Backyard Birding an Ongoing Joy

 

A recent brief photo shoot in my backyard reminded me of how fortunate I am to live where I live, to have the bird feeder arrangement I have, and to have this hobby I have. 

Relaxing on the deck one morning during my recent Spring Break from teaching college, I photographed several types of birds in a short length of time, all while sitting comfortably in an Adirondack chair. 

In this photo you see the approximately 15 feet it is from the chair to the array of tube, suet and bark butter offerings hanging from the elaborate feeder station. Birds currently have 11 choices at the buffet, plus two bird baths (seen flanking the feeders). 

Alesia (who took these pictures) and I will reach a milestone 30 years in our home this June. In the backyard is where my interest in photographing birds and learning about them slowly grew and flourished. 

On the day I photographed the birds in this post, March 8 at around 11;30 a.m., I was pleased with the quality of the images, particularly how well the eyes of the different species are prominent. See if you agree. 

I try to photograph birds not just at the feeders and baths but also in the nearby trees, bushes and on the ground where lots of seeds end up after falling from the feeders. We also have a small pond at the edge of our property that attracts many larger birds such as Herons and Egrets, as well as turtles and alligators. 

                                    Brown-headed Cowbirds

Mourning Doves

Hermit Thrushes 

American Robins

Canada Geese

My feeder station has a secret weapon. One feeder has a camera and it daily records video clips of feathered visitors. This is a new bird to me, the Orange-crowned Warbler. I’ve recorded this bird a bunch of times and recently for the first time saw the orange spot on its head. Here’s the video. The still shot (right) came from it. 

Baltimore Orioles continue to regularly stop by for grape jelly. A Tree Sparrow is also seen here. 

Note that the Oriole is banded. 

The Oriole below is a clean plate eater! 

I had a bit of a mystery with this splotchy Baltimore Oriole. It lacks the adult male’s brilliant orange colors so I thought this a female. Research reveals it to be a juvenile male. In the weeks ahead the black will expand throughout the head and neck and the yellow breast will become orange. 

By comparison, this  is a mature female Baltimore Oriole (right and below). 

                                Here’s another feeder regular with brilliant coloring, the Northern Cardinal. 

I will remain at the ready for more bird “captures” in the future!