My bird week, most photos taken through the windows, so not allthat sharp.

I was happy that a pair of House sparrow were building a nest over several days, then I didn't see them for a couple of days, I think this is why, pain in the butt female squirrel was in the box and chewing the wood, note the chips she brought out of the house and put on top of it, I watched her do this many times. I wonder if she will have kits in there?



I was delight to see the return of a pair of Western Tanagers, they are such pretty birds. I am very annoyed at the Crows, they keep eating all the suet and the Tanagers really like it.



Saw a few House Finches and several Red Crossbills. Annoying Ravens came and scared them away.


Thirsty Evening Grosbeak, look how far he stuck his beak in the water.


Beside those there were Cowbirds, Black birds, Gold finches, Pine Siskins, and White-crowned sparrows, the annoying Ravens, Crows, Sharp-shinned hawks and the Cooper's Hawk. I did enjoy watching the Crows gang up on the cooper's hawk and drive it from the yard

mcash70 said:My bird week, most photos taken through the windows, so not allthat sharp.

I was happy that a pair of House sparrow were building a nest over several days, then I didn't see them for a couple of days, I think this is why, pain in the butt female squirrel was in the box and chewing the wood, note the chips she brought out of the house and put on top of it, I watched her do this many times. I wonder if she will have kits in there?



I was delight to see the return of a pair of Western Tanagers, they are such pretty birds. I am very annoyed at the Crows, they keep eating all the suet and the Tanagers really like it.



Saw a few House Finches and several Red Crossbills. Annoying Ravens came and scared them away.


Thirsty Evening Grosbeak, look how far he stuck his beak in the water.


Beside those there were Cowbirds, Black birds, Gold finches, Pine Siskins, and White-crowned sparrows, the annoying Ravens, Crows, Sharp-shinned hawks and the Cooper's Hawk. I did enjoy watching the Crows gang up on the cooper's hawk and drive it from the yard

Wonderful Photos!

Wished I had that assortment around here at this time. Great to see so many species of smaller birdies!

Fantastic shots Margaret

Margaret what amazing shots! The Tanagers are gorgeous as is the Grosbeak.

Elaine, very interesting. I have never heard tell of Doves perching on "normal" feeders before you said this. I certainly never had any do it.

Playing with my new camera, I finally got a shot of a male Hooded Oriole on his feeder

Nice shot and he is color coordinated!

Wow, those Tanagers look like the belong in a tropical paradise. Somewhere where your drink always has an umbrella in it!

Ronnie, I liked your picture, too! Birds don't often cooperate and down south I think it's worse because we have all that Spanish Moss hanging from our trees. I certainly found that out yesterday when I was taking pictures. I love it, but it's in my way!

Interesting about the Doves. There's a platform feeder at MOSI they used to hang out in. We have plenty of Doves in the area, but when I think about it, I don't really see them here around the house. Maybe not the preferred habitat?

I did buy a feeder and some songbird mix seed! I want to get a taller Shepard's Hook to hang it on, though. I couldn't buy one today because I had my car, not Dad's truck. So I guess I'll just have to go back! I might need more potting mix, anyway; I'll see when I'm finished. I'll get you a picture of the feeder soon, but for now, I have actual bird photos!

So I was driving home from Lowe's and I know all the "hotspots" for birds. One is a ditch on the side of the road that I've shown you guys before. If you remember, I took a bunch of photos of apple snail shells and their eggs which were laid all over the grate of the drain. Well, that area dried up and hasn't been used much lately. It probably didn't help they mowed around it, too. Well, I guess the rain we got partly filled it up again. I looked over, and I saw a Limpkin! I was already in the turn lane, so I pulled into the little office complex there and parked the car so I could walk around. I imagine everyone on County Line Road wondered what I was doing, but I'm used to that by now. So here's the Limpkin! It's a little blurry because I stayed as far away as I could. I was afraid to scare it and there's not much cover on the side of the road.



I think I read somewhere that Limpkin's bills have a hook to one side at the end so they can scoop out their favorite food - apple snails! This bird got one! And then he flew off.

Ronnie, I love your warbler photos, they should be greeting cards and the photo through the screen is stunning!.

Margaret, awesome photos! I especially love the warbler. Beautiful little bird!

Our doves often sit on the cardinal feeder and pole feeders helping themselves to various seeds.They always make me laugh since they look so out of place on them.

We're all cross-posting! Love that Oriole, Carol! So pretty and bright. I bet it brings a little joy to your day when you see a bird like that. Glad the new camera is working out, too!

Carol, that hooded Oriole is really something. I had no idea there was a hooded oriole so I learned something new today.

Nice catch on the Limpkin Melanie.

ctcarol said:Playing with my new camera, I finally got a shot of a male Hooded Oriole on his feeder

Wow Carol, love the oriole! We still haven't been able to entice any over to our feeder.

Gosh..how big IS that snaile...that is quite a meal!

Rosie, Apple Snails are quite large. That bird was eating well tonight!

Are the apple snails imported or natives here?

Are those eaten by humans?

Becky, I was wondering that myself because I thought they were introduced, but then how would a Limpkin have evolved to have that hook on its beak to eat them? Turns out, we have a native Florida species, and three introduced species. Here's UF to tell you all about it: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/crea...

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed the photos.

Becky, Carole, Melanie, wonderful shots!!

Wonderful shots, everyone!

Wow! Great shots Margaret, Melanie, Carole & Becky!