It's been cloudy, dreary and very windy here all day today; the temperatures never made it out of the 50's. The feeders have been busy. I took these pictures through the kitchen window a few minutes ago:

Sparrow ............................................. and (I think) House Wren:


Downy Woodpeckers, male .................. and female. She waited in the tree while he ate and then took her turn:


Red-bellied Woodpecker, female ........and Mourning Dove:

Well since it's the last day of February I thought I would report that the 2 Whooping Cranes are still here. They landed in the lake bed about 6:15 pm and were still there until it got too dark to see them. I guess with all the bad weather in the North with that polar vortex they are just going to spend a bit more time with us. I don't blame them. Smart birds. Since both are males I do hope that they get north soon enough before all of the females get picked over.

I'm glad they aren't subjecting themselves to that killing weather and have to figure that since they are staying put for now the others whoppers must be doing the same so the timing will hopefully work out where they all meet up together.

I love the pics, really liked your hawks Lin. I must dig around and find the shots I have of the wood stork rookery in New Port Richey. I think ya'll'd like them, there were just so many, and the racket they made was awesome.

Yes Ric, please do!

Oh yes!!!

Ric - I agree. I hope you can find them and share a few photos here!

Ric, oh I hope you can find those photos. I bet that Wood Stork rookery was a site to see and hear, the big birds sure are loud when there are bunches of them in one spot! We have Pelican rookeries on the inland waterway islands here in Florida too and they can be very loud too ... and very stinky if the wind is blowing in the right direction. We used to launch our boat right across from one the locals named Pelican Island and it was not pleasant when the wind was in our direction. Here's a video I found of the Wood Stork rookery in New Port Richey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Yes, That is the one we have the pic's of.

Hello, bird people! I was at MOSI today so I took the opportunity to try and test out my picture-taking skills. Up first was a bird in the feeder. There were actually two of them (you can see part of the other one on the left side of the photo). At first I thought Mourning Dove but I didn't think they had that black collar. So I checked my book and it says it's a Eurasian Collared Dove. Not native. But I think I got a decent photo, at least.



Then, I saw a couple of reddish-brown birds that kept tree-hopping. I think they are Brown Thrashers. You can see the underbelly in the pic where it's in the Sycamore.



And I totally know Cardinals but I thought I should practice my stealth moves and picture skills.



Speaking of Cardinals, I was caterpillar hunting when I heard a noise near me. I looked over and this Cardinal was attacking its reflection in this poor person's side mirror. I remember you guys talking about that a few weeks ago but I had never seen one do it. It was kind of funny, but I scared the bird off before it could hurt itself or the car.

Melanie, love that you are seeing so many birds. That pretty dove looks to be the Eurasian Collared Dove: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/g... I had one in my backyard in 2008 but haven't seen one since! I agree the two brown birds are Brown Thrashers: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/g...
Love the pretty Cardinals! We've had the tufted titmouse as well as juvenile cardinals banging into one of our sliding glass doors lately. There's film on the doors to keep the heat and sun out and it causes the birds to see their reflections; they go on the attack thinking it's another bird. I've got decals on most windows and doors but need to get more for the lower parts of the one door that they seem to keep attacking!

Mel - Some good bird shots! I love the one of the Cardinal looking in the side mirror of the car! Great Shot!!!

Lin - You have me wondering now if I might have Eurasian Collared Doves in my yard from time to time. I will have to pay closer attention to their necks.

March is here already.... post March photos in the new March Backyard Bird thread:

The thread "Backyard Birds - March 2015" in Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum

Oh! I laughed at this photo on Journey North of a Whooping Crane flock:

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/...

Becky, That photo made me laugh out loud! Thanks for the new link for March!