Finally.....some birds from Henderson...

It has taken three separate trips to Henderson this year to find the Snow Geese and other migrants!  I was about to give up on finding some.  We went later in the day this time and they were beginning to gather in the corn and water to settle down for the evening.

A few of the Snow Geese in the corn.....one of the dark adults on the right. 

Lining up in the corn rows. 

 A line of the Greater White-fronted Geese in the front with the Snows in back.  A Mallard and a Shoveler in the foreground.  The geese always separate into groups by type.  They don't mix too much.  The Mallards swim around in the middle of everybody and don't seem to care.

A few in the air with a swan. 

The Tundra Swans were plentiful this year....at least 20.  They were hanging out with the Canada Geese at the other end of the field with some assorted ducks .  I saw a Pintail several times. 

This goose was hanging out all by itself at the edge of the water by the road where I was standing, so close-ups were possible. 

 Coming in for a landing.

We don't normally see swans around where we live, so it was wonderful to see so many. 

A mix of everything. 

Swans and ducks 

The White-fronts and the Snow Geese. 

Just to really top off the day, this adult Bald Eagle was sitting in a tree watching another field. Mike spotted a younger one, too chasing some of the ducks in a field, but it was too far away for a photo.

Always lovely to see!....and so willing to pose.  Do you think they know how majestic they look? 

On the way across town, we saw this Red-shouldered hawk on the wire.

*******

My back pain problem is finally going away....yeah!  Not gone completely, but hugely improved!  I hope to get out more in the future and take some photos.

Some of the yard birds.....

A few of our recent visitors at the home front.  Mike heard this hawk hit the glass doors.

 A young Sharp-shined, I believe.  Sat on the rail while it got its senses back.

 I'm always glad they aren't hurt, but it does give the chance for some photos.

 A very lovely hawk.

One of the squirrels eating some of the crab apples.

 The Carolina Wren has been around a lot lately.

 Mrs. Cardinal waiting in the bushes.

Mr. Cardinal in the crab apple tree.  There were probably a dozen Cardinals out there today at the feeders. 

 Downy male at the suet.

A pair of House Finches that looked pretty good.  No eye disease. 

 Red-bellied Woodpecker at the suet.

An adult Yellow-bellied Sapsucker showed up!  I think there were actually two out there at one point.  This is not the same immature one I saw a few weeks ago. 

I wish I could have gotten better photos of it's neck area.  I'm not sure I have seen the adult so well before.  I'm used to woodpeckers with red on the head but not on the throat. 

The Carolina Wren was back and looking cute. 

For a few who asked:  I am still fighting this back/disc pain, but some days are better than others and I am determined to ignore it the best I can and try to get out and about some to get some photos.  We want to head over to Henderson this week to look for the Snow Geese.  We've had a lot of dreary weather, but have a few days of sunshine coming up, so I don't want to miss the opportunity.

A few new photos....

We got a bit of snow....about 3 inches.  Nothing like out east!  But it brought plenty of birds to the feeders.  A few of these were taken the day before the snow.

 Our front yard the morning it snowed.  I had been out filling the feeders.

 Looks like the snow is Titmouse high :-)

 I've been seeing at least 3 Chickadees.....one of my favorite little birds.

 Mr and Mrs Cardinal on the rail  Lots of those around....half dozen pair for sure.

 Mr and Mrs Downy

The Red-bellied Woodpecker getting seeds from that feeder and then holds them against the tree to peck them open. 

Hummmmm....wonder who is behind that tail? 

All fluffed up to keep warm.

Saw this hawk down in Henderson a couple weeks ago, but not much else yet.  The geese should arrive soon I would think.