Birds and stuff

Things have been a little crazy around here lately - that happens sometimes, it's in the name, "chaos", duh! - and I feel like I've been somewhat neglectful of my blog and my bloggy friends and I'm very sorry for that but I also think it's going to continue for a couple more weeks.

The tufted titmouse from yesterday and these birds here were taken a couple of weeks ago at my parents' house in Missouri - it was an impromptu trip, long story, but anyway, this female cardinal seemed a little different shade than the others, more yellow(?), I liked her colors!

They are such regal looking birds! But back to the chaos, we had our quick trip to Missouri, Oklahoma and back, Camp Angel all last weekend (such a great program!), trying to help a dear friend with wedding planning (they are marrying April 10th and I'm matron of honor - still trying to figure out how to hold my bouquet and the camera, maybe I'll just strap them together), trying to keep up with my photo-a-day diary (hard copy, not electronic, but I'll post all about that at some point, promise), diet/exercise/frustration/lack of motivation (ps I have posted over at our weight blog), and I'm sure there's more, but, drum roll please. . .

We'll be leaving towards the end of next week for Florida! Yay, warmth! But, I'm also going crazy with all the pre-trip what-not's. While I'm gone Macro Monday will be on semi-autopilot, but that's about all that will be here, I will post my photo a day via facebook (link to me at the bottom of the page) like I did for our Maine vacation.

So, please know, I'm not turning my back on you, I love you all! Things will calm back down, just a little time - ps, did I mention that I'll be swimming with manatees on my birthday (Feb 8th)?! Fun!

Hopefully, I'll make it back from the trip relaxed and refreshed and ready to take on the world. :0)

Backyard Birding

I love sitting and watching the birds at the feeders.

I took these as our days started warming and the snow began to melt, exposing hidden seeds, and attracting the Redpolls. Btw, our snow is almost completely gone from our yard now, only a tiny little pile remains.

It amazed me that she kept creeping closer to me.

And the Cardinal played peek-a-boo, the big fraidy cat.

I kept looking for a male Redpoll and finally found one. He wasn’t as friendly as the female.

But he was entertaining.

backyard birds

I’m really not sure why some evenings our yard is extremely full of birds and other evenings I only see my Chickadees. One evening last week as I sat on the porch, I was excited to see my normal folks (3 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, Umpteen Chickadees, 3 White-breasted Nuthatches, a couple of Blue Jays and several Dark-eyed Juncos),and a pair of Brown headed Cowbirds, 2 pair of Cardinals, 3 Goldfinches, a couple of House Finches, a sweet little Sparrow and 5, yes 5 bluebirds. The Bluebirds excited me the most because one little female seemed extremely interested in my birdhouse.

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Let's Photograph some birds

I spent just a little time in the yard yesterday and in addition to seeing my everyday juncos, finches, nuthatches, and downy woodpeckers, I found for you a Robin.

A pair of Cardinals.

A Hairy Woodpecker. He’s been hanging around for a while and I was surprised how much bigger he is than the Downy’s.

For the first time ever, I saw a Brown Creeper, right in my front yard! I don’t care if the picture is fuzzy, it still proves I saw him. I guess the point I’m trying to make by showing you these photos is that when I see a bird for the first time I try to get a photo, any photo and then try to get a beautiful photo when I can. I usually start by snapping at a safe distance and then slowly walk towards the bird. Snapping as I step. Unfortunately, this was the only shot I was able to get of this guy and I hope he comes back.

Fibi alerted me to this fellow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Brown-headed Cowbird before yesterday either. He didn’t seem to mind Fibi scratching at the screen and I shot through the screen. When I opened it, he flew away.

One more first. . .

A Pied-billed Grebe, found while walking along the river a few days ago. Then as I went back to the car I caught a little acrobat.

My husband tells me that “Professional bird photographers set their tripod up and probably wait hours to get the shot.” I have no patience and I have heard some of you saying that you don’t either. My bluebirds, from a few days ago, I drove into a cemetery, spotted one, and snapped from my car, I got lucky, but if I hadn’t we would have missed them, because I can’t sit still.

This was my first bluebird shot, taken through the front window. Aren’t you glad I didn’t stop with the first shot?

So, my point in all of this, is grab your camera and go snap those birds. Practice makes perfect. Some of the best places I’ve found, to find birds easily, are cemeteries. Often you can you can use your car as a blind. Give it a shot, and maybe in a couple of days I’ll have some more tips for you. I will be going to the “Photographing Birds” by Jim Miller, Wednesday evening.