Backyard Birding......

Mrs. Red Bellied Woodpecker isn't seen often

at my suet feeder, but this morning she braved
the cold and came for a visit.

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want

to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read,
and all the friends I want to see.
John Burroughs

When I think of friends I think of all my 'backyard friends'
If I could no longer wake up and look out my windows...I don't
know what I would do. I love all the birds and animals that
grace my yard and I love to take their picture.

The Doves gather for a drink, or a bath

The bird bowl was the best gift I got for Christmas.
Everyone in my yard loves it, and I'm sure it brought
the Mockingbird back in to the yard...

On this cold snowy morning he stands in the snow with
his head held high and his tail even higher.

The Tufted Titmouse is enjoying the new peanut feeder.

Among the many 'grape snatchers' I have the
Gray Squirrel is the funniest to watch.

Each window holds a different view.... This is my side
kitchen window and I can look far up the hill
to the tree line. The red star marks the spot of
the hawk I see with his white chest shining in the sun.

The first picture I take is out the window....just in case as
I open the door he flies.....

Then I quickly dress and go out onto the porch...
This picture has more clarity than the first.

Then..... out into the yard and about 25 feet closer.
(you'll need to click for a closer view)

I get past the bushes and to a spot where I have a clearer shot
and a closer one too....

Bye Bye Mr. Red Tail.... Thank you for stopping by.

To God Be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

The Northern Cardinal

Dedicated to all my blogger friends who do not
get Northern Cardinals at their backyard feeders.

EnJoy

Last year I counted 12 pair of Cardinals in my yard
but this year I have even more than that.
Sunday Morning it was snowing and as I looked
out towards the feeder all I could see was 'red' in
the bushes. Click for a closer view. Almost every bird you
see is a male or female Northern Cardinal.

The brilliantly colored Northern Cardinal has the record
for popularity as a state bird: in the United States,
it holds that title in seven states.

According to Cornell's"All about Birds" This common
bird is a winter fixture at snow-covered bird feeders
throughout the Northeast, but it only spread to
New York and New England in the mid-20th century.

It's song is a series of clear whistles, the first
down-slurred and ending in a slow trill.
"Cheer, cheer, cheer, what, what, what, what" then "chip"
Once you hear a Cardinal you will remember it and be
able to imitate it easily.

They like dense bushes for cover and will sit in
them between their trips to the feeder

The female Northern Cardinal sings, often from the nest.
The song may give the male information about when to bring food

Female Grayish tan. Red in wings, tail, and crest.
Face and breast have some red. Face mask gray to black.
Conical bill red to orange.
Brighter red males hold territories with denser vegetation,
feed at higher rates, and have greater reproductive
success than duller males.

Cardinals will easily share the feeder with other birds.

Two of the predators of the eggs and chicks are Eastern
gray Squirrels

and Blue Jays.

Coopers Hawks and Shrikes will prey upon adults.

I know one thing.... They are a welcome sight in the
dark dreary days of winter when color is drab.

Male or Female they are equally attractive birds

I hope you enjoyed the Cardinals at my feeders.
Winter snows sure bring out birds in numbers.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done