have arrived and the garden is coming along. I am still geeked out about Hummingbirds, they are so fascinating to me. So tiny, so fierce, so beautiful. And I love when I can lure them to the camera. The June bird of the Ostdrossel 2022 calendar is a Rubythroated Hummingbird, the only species we get here (apart from rare exceptions).
You can get a calendar here, they come in four sizes: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
Things are rather calm at the moment,
and I realize that I am writing this a lot but it is also kind of typical for the season. I am a bit glad because work has been quite demanding recently, too. However, my eyes cannot stay away from the yard, and it is always a pleasure to see something other than Blue Jays, MoDos or finches. Like my big bird love, these guys - the Bluebirds. Once again I could hear them this morning when I went out to fill the feeders and set up the cameras, and I got rewarded for daring to put some mealers in the open. I hope your week is going well!
I always get a kick
out of the Redbellied Woodpeckers at the cam feeder. They come for the nuts, and sometimes it takes them a bit, but then then they figure out how to cling. With this female, I thought it was cool how her belly feathers bunched up. You can see a bit why they got their name but it’s also kind of cool how vibrant and almost neon they look.
It's Friday, and that is a good day
to introduce the May bird of the Ostdrossel 2022 calendar. It is an American Robin, and I chose this bird and photo for May because it is my birthday month, and I am in love with the clarity and light here. You can almost see the trees awakening with all this fresh and vibrant green. The bird is sitting on a bowl with an orange half and a blob of grape jelly that I put out in spring. I do it for the Orioles mainly, but many other birds enjoy it as well. If you want to try it too, choose grape jelly as natural as possible. Mashed grapes will work too. American Robins are the state bird of Michigan, and while they usually leave my area late in fall, some will also spend the winter in the state. Come good into the weekend!
My calendars are available here: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
The pickings are slim still,
but this is normal for this time of the year. It was a cold day today, and there was even some snow. The MoDos come in large groups, and often occupy the food dishes for hours. But occasionally, they have enough and let other birds feed. I loved this Blue Jay with the dotted forehead and the proud-looking Goldfinch that still has quite a bit of color on him.
Video: Owlie has seen some things...
It’s been a week, and Owlie has gotten a lot of attention from the birds here, and has changed a bit in appearance. You can’t see that the back is almost entirely eaten already. I love that this feeder invites several species to eat together, they usually don’t always like to share so much… Here we have one of my favorites, a Redbreasted Nuthatch (I think it is a male, his head cap is all black, the females have grey there), and a Goldfinch. This was taken with the Birdsy Cam, and in case you have not heard yet - they have now launched in the US and you can get a camera in their current Christmas sale. Check out their website at birdsy.com.
The BBs came over today
and did not disappoint. Grumpy faces, beautiful detail and overall loveableness. I heard them when I got out for the second refill of the day and decided to try and put some mealers out in the camera feeders. I cannot set the clock to when they come but they are hagning around. Having mealers out in open feeders at all times would give me a bunch of Starlings, so I try to listen. Come good into the week!
The month of April
in the 2022 Ostdrossel calendar is graced with a gorgeous Common Grackle. If you have followed me for a bit, you will know that I have a special love for these glorious birds. This I think is not Count Grackula but he is part of the family. They are seasonal visitors here, coming in spring, raising their babies and then moving south once it gets colder. They are smart, fierce, impressive and absolutely stunning.
The calendars come in several sizes. There is a link on my main page but you can also click here: Calendar shop.
Oh, how wonderful!
There are several Cardinal couples around, and you have seen some of their offspring too. the whole summer I have heard and seen them, but they are shy when it comes to the camera… But the colder weather has brough them out more, and today this beautiful female came to sit by the camera.
Video: Snow days are fun
because frosty conditions make the birds flock to the feeders. It is of course looking especially pretty when the sun is shining too. All the pretty snow has pretty much melted already but here is a little visitor medley from earlier.
Video: Spa day for "Owlie"
I hung this feeder yesterday, it is made of sunflower seeds, peanuts, some fruit and I think thistle. It is a crowd pleaser, and it was hilarious to watch them give the "owl" a wellness treatment on this beautiful snow morning. The Birdsy camera got a bit confused over night because it thought there was an actual owl there too 😄
First snow day
of the season, and while a lot was the same as normal, these guys showed up as well - a male and female Cowbird. People do not like them a lot once they figure them out, but hear me out! They have a function in nature, and , you might have guessed it - humans screwed things up for them. I like them, so HELLO!
I always like it
when I see bird couples coming to the yard. The Cardinals do it, the Finches, and probably everybody else too but you just can’t tell that good if they look alike. The male Redbellied Woodpecker has made himself rare all year but today he was here. And his lady was there as well. She is the one with the blue-gray forehead.
Sharing is caring,
and I hope that just like this Goldfinch and Downy are peacefully sharing a meal, you will too. In company that you like and choose. A Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it tomorrow. Be safe out there and enjoy the food!
A quick Hello
during a busy start of a work week. The light right now is interesting, either almost blindingly bright or so murky that every hour seems like 5 PM. I do prefer the sunny days, though. It is true that birdwatching makes you more aware of the cycles in nature, and I always find it interesting to see how the position of the sun is changing with the seasons. Somehow, that regularity is soothing amidst the chaos of life. Now, with the trees almost empty, there is also a noticeable uptick in hawk activity, so far with no casualties. Here are a Blue Jay and a House Finch to brighten your Tuesday, and I hope it is a good one.
And here
is the March bird of the 2022 Ostdrossel calender, a harbinger of spring, but also the announcer of a 10 day special sale of the calendars - a Redwinged Blackbird. I love these guys when they look sleek and relaxed but I always get a kick out of their puffed up state. Here, you can also see what gave them their name - the gorgeous red “epaulets”. You can find the calendars in three sizes in my shop here: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
The squabbles continue!
Here with two who rival over who gets the most peanuts - a Blue Jay and a Redbellied Woodpecker. I have several feeding stations around, including a seed cylinder, and it is funny to see them all making the rounds on all of them, depending on the time of the day and the amount of food in bowls or on platforms. Apart from a little “beak rattling”, nothing nasty happens in those fights though. Humans should follow their example more. Have a great Friday!
The selfie-expert
was back today to take a pic with a House Finch 😁 I think he is improving his skills, too! If you are still thinking about getting an Ostdrossel calendar, I recommend to check my shop from Nov 19 to 29 for a special promotion where calendars are a bit more affordable. You can find the shop here: https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Shop/ostdrossel
It is funny
how some birds make a complete disappearance and then suddenly return in full force. The Goldfinches are a case of that. Now in less vibrant winter plumage, they come to feed on seed pods in the garden, check out bird baths for a sip or two and also go to feeders. I personally don’t feed thistle because I find it too messy but I also realized that Goldfinches LOVE shelled sunflower seeds. So much that one year, I picked them out of the mix because I wanted to get photos of other birds too 😆
