The male goldfinches are finishing their spring molt. Such beautiful birds, their song is liquid gold, sweet and delightful to hear.
Tag: feeding birds
Curves
In the middle of the man-made straight lines and angles and curves, the tree trunks’ natural irregularities, there are this grackles’ smoothly curved bill, outline, and rounded eye/iris.
Gold finch
The goldfinches are just beginning to gain their summer plumage.
Wind-up toy
Sometimes I grin when I see the juncos scratching, hopping around. They look like wind-up toys.
Downy Woodpecker
This was a good day to sit outside for a spell. The snow had mostly stopped, there was no wind, the altostratus occasionally broke, the temperature was about -7C. Faye and I took a break from chores. We sat outside about 8 meters from the feeders, far enough away that the birds generally kept going about the important, necessary business of feeding. This Downy Woodpecker has been a regular visitor to the suet feeder this winter.
It’s good, important, to get out and appreciate the real world. Have to say that I was slow and reluctant to do that today. I was filing, scanning, sorting, getting ready for 2013 tax season. Into being diligent. Faye announced that she was going outside so I eventually, a little slowly and reluctantly, donned snow boots, snow pants, parka, toque, scarf, and headed outside.
We spent perhaps 45 minutes outside and I’m glad. Can’t change the fact that it’s February 9, there is almost a foot of snow on the ground. Don’t have to like those facts, it’s good to accept those facts. Spending time outside helped me appreciate my snug home, helped me appreciate how so many birds are dependent on my regularly filling the feeders.
Helped me appreciate my life.
No one here
This photo aptly summarizes the past three weeks of activity at our bird feeder. You may recall that I am participating in Project Feeder Watch, a citizen science project.
For the first two weeks there was a stream of visitors – sparrows, juncos, a Red-breasted Nuthach, blue jays. Since then, few birds have come. I suspect it’s because the fruitful growing season resulted in a prolific supply of wild foods. Another factor is the absence of snow cover so far this season. Activity will probably pick up because it’s been colder than normal for most of the past week and it looks the first accumulating snowfall will happen this weekend.
previouslytexan 