Almost Spring

Sorry I have not posted much lately, but been really busy. Between photography and yard work and other things I have been kept busy. Here are a few favorite bird images from this month. 

I will be posting more as the spring season begins and I get out more to explore.

Bird Bath

Busy day at the unfinished bird bath...still have work to do on it. Going to make the upper part bigger so the birds don't fight each other to take a bath. Going to set it up so I can photograph them...will be ready by spring. Today was busy...19 species stopped by to feed at the feeders and enjoy a drink and a bath. the list below is the ones took a bath.

Pileated Woodpecker

Brown Thrasher

Tennessee Warbler

Nashville Warbler

Pine Warbler

American Redstart

Canada Warbler

Scarlet Tanager

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Blue Jay

Black-capped Chickadee

Purple Finch

Song Sparrow

Robin

Mourning Dove

White-breasted Nuthatch

Starling

Chipping Sparrow

Downy Woodpecker

This will be short

Not much happened today...not up to speed today. I stayed around the house and photographed the insect life on the mock orange bush. Such a nice day, but when you don't feel good you must listen to your body.

Here are a few images form today...

 Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

 Mock Orange Flower

Bluebird Sky

Nice day....

It was a nice day, but the wind was blowing out of the North East and made it a bit cold. I stayed around the house and did some gardening and watched the birds. I also was also able to watch a feeding bumblebee on the gooseberry flowers. 

 I did some changes to the bird bath so I could get some shots of birds taking a bath. A little change here and there and I got it almost right. This Yellow Bellied Sapsucker was really enjoying himself.

Even had a Rose-breasted Grosbeak stop by and grab some lunch today.

The White Crowned Sparrows were everywhere today. They loved the bird bath and even sang for me.

I would say it was a great day, but it ended on a sad note. While I was watching the birds feed a swift flying Merlin flew in and grabbed a White Throated Sparrow. I guess they have to eat too.

Also I have an UPDATE on Mommy squirrel. She is back with her young ones again, but to my surprise she has three of them.

Evicted

Well I had to evict mommy squirrel and her two young ones. I had no choice, they had made a bad mess of my eves and started chewing on the house. I feel bad, but she will find another home. I seen them running across the yard and up a large oak tree. Anyways it is going to get cold tonight and I hope it don't freeze to bad. I mostly took photos of the birds and squirrels at the feeders today. It was just to windy out and chilly for any good macro photography today. I covered some plants up and hope the rest make it. One question...where did our spring go?

 Enjoying Lunch

 Making a choice

 I'm trying to eat it here...do you mind not taking my picture!

White Crowned Sparrow enjoying an afternoon bath.

Orange

 A sour bite!

 Baltimore Oriole

 Enjoying the orange

It rained all day and I sat and worked on images I took over the last few days. I set up a small tripod on my computer desk and placed my camera on it and took photos through the window of the feeding birds and squirrels. Mostly what I shot today was just the Orioles and squirrels feeding on oranges. It is really amazing how fast it greened up. Won't be long and I will be mowing the lawn, but will wait till the dandelions are done blooming.

Cloudy and Rainy day!

I hung around the house today and did some yard work. It rained for a few hours, but i was still able to get some yard work done. I also took a few shots, but nothing to exciting. Did have a Nashville Warbler stop by for a quick drink from my smallest of ponds. Still have a few White Crowned Sparrows hanging around and 3 Baltimore Orioles. They sure enjoy the grape jelly and the squirrels also.

Happy Days are here again...

Today was so exciting that I am wore out.

I went down to the pond and watched a pair of loons and many other waterfowl. I took over 8 Gigs of images of wildflowers and other subjects. This afternoon I watched Baltimore Orioles coming and going at the orange feeders today. Spring is here and I'm enjoying it. Heading to the hills North of town tomorrow in search of wildflowers and moreals. I'm also starting to plan my first canoeing/camping trip of the year. About 2 more weeks and I will spend two days on the river and pond.

More Snow!

Snow!

 I wish it would make up it's mind...Spring or Winter.

 I have had so many species of birds here today. Well over 100 species of blackbirds. Grackles, Cowbirds, Red-wing Blackbirds plus all the Juncos and other Sparrows. Even a Brown thrasher stopped by to get in on the smorgasbord of free food. It started snowing a few minutes past 3 pm. The light was fading as I sat at the open window trying to get a few shots of the feeding birds. I did get a few decent shots, but I will be up early in the morning trying again.

 American Tree Sparrow

 Slate-colored Junco

 American Tree Sparrow

Slate-colored Junco

Fox Squirrel

I just found out that a Fox Squirrel has a nest in my eves. She has young ones too! I found the hole she gets in and now as soon as the little ones leave I have to plug it. In the meantime I can enjoy the little ones and try to get some photos of them. lots of birds feeding at the feeders today....right now I see a big plump Fox Sparrow scratching for food. They are such a beautiful bird.

Woodpecker

Well I have not been very active with my camera today. I watched movies and did a little shooting of woodpeckers at the feeder today. It has been really windy and cold with snow falling all day. I guess it is spring in Michigan. Last year I was out shooting wildflowers already. I guess things will be a little slower this spring, but once it does warm up things will grow fast. Many species of birds at feeders today.

 Juncos, American Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Blue Jays, Redwing Blackbirds, Common Grackle, Tuffted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Robin, Mourning Doves, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Starlings and many squirrels.

The Unexpected Visitor

This afternoon I made a temporary bird bath until I put in the small pond for the birds. Anyways, I had just filled it with water and went inside. I sat down and looked out the window and spotted a yellow spot in the bush. I watched as a yellow warbler flew down to check out the water. I grabbed my camera, but was to late. Later on around 6:50 pm I looked out the window and was watching American Tree Sparrows when the warbler flew in. This time I was able to get a few images. 

No matter where I go I have my camera next to me....you never know. 

I am designing this bird bath so I can get photos of birds at the local yard watering hole. 

A little digging and cement and rocks in the right place I will have a nice set up. 

I hope the birds don't mind me spying on them taking baths.

Bohemian Waxwing

This Bohemian Waxwing is waiting for his turn on the Dwarf Juniper.

In the Company of Cedar and Bohemian Waxwings

This morning I kept watch on some trees in front of the courthouse. During the last week a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings have been feeding and hanging around this large Dwarf Juniper. A few minutes past 8am I noticed the waxwings were there. I grabbed my camera and dressed warm and walked over to the courthouse lawn. I thought for sure they were going to fly off, but to my surprise they did not even mind me being there. I was so close...5 feet at one time and as I was leaning against a small tree for support one of them landed on my head. How I wish someone else was there to grab a photo of that. The sun was shinning and the sky was blue and I had perfect lighting. I took 345 images and I left. If they come back again I will go back and take some more photos. So far they have been around a week...and I'm looking forward to getting close to them again.

Pileated Woodpecker