Week end Birding in the Backyard

It was a good week end for backyard birding.
Although my furry friend took advantage of
the seeds I put out for the birds, AGAIN!
He doesn't seem to mind the snow and being
covered in the white stuff.

I didn't realize how many whiskers a squirrel has.
Reminds me of a cat!!

Saturday the feeders were teeming with song birds.

I counted seven pairs of cardinals.

Whoa! landing can be tricky!

The snow just kept falling.. and then all the birds
just flew into the thicket and bushes. Gone!

I ran from window to window until I spotted the culprit.
My resident 'sharpie' was on the hunt.

He ducked his head and bobbed up and down.

He looked right and then left and was searching for
his breakfast I bet!

He's such a pretty little hawk! It's hard to believe he eats
birds!

Being unsuccessful he flew to a nearby tree and sat in the top
for quite sometime.

When I looked out at the feeder a downy woodpecker was
clinging to the post and not moving a muscle. He sat there
for 15 minutes, long after the hawk was gone.

Even though the snow was blowing, and temperatures have
dipped into the single digits....with wind chill at 20 below
the pussy willow is right on time.... full of buds.
A subtle reminder of Spring to come.

And as cold as it was, Mr. bluejay didn't seem to mind
as he sneaks a bite of suet.

It's all about the EAGLE!

My friend and I went to Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County
yesterday to look for the many eagles that we've heard
hang out there. She went last week and got some great shots,
check out her blog and her eagle sightings
"You Don't have to go to Alaska' (Feb. 6 posting)
http://mybirdtales.blogspot.com

When we arrived at the designated sycamore tree.....
There it was!!! seemingly posing for us and we were so
excited. It seemed to be preening, not even caring that
we are across the water watching.

It just sat there and did it's thing, while we 'shot' away.

We always wish we could be closer, or it was a better day
for light. Today the light and the snow made everything
have a blueish tint which had to be edited out.

We talked and mused about what the eagle was doing and.....

where it's mate would be.. wishing again he or she would
show up in time for our photo shoot.

The sun did finally come out and then we couldn't see
through the viewfinders to shoot because it was in our eyes.
Still.......the Eagle sat there.

Was he waiting or just resting after a big lunch?

After getting several hundred photos we moved on up to
the spillway of the dam. Nothing happening up there
except gulls sitting with their reflections in the lake.

Back down the hill and there he is! We arrived at 2:30 and it
is now 4:15. How long could this bird sit here?
A wonderful opportunity for the perfect shot.

When I got home and started to edit I wished I had taken
fewer pictures. What a job!

I am thankful for seeing a beautiful Eagle and in the shot below
we think this may be a nest. We will keep an eye on it to be sure.

As we left for the day, the Eagle remained in place at
the top of the tree..

It's Pouring in the Northeast

The rains are coming down and temperatures are
going up. We broke a record yesterday when it hit 59
degrees. The pouring rain doesn't keep the birds
from the feeders. A drenched titmouse comes for seeds.

My furry friend doesn't seem to mind either nor
Mr. C waiting his turn.

But the downy woodpecker found refuge in my wren box.
You can see where he made the hole bigger to accomodate
his body.

And to my surprise as I looked out towards the playhouse
I saw this skunk looking my way. I seldom see them in the
day, but always can smell their presence at night.

HAWK - a -licious week end!

Saturday was a very frosty morning and I took
advantage early on and got some shots!

Be patient the HAWK part is coming...

First, Mr. C looked stunning on the branch
with the frosty background.

And the sparrow was peeking out of his ice
covered bush.

these are the seed pods of the Rose of Sharon bush.

The ice that formed looked like a fern like leaf.

The sky was a beautiful blue and the pine trees and
bushes were all covered in frost.


Mr. squirrel seems to be asking what I'm doing out
here so early with my camera.

Later that afternoon

The most exciting catch was a Coopers Hawk in the field
behind my house snatching a dove for dinner. Never underestimate
the Sony H9 camera and the far reach it has.
I was atleast 150 yards away. With the help of
picasa and some cropping and editing I was able to
bring it in a little closer.

I could not see the dove close enough to witness it's
struggle, but the Cooper was holding on tight.

Patience is a virtue and waiting it out is of no consequence.

It's wings would go up and down during this time.

Here, he turned and the dove outstretched it's wing... the
hawk ready for lift off.

Last shot before he flew up and away.

Another siting on Sunday evening was a Red Tail Hawk
in front of the Veterans Home. I see this hawk often.
It's always on the same pole, that is until you try to
stop and get a picture.

That is when the chase is on...and I decided to
to follow it on this day.

It flew to other side of the Veterans Home and landed in
a tree. By the time I got there it was getting ready to fly
again.

I was able to get just close enough for this shot...my best
of the chase. It was still too far away.

It then returned to a pole turning to watch me.

I can't believe I could spot him
this high up and far away. You get used to
looking at all the poles when hunting and
recognize the 'hawk' silhouette.

My last Hawk Sighting was the little Sharp Shin high
up in the tree in my yard. He is a cute little hawk. Loves
to troll my yard for song birds.