Chickadees, Sparrows, Blue Jays and Robins

2009-12-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

For years I knew only the basic birds - Chickadees, Sparrows, Bluejays and Robins. Recently I began feeding the birds in my yard. It's something I've wanted to do for years but have never had the time. Occasionally I'd see a different bird in the yard, take out my bird book and try to identify it. A bit of a task at times!

For the past two years my birding skills have improved - not a lot but at least I can identify more than four birds. It started with the purchase of a camera, a few old bird feeders, and a large feeder constructed by my husband and son. The feeders were set up in my side yard - the only area I really liked as it was small, cozy, and seldom had junk left behind by others in the family!

Over the past few days we have had over a foot of snow. Today I shovelled walking paths to the bird feeders and heated bird bath. Then I set up my shelter on a plywood platform, put a chair inside and sat inside with my camera and a candle for heat. I had all but one window of the shelter closed so was only able to watch and shoot (photos) from one angle. I spent a lot of time in the shelter listening....birds fluttering, chirping and singing all around me. There were lots of Chickadees, a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches, one female Purple Finch, a Downy Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker. There may have been others fluttering around but not from my 'bird's eye view' in the shelter.

Several times this past year I have tried to get a good picture of the Nuthatch living in my yard. It just never sits still long enough to get anything clear. Today it perched on a branch just in front of my open window in the shelter. It sat there as if it was posing for several minutes. As soon as my camera warms up I'll check out the shots. Wish me luck!

Birds and Tea

Chickadees, Sparrows, Blue Jays and Robins