As most of you know, I love birds. And I believe most of you do as well. Winter is a great time to view birds! They are easily seen flitting about looking for a meal on the ground or at the feeder. The trees are bare now, so it's a great time to see them there! Grayden and I are back to our walks and saw this menacing red-shouldered hawk in a tree looking for a meal. His meals are usually my birds! Yes, I consider them mine, unless they are at a neighbor's feeder!
As a mighty hunter, he has no mercy on what he captures. I unfortunately have seen him pick up an unsuspecting squirrel!
Watch out Sammy!
The birds love to eat the suet we hang each winter. Grayden covers the suet in cayenne pepper to keep the squirrels from devouring the whole cake in a day. This male downy woodpecker is getting his meal with no problems.
This little purple finch is enjoying the new feeder that was a gift from our son. It holds an enormous amount of seed, so we don't have to refill often.
It's so much fun to watch these little birds as they move about during the day searching for food at the feeder or on the ground.
The Junco or snow bird tends to be a ground feeder as well. Are we going to get the snow that has been predicted, little one?
And then we get a big thrill every afternoon when the big boy comes to visit. Last year he or one of his friends came with their mate. This year he's been alone. Until....Yesterday!
At first we thought it was a male and female. Then when we realized it was two males and things started to get interesting.
These two males followed each other around, and around, and around the tree for well over thirty minutes. Each one not allowing the other to eat from the suet feeder. It was so funny, but sad as well.
As soon as one would get close, the other would get him away from the feeder.
The female red bellied woodpecker is wondering why in the world these two males can't share! Nature never ceases to amaze me! I hope you are able to find JOY as you view nature and all that it entails.
" As long as you have a window, life is exciting. " Gladys Taber
" As long as you have a window, life is exciting. " Gladys Taber
Wonderful photos, a fellow bird lover here. I even love the hawks, each of their own beauty but nature can be very cruel as well. I love cats, too, but don't let me find them around my feeders!
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
I'm always thrilled when I see hawks, Deb. The balance of nature is so important. It's nice now that most folks don't allow their cats outdoors, but if they do they put a bell on their collars to alert the birds! Stay warm and cozy, my friend. xoxo ♥
DeleteWatching the birds is one of my favourite pastimes, I didn't know that the Junco was also called snow bird!Your pictures are lovely. We had a Hawk get one of our mourning doves, I understand nature but I wish the Hawks didn't visit our yard!! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, thank you for visiting! If we observe nature for very long, we will see how harsh it can be. Sorry to hear about your mourning dove. Whenever we see a bunch of feathers we know something bad happened. At least that's what I think. But I know it's the way of nature however sad. Have a nice evening. ♥
DeleteYour header is so pretty! Does that cayenne pepper tip really work? That would be so cool! You have a nice variety of birds visiting your feeder. Those crazy woodpeckers...
ReplyDeleteOh yes Vee, it does work! Squirrels are not harmed by the cayenne pepper, but really don't like it! It doesn't bother birds either. Our squirrels do learn to stay away from the suet. I also use it in the spring, sprinkled around pots of flowers to keep the little rascals out. Be very careful when using it so as not to get it in your eyes! ♥
DeleteThank you! Very good to know.
DeleteIt was fun to read this post about all the birds and especially those amazing woody woodpeckers!! We were just at Coastal Farm & Feed, picking up a new bird feeder and seed. So.. GMTA!! Enjoy your Sunday. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you feed the birds and enjoy them, Teresa. The pileated woodpeckers are always astounding to see. Hope you see some great birds at your new feeder. ♥
DeleteMartha, we took down our bird feeder years ago because our yard was dominated by a big blue jay that would shoo away all the other birds and devour all the seed. I still see blue jays here all the time, so I don't foresee ever putting up another bird feeder. But we still get a lot of small brown birds stopping in. I have no idea what they're called. Love your photos and your knowledge about birds.
ReplyDeleteBlue Jays can be quite aggressive, Jean as you know. That's too bad what happened in your yard. We have them as well, but not ones that attempt those shenanigans! I had a friend tell me about her blue jays chasing off a Coopers hawk around her feeders. Maybe you can try again. ♥
DeleteQuite a show those woodpeckers put on for you! Hopefully, one of the males relocated and is getting his fill in a neighbor's yard. I had never heard the cayenne pepper trick! Are birds not affected by spice?
ReplyDeleteWe had far more birds when we lived in the country. Here in town, we don't see as many. Perhaps we don't feed them as well . . . perhaps we don't have the plants that they love? We do have a hawk in the neighborhood. I'm not too happy about that because I enjoy the squirrels. I know it's nature, but I don't like that part. Sigh.
