Bird butt

From August. 

Morning at the Beach

This was from September, well into what seemed to be an early fall. It was cool that day and the seagulls congregated on this rock to squawk and poop together. 

Quiet times

We haven't had much bird activity at our new house, and it's been very disappointing. Coming from a neighborhood with such diversity to one where we haven't even had to refill the feeders all summer, it makes me sad, like there's something sweet missing in my life. 

We had some migratory ground feeders in late summer/early fall. They didn't come to the feeder but flitted among all the trees in our yard. We had warblers and redstarts in with this group. They were difficult to photograph.

I did see a hawk one day. Next year I will go to Hawk's Ridge to watch for them. 

I think I have a few bird photos from the summer, mostly seagulls. We're going to vamp up our bird feeding operation this winter/spring. Until then, here's my new sweater:

Redstart

I came out from putting the baby to bed and Rob said, "We had a visitor," and urged me to look at the photo he sent to my phone. I went outside to check and he was still there. He must have smacked the door and was a little dazed.

American Redstart, probably a young male.

Loon on the Lake

Can you spy the loon? 

Or is it a merganser duck? It's too far away to tell for sure but it looked like a loon.

Our new adventure!

I had to say goodbye to my backyard birds this week and in a few days I will meet the ones who live in my new backyard. Here's a seagull; something we'll be seeing a lot of now!

Zoo Goose family

These geese live at the Zoo near the farm and are so used to people they didn't even try to move as we and our excited children came within feet of their young. I wonder if this watchful parent is one of the babies we saw this other time we were visiting the zoo farm.

Sky Blue Sky

I just love the avian diversity in my neighborhood. This bald eagle was flying right over our house! 

Rare sighting of red-tailed hawks

A pair of red-tailed hawks were soaring over the yard this afternoon, riding the breeze. One took a rest in the neighbor's tree. In a word, impressive. After they left and had been gone a few minutes, the flock of cedar waxwings flew out from their hiding spot to their favorite crab apple tree.

A Christmas for All Creatures Great and Small

The birds weren't the only ones who appreciated what I got for Christmas this year. All creatures are welcome at my feeders. I had bunnies and squirrels (even a mouse) climbing the entire ascent of the deck steps to enjoy what we put out for the birds.

A wreath decorated with suet balls. Unfortunately the dog helped herself to these goodies.

Homemade bird seed cakes in fun cut-outs. Chickadees and downy woodpeckers love hanging from these, but it was the squirrels who would steal them off the hanger. 

Snowman feeder. I didn't have enough sunflower seeds to fill him all the way but I put him out anyway and the squirrels found him.  

Catching up a little

It's been a busy fall/winter so I haven't been updating this blog as much as I would like.

This photo is from after Christmas. A Cooper's Hawk, chasing all my little birds away.

After the Storm

The robins found the heated birdbath. 

Mid-winter break

How many cedar waxwings are flocked in these trees?