Sunday, January 25, 2009

Deck birding at the Aerie.

The thermometer dropped as low as 1.9 degrees at 6:15 AM and crept "up" to just 14 degrees this afternoon. While the day started appropriately sunny, it has clouded up considerably which probably means the overnight temperature will not fall as far as it did last night.

With the low temperatures, we had a slew of birds at the feeders today and a few tree rats as well. It was easy to count the squirrels (a maximum of 7 at one time) but not so easy to tally the birds! At times the ground and the feeders loked like they were covered in a swarming mass of feathered critters. Dozens and dozens of Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, Purple Finches and Dark-eyed Juncos depleted the thistle feeder and the many sunflower feeders while simultaneously covering the ground in search of any spillage.

I managed to grab the camera and get some pretty nice shots out the front window at the deck feeding tray.


A Pine Siskin and a Purple Finch share access to the sunflower seeds while an American Goldfinch helps himself in the background.


Another view of a Purple Finch with his very spikey hair style.


A colorful male Northern Cardinal stops by to pick up some sunflower seeds.


The Blue Jays barged in and helped themselves.


A Red-bellied Woodpecker dominates the seed tray and goes off to hide his booty before returning for more. Again and again and again.... It was the dominant bird chasing even the Blue Jays away while it selected from the tray.


5 comments:

Richard said...

Great bird shots. Really like the male Purple Finch one. Looks like a bad hair day for him.

JDP said...

Great photos Joated, glad to know the Blue Jay got put in his place by old Woodie Woodpecker. Now maybe a hawk will swoop down and show them all who is boss!

JDP

Cassie said...

What terrific bird pictures