I like that they are "your birds"! :)
Cheryl, birds are not affected by cayenne pepper, but mammals are for sure! As I mentioned to Vee, be careful if you try this trick! If you feed the birds, I'm sure they will come. Sometimes it takes a while for them to discover your generosity! Of course, they do like shrubbery for cover or a nearby tree. I'm with you on the harshness of nature! ♥
DeleteWe have a "woody woodpecker" that visits our woods, too, from time to time. Quite a sight! We've also had a huge hawk sit on our deck that could easily carry our cat away if we let her outside. Beautiful animal, but definitely intimidating.
ReplyDeleteI remember your hawk photos, Cathy. No, don't let Poetry outdoors! ♥
DeleteI love to watch the birds too. We have our feeder station set up so we can view it easily from the kitchen table where I enjoy watching them each morning. Woodpeckers are fun to watch. I feel good keeping suet out for them to help them. During one of the toughest winters a few years back we had a red-tailed hawk visiting. He was ready to pick off the birds at the feeders. I never saw him actually get one but I don’t doubt he did. I wanted to chase. Him off but I recognize it’s just a natural progression of wildlife. I hope you don’t get too much snow! I’m presently watching the weather channel to see what’s been going on along the East coast. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteLiz, my sister does chase hawks away around her home. She is quite the animal lover and feels they can find food another place.
DeleteGrayden was out this morning and measured 5.5 inches of snow on the ground. It has slowed down quite a bit--a very fine snow falling presently. We're staying inside and I have a pot of chicken soup simmering on the stove. Have a nice Sunday. ♥
Great phots of these birds, I so love watching ours as well. We had an ice storm this weekend so we were sure to keep seed and suet filled for them. We get a lot of cardinals, blue birds and woodpeckers too. I love sitting in my sunroom and watching them. The squirrels think we put the feed out for them of course, lol. I love Gladys Taber and that is one of my favorite quotes. Have you read her books? Enjoy your evening and I hope your week gets off to a great start.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
Jill, watching our birds is a favorite of mine. Since it snowed all day it's been fun watching them. We have a room with eleven windows that gives us great viewing of our feeders. We gifted each other the pole system from Wild Birds Unlimited with a baffle and the squirrels can't access the feeder. I love them, too, but they can eat you out of house and home!
DeleteI love Gladys Taber and have read many of her books. Her homey style is right up my alley. Have a wonderful week ahead! ♥
Sweet Friend,
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed lingering over your amazing photos this cozy evening.
We have had some woodpeckers in our backyard, and Flynn has enjoyed learning about them.
I will be sure to show her these amazing and beautiful photos!
Have a cozy week!
Billie Jo, the woodpeckers have been frequent visitors this winter. It's nice to hear that Flynn enjoys learning about them. Have a lovely week. ♥
DeleteWhat a wonderful variety of birds you have to your garden. I wouldn't get anything done living there as I would constantly be watching out the windows. What a delight to have your very own bird show.
ReplyDeleteEvery season brings another variety of birds around here, Lorraine. I can't help but stop what I'm doing and view the antics in the garden. It's always interesting. Have a lovely week! ♥
DeleteI love the woodpeckers and enjoy watching them. You have some nice captures here and I haven't seen a female woodpecker before and good to see one up close. Happy Monday and stay warm
ReplyDeleteBetsy
Betsy, I think we all love watching birds. There is a lot to learn right outside our windows! Today we're watching the snow covered ground and are happy that the bird feeders are full! Stay warm and cozy in our winter wonderland. ♥
DeleteThose Woodpeckers are incredible and fun to watch, Martha Ellen. You got some good pictures of them. Your post had me smiling the whole time, as you know how much I love the birds. Your new feeder is so cool. That copper design at the top is pretty. Oh my, to see the Hawk pick up a squirrel like that must have been a disturbing sight for you. I was wondering, does the Woodpecker have trouble eating the suet with the pepper? Thank you this lovely post today, Martha Ellen. It really made my day, and I will come back to see it again. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri, you would have enjoyed these two Pileated woodpeckers. They were the funniest things, but sad to have had such a stand off! Cayenne pepper does not bother birds. You can buy bird seed (very expensive) that has it in it. It does bother mammals such as squirrels! They learn to stay away from it!
DeleteNature is quite cruel if we pay attention. Yes, it did bother me a lot to see that hawk pick up the squirrel!
Have a great week, my friend. ♥
So lovely to see these birds, and I agree with the quote,
ReplyDelete" As long as you have a window, life is exciting. " Gladys Taber
All the best Jan
Jan this quote of Gladys Taber's rings so true, doesn't it? Have a great day! ♥
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