Birds and the birdwatcher.....

One day last week, I look outside and there were a pair of Mallards swimming on our lake.It was a beautiful fall day and I was pleased to see them.
I haven't seen them since, but maybe some more will stop by....especially now that the lake is full again.

"How did I get up here??"

(That's a very good question! Mouse decided to help watch the ducks. I have no idea how she got up on that rail considering her arthritic hips and "chubby" build.) This photo was before our 6" rain and the lake was low then and full of leaves.

"I wonder if there are any birds in that gourd?"
At least I can see how she got on this rail...by way of the glider.

"Maybe a short nap until the birds show up."

Mrs. Cardinal in the vine tree.

I got two shots before she realized I was watching her through the window.

Mr. C. having a few sunflower seeds.

A Junco digging through the leaves in hopes of something good.

A Song Sparrow helping. I kept hoping it would look up or turn sideways or some angle better than this one.

Rained most of today. Maybe some more birds tomorrow.

Downy and Chickadee.....

Two more of my favorite birds that come to the feeders......the Downy Woodpecker and the Chickadee. This photo intrigued me for two reasons: Look how it "stands" on its tail to help balance! And, where is its other foot??? There is another photo further down of the same Downy. I will have to watch for this now that I have noticed it in the photos. This female obviously has both feet.

And loves to sit on the branch and eat the suet.

"Who me? It's good stuff!"

They like to drink from those green ant guard cups and if I hang one near an upright branch, they will sneak up the branch and get a drink.

Here is "one leg" again......is that dark spot a space where the other foot should be? Poor thing. I will have to make sure I have plenty of easy food for it, although it seems to be getting around fine.

Chickadee.......fat and cute :-)

"I think I can reach this if I stretch a bit"

Just posing....briefly.

I'll keep an eye out for that Downy and try to determine if it is definitely a one legged one.

Carolina Wren.....

The Carolina Wren is a busy little bird.....here, there and everywhere. It likes the suet and will check out all of the suet cakes.

Notice the tail stuck out for balance

He checks every feeder. He doesn't eat sunflower seeds and I don't buy much else, but he does peck at the peanuts that I have been sprinkling in the dish for the Titmice and Chickadees.

When he is on the ground, he hops around so fast that usually just about the time the camera focuses, he has moved to a new spot.

Back to the suet....back and forth, back and forth....busy at all times. It can hang on to just about any surface. I wish I had a shot of when it perches on the edge or side of the garage somewhere. Like the nuthatches, titmice, chickadees, and downys, it doesn't seem to mind whether it is right side up or sideways or upside down.

The Wren glare. They look funny from straight on.

"Hmmmm...guess this is the best stuff she has to offer me."

Back down in the leaves where it blends in so well.

Happy Thanksgiving a little early.....

I'll be busy with company the next few days, so I will wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving now! I'm thankful for all of my blogging friends and I'm thankful for all the beauty of nature that draws us together as we photograph it. I'm thankful for this Carolina Wren and hope to help feed it all winter.

I'm thankful for the Downy's.....daily visitors that keep me smiling.

"Don't forget me!"

Yes, I am thankful for the Goldfinches, too :-)

This was my Crab Apple tree early last week....full of leaves and apples.

A couple of days later....the leaves are all on the ground, but it is still loaded with apples which I hope the Robins and Waxwings will come eat.

It has an exceptionally large crop this year...would hate to see them go to waste. So, all you birds out there......come and get it!

May God bless all of you and your families with all that you need this day and always. He is faithful to provide for us and we thank him with grateful hearts!

Sharing the big suet cake.....

Sometimes the birds will share the big suet cake....... .....especially the Downy and the White-Breasted Nuthatch.
The Downy will come up the tree and eat underneath and the Nuthatch will come down the tree and eat at the top.

Many times I won't know there is a Nuthatch out there until another bird comes to this suet cake. Then all of the sudden the Nuthatch appears out of the upper branches working its way down to chase the intruders away if possible....or share when they can't :-)

White-Breasted Nuthatches are very pretty and entertaining, like all of the nuthatches. Seems like they spend more time "walking" than flying.

Going up and going down!

Two Nuthatches! Yeah!

How many House Finches will fit on one feeder?.....

.....apparently at least 5!

I had a small flock of House Finches show up the other day and they were all so pretty and mostly males.
"Is there room for me?????"

"I was here first....go away!"

Of course with this many males, a few squabbles will break out.

A ring of finches

Their color was a nice deep red and they all had clean looking eyes.
House Finches are prone to an eye disease at times.

"Here....do you want this seed?"

"What?????......do you ever turn that camera off??

(Who pays for the seeds you are stuffing your face with?)

"OK....how's this....should I smile?"

A female who didn't mind my camera.

"What do you mean, my table manners are disgusting?"

"I can lean out further than you can!"

"Why did she put those peanuts on top of these great sunflower seeds??"

"I am pretty....oh, so pretty....."

It's all in the attitude.