Winter Birding Highlighted by Oriole Visits

He’s a long way from Maryland! But truth be told, Baltimore Orioles have become common sights in the Southeast. 

A neighbor who lives only several hundred yards from me (as the Crow flies) has been attracting them to his backyard feeders for years. 

The key I learned from him is grape jelly. Orioles have a sweet tooth for jam. So I recently put out some jelly and sure enough the last several days one has come to my backyard. 

The Orioles also seem to like the seed food seen in this photo (taken through my kitchen window) but this one may have been trying to stay out the rain too.

Bluebird House Hunting?

 

I observed this Eastern Bluebird checking out two of my backyard birdhouses. Both seem to be vacant now so this male Bluebird may be seeking to claim one for the winter or even looking ahead to the spring for birthing babies time. 

Back With More Backyard Birds!

Yesterday while doing some errands outside I heard the distinctive cackle of a bird I know well: the Belted Kingfisher.

Grabbing my camera and monopod, I went into the backyard, which is close to a small pond.  I soon spotted the Kingfisher and lucky me it landed nearby on my neighbor's Purple Martin house.

Winter 2015 Backyard Birds

(A number of new photos were added on February 15 and March 22, bringing to 17 the number of different birds photographed in my backyard recent weeks)

This weekend I spent some quality time on my back porch enjoying the warmer winter weather while photographing some of the visitors to my feeders and nearby trees.

A nice variety of feathered friends feasted on the array of seeds and suet hanging from my (warning: product placement!) Wild Birds Unlimited set up located several feet from my porch. I like the position because the birds are very easy to see and the squirrels can't jump onto it from tree branches or the roof. Also, quality photography is possible while I'm sitting on the porch or stealthily looking down through my upstairs bathroom window.

Chipping Sparrow Pair

I like this photo of Chipping Sparrows because of the front and back perspectives it has. It's neat how symmetrical the feather pattern and colors are in the bird on the left.

These small birds don't spook as easily as most types that come to the feeders. They are focused on their eating and don't mind my presence nearby clicking (silently) just a few yards away.