Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Word Bird Wednesday

The weather has been quite interesting here the last couple of days.  That huge winter storm that they called for did nothing other than dump some much needed rain on us.  Oh, there was enough ice to shut down the bridges for about three hours but, other than that...Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  I am not discouraged, however, as winter is far from over and I am ever hopeful for a bit of snow that sticks and looks pretty for a day or two.  We got some last February so, fingers crossed! 

Because of all that rain, coupled with the fact that I have been neglecting them with the camera, I decided to stay 'focused' on the yard birds.  And so, for Springman's Word Bird Wednesday over at The Pine River Review, here are the birds that came to feast in the yard today. Oh, and, as usual, I ask your patience as I, once again, attempt to identify this weeks birds.  


This one was tough.  It was a toss up between the Downy Woodpecker and the Hairy Woodpecker.  I'm going with a Downy here because his beak is somewhat smaller. 

A Mourning Dove

Carolina Wren

This Cardinal was the first one to brave coming in close on the deck rail.

Followed by this Blue Jay who took a bite and then stared at me.

And then by this House Finch who stood there and ate pretty much no matter what I did.

This red-bellied woodpecker is new to the back yard.

I heard a ruckus in the left back corner of the yard and saw that these Cedar Waxwings were the cause.  I love these birds and this is only the second time I've gotten a picture of one!  I've seen them once over at the pond but this is a first for the back yard.  There are four of them in the picture.  Can you see all of them?



 I say Warbler on this little guy and my best guess would be a yellow warbler.  Argh!  Bird identification is so HARD!


Those, my friends, are Charleston, South Carolina icicles. 


22 comments:

Sondra said...

YOU got some terrific SHOTS! very sharp and crisp--I saw all 4 wax wings...such beautiful birds..Love the light on your Wren shot!! I think your warbler is the Pine Warbler...Such a wonderful Green-yellow bird! The snow is nice but it can melt now...we enjoyed it now it must go--lol

BB said...

I feel like I'm looking out my window every day when I see your pictures. These are all around plus lots more. Titmouses, redwing blackbirds, tons of hummingbirds too. Love, love,love birds thanks to my Grandma. She taught me all about birds.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The pictures are incredible. I hope to be able to take pictures like that someday. Love the icicles, great picture.

CDScott said...

Great shots! I am new to your blog but am really enjoying your images. You inspired me to put a few bird shots on my own blog.

Springman said...

I love the icicles! Very funny! You have quite a variety of birds in your own backyard to practice your identification skills on. One Flew Over the Empty Nest is an inspired name for your blog!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Fantastic bird pictures.I like how you captured the Waxwing in flight.
Blessings,Ruth

Empty Nester said...

Thanks Dixxe! I 'm still holding out for some snow. And hoping that more waxwings show up soon!

Barb, my grandmother loved birds too. Cardinals were her favorite.

Debby- thanks- all the pictures I've seen of yours are fabulous! The icicles were all of 2 inches long! LOL

CD- thanks! I saw yours- incredible!

Springman- yes, and they were all of 2 inches long. Thanks, DD1 came up with the name for the blog! And it's so appropriate, us living in a nut house and all...LOL

Martha Z said...

I agree, bird identification is hard, especially with juveniles.
You sure do get a wonderful collection at your feeders, mostly I get house finches, goldfinches and sparrows. None are interested in the suet feeder except one little yellow rumped warbler.
Well, the hawks like the feeder but that is a different kind of feeding.

Sally in WA said...

You had quite the variety of visitors. Wonderful shots of them all.

holdingmoments said...

Such great birds you have in your yard. I'm slowly beginning to learn some of them too, through visiting blogs.
The Cardinals and Blue Jays are my favourites. Such beautiful colours.
And you got some Waxwings too :)

Empty Nester said...

Ruth, thank you! I was lucky with the waxwings for sure!

Martha, you are too funny!

Sally, I could hardly believe all the birds that were here yesterday. Of course, now I won't get anything accomplished today because I'll be sitting there with my camera hoping for more!

The color was nice with the skies being gray. Even though I do enjoy dreary days.

Adam Tilt said...

Looks like you have a fantastic array of birds visiting your yard. I remember seeing Blue Jay and Cardinals when I was visiting the US several years ago. Unfortunately it was in my pre-camera days. I'm going to have to go back.

Weezer said...

I too, am a bird-watcher and love being able to sit and watch. I have a wonderful recipe for homemade suet if you're interested. If you have the Birds and Blooms magazine you've probably already seen them. I'm always so surprised at the difference in the bird population from area to area. I've never seen a Waxwing over here in Augusta. Now I'll have to watch for them.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting at Weezers Haven.
Weezer

Unknown said...

Quite the selection. My favourite photos are the Cardinal, The Red Bellied Woodpecker,and the House Finch. Boom & Gary of The Vermilon River, Canada.

Empty Nester said...

Adam- come on over! They're here all the time! And bring your camera. LOL

Weezer- I do want that recipe please!

Gary, it was a blast yesterday, seeing all those beauties. Last night I went out and bought different kinds of seed to entice them back along with others!

Unknown said...

Great backyard bird shots! We have most of theses species up here, especially now that the snow is flying. We're originally from Virginia Beach and know what it is to wish for a little snow but we don't have to anymore. Up here in the Blue Ridge we've learned to add PLOWS to he end.

mick said...

That's a great assortment of birds coming in to the feeder. The little red one is my favorite!

Jane said...

Hi there, this is my first visit to your photography , I've signed up as a follower because I've really enjoyed looking at the great pics - even quite ordinary birds can seem exotic to a non-American!

Perhaps if you have a moment you might like to pop over to the UK and have a peep at my own blog :O)

http://rattlebox-rcfairy.blogspot.com/

NatureFootstep said...

great shots. Very nice and vivid. This time my eyes was cought by the dove. It is lovely. :)

jeanlivingsimple said...

Super shots! I agree that your Warbler is a Pine. I have them in winter. It looks rather cold for Charleston. BTW...I lived in Myrtle Beach years ago and visited your fine town often.

Unknown said...

It's the second gorgeous Dove I see on blogs today and both are very different from those here. Most common is the Turkish Dove and you could hardly find one 20 years ago. Amazing, isn't it?
All birds and shots are terrific.

Liza said...

Love these bird photos! I don't have feeders because of squirrels and coyotes and deer and whatever else I fear will may to dine...