Day 358 - Frigid foraging

These little guys had their feathers all puffed up against the cold as they searched for some leftover munchies among the leaves.

Day 322 - Backyard beasties

For this week's animal, vegetable, or mineral theme, our resident critters were very accomodating.

In addition to the normal squirrel and blue jay activity, a couple of occasional visitors showed up...

the little guy on the left is a downy woodpecker,

and this red-headed beauty is... are you ready??... a red-BELLIED woodpecker. Go figure, huh?

Lew captured some great bird shots on Lew's Pics.

Day 266 - In the catbird seat...

... the bird, that is. The hummer definitely has the upper hand here with a sturdy glass door between it eating or the cat eating it!

Day 258 - Humming along

I haven't been terribly creative this week so it's a good thing I have cats and visits from my trusty little hummer to fall back on.

The little guy (gal?) showed up 4 times within an hour today! I think it may be getting ready for its flight south.

Day 230 - Return visitor

We took the boys back yesterday, so I spent the day missing them and being lazy and unmotivated. My tiny visitor, who has been showing up regularly at least once or twice each day, didn't disappoint so I only had to grab my camera and click for today's photo.

Day 210 - Birds of a feather...

... flock together. Apparently someone called the meeting to order and they all congregated on the fence at the appointed time. ;)

Day 209 - Out and about

Packing boys, bikes and beverages into the van, we went on an outing to Carroll Creek Park and the extraordinary Community Bridge. Then we moseyed on over to Baker Park where the boys could ride and check out the bird population.

Carroll Creek Park, looking toward the Community Bridge

Michael getting ready for a ride around the lake -
Christopher was already on his way.

Strolling amidst the people-friendly ducks and geese.

We spotted this newcomer, some type of sandpiper, we think,
who definitely stood out from the other birds.

It turned out to be a most pleasant day!

Day 197 - From one end to the other

Usually there's a cat laying on this piece of family room furniture...

BONUS PHOTO:
My tiny visitor has returned several times since my first picture, and today I managed a few more shots. I just got it in my viewfinder and kept clicking! Had to delete about half of them - all blurry - but these turned out well. It's really exciting to be able to take pictures of this fascinating, non-stop little creature. :)

Day 191 - Jaybird

At a loss for a photo for today, this feathered pretty did me a favor when it landed on the bench, right in my line of sight. As luck would have it, it was the blue one instead of the red one. What could I do? Just had to take the picture, right? ;)

Day 185 - Teensy-weensy visitor

Look, look!! Look what I caught with my camera! Oh my gosh, I was soooo excited! I was sitting at my desk when I saw this little bits and quick got some shots through the patio door. This was the best one, glare and all.

Day 182 - Free as a bird

There really is a bird in this photo!

Nothing says freedom like a grandly soaring hawk. I was only able to get one shot of this one looking for something to eat in the wheat field before it disappeared. It's not the best shot, and I actually thought I'd missed it, but when I looked at it on the computer, there it was. It's a little hard to see against the green in the first photo, but I cropped it a good bit to give a better view in the second.

Day 174 - Blurry birdy

*sigh* Well, it's certainly not one of my better efforts - a spur of the minute shot just to get it done - as good as it gets for today.

Day 134 - Welcome visitor

Recently, we've been getting a daily visit from at least one cardinal. Usually the missus is with him, and sometimes even another male or a sparrow or two.

Everyday at about lunch time and again later in the day, they flit onto the patio, peck and scrounge around for a bit and then fly off.

Not sure what it is they're finding or looking for, but often he and/or she comes right up to the patio door to take a peek. Any day now, I'm expecting a tap on the glass for a handout!

Day 122 - Jay Cafe

While finishing preparations in the kitchen for my siblings arrival tomorrow, I caught a glimpse of bright blue out of the corner of my eye. Grabbing my camera, I caught this blue jay going to town on an acorn (that's an oak tree behind it.)
If you look closely to the left, you can see part of the squirrel that interrupted its meal and made it fly away.

Day 27 - Mr & Mrs

The cardinals have been coming to nibble on the seed bells we hung and every time I try to get a picture, they fly off. I finally lucked out today when the Mr. & Mrs. opted for some acorns on the deck. Not as focused as I'd like but not too bad considering I took them quick through Lew's office window.)

Day #287 - Birdie berries...

As I looked out the window this morning, I noticed gobs of birds almost fighting to get into the dogwood tree. Now I know why. It's absolutely covered in these juicy red berries... I've never seen it with so many. Our feathered friends are feasting!

Day #168 - Big Bird...

They grow 'em big here in the fields of Maryland. Caught this monster taking a leisurely dip today. The beast could eat my cat with no problem!

Day #136 - Polly want a cracker?...

Ta da! I finally got a good picture of a bird, Stacy! LOL! ;) This noisy little guy is one of several who live at one of the nurseries we frequent. He posed pretty for me - in between screeching like a siren for his dinner! - this evening while we were picking up more annuals for the garden.

Day #119 - Here birdie, birdie, birdie...

It's time to pull the garden accents out of storage and clearly this little one has seen better days. The elements have taken their toll but a thorough cleaning and some cosmetic touch-up might make it a more inviting basin to take a dip in.

Day #117 - Under Construction...

That's not trash...

that's building material!

This is an ongoing project by one of our fine feathered friends, who can't seem to make up his/her mind whether a nest on our porch light is really the best location. Haven't seen the critter itself, but it sure is making a mess in the process of building a cozy little egg drop.

I dunno, seems to me one of the many nearby trees might be a bettter choice, but what do I know - I don't have a bird's brain (that's not up for debate!)