I guess it's time to start a new thread. Since I've put the wreath feeder up with the peanuts in the shell, I've had Blue Jays daily and they eventually found the bird bath. But today is the first time I've ever seen one actually get in and splash around in it. I need to get a cam aimed at the wreath feeder soon, the Red-Bellied Woodpeckers have even found it.

It was snowing here and he looks like he's trying to catch the snowflakes while letting the water go down.


Coming in for a landing.


The face dunk just before splashing around.

Great pics, Murky!
Saw a red shouldered hawk in one of our trees today, no pic though.

Murky Just too cute. Always appreciate your nature pics ..

Your blue jay's are much different than the type here.
Pic of stellar jay. The meanies of the garden…always chasing other birds away. Makes it difficult to feed other birds at all.

But the hummers are still around. So this winter has been record breaking warm temps . The hummers haven't had to go into their tupor - hibernation stage yet.



Por gal …She needs a Barbie raincoat.

I love having the blue jays around, they never ate from the feeders here until I put up the peanuts in the shell. They often empty that wreath in one day. It's fun to watch them pry them out, and if they should drop one on the final tug, they're smart enough to just fly down and grab it and take it wherever they remove the shell and eat it. I had to put a baffle above and on the pole to keep the squirrels from eating all the seeds but it was worth it to have them here daily.

I've been using when mourning doves slide into the water that it's time to refill and clean the bird bath. They're that predictably stupid. They try hopping from one foot to the other while flapping, and if they catch their balance and don't slide all the way in, they sit there looking confused about what just happened and just stare at the water instead of drinking again.


Edit to add visits from cardinals and blue jays. Many many more blue jays that I love seeing.

I've noticed that sometimes the blue jays scoop up as much water as possible by sliding their bills along the water before lifting their heads to drink. I'm starting to think they're one of the more intelligent birds.

Ventured out into icy, windy 32° weather to fill the birdbath and encountered these two. I've been watching them hanging out together for a couple of days; they seem to be buddies! Ladder-back woody and English sparrow.



Shot these through the kitchen window yesterday



Not much other activity around the feeders or birdbath. Stinkin' cold, bits of snow still in the shadows.

The blue jays like the peanut suet I buy from walmart. Although, they only seem to "come out" during the warmer months.

NMoasis
Really impressive bird pics especially thru a window. My camera usually focuses on the rain spots. The red billed woodpecker is beautiful.

We have the red headed sap sucker similar in color . I never get a pic he is so sneaky plays ring anround the roses around the tree trunk if he sees anything movin.

Thanks Bea. I have trouble catching the sapsuckers too. They are infrequent visitors and are usually gone by the time I grab my camera. This was a fast, fuzzy shot last spring

Like all of you that posted, I also enjoy taking photos of birds. Love the photos of the bluejay and the mourning dove coming in for the landing. Unfortunately, I've never been able to capture a focused picture of a bird in motion! I have several pairs of cardinals that visit, so I'll share those.

Got our birdbath de-icer setup, and seed out, in advance of a week of colder weather.
Saw some common ducks at the lake, female mallards? Brown with a bright blue-green patch on the side. So so nice that nature gifts us with all the different colorful birds.

@Sallyg is your de-icer solar or electric?

@Christine404 Love those cardinals!

NMoasis said: @Sallyg is your de-icer solar or electric?

@Christine404 Love those cardinals!

Plug in looks like this style
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHNBYZRG/

Thanks Sally

Reminds me of our water heater's.
Plug in for water out in ponds and water trough for horses looks like this..


Many different types for different applications to keep water from freezing outside in winter…..all available on yep your got it…Amazon.

NMoasis
I saw the red headed sap sucker on the trunk of the pine tree in the middle of a 🥶 blizzard today. Brave lil guy. I guess the sap is running in the trees. Oh goodie more holes in the trees.
But didn't go out to snap a pic it was 17 degrees and ice falling .

I'm determined to get that sneaky lil bird. Eventually.

I'm glad I got more food last week, I thought I was preparing for cold, but we got surprised by snow with it.

Before it snows in November or early December, I always take a trip and grab up to six 20-40# bags of the bird seed I use and maybe 20 suet bricks so I don't have to worry about doing it in snow storms. And it'll last sometimes into summer before I need to go again. It's about an hour away, so I don't bother going too often, and I sure don't want to go in this type of weather if it can be avoided.

That's an investment!

Snow and ice along with hungry birds are always welcomed with fresh water and food daily. It's extremely important during these long cold snaps . Keeping the hummers happy by rotating liquid feeder that freeze replaced daily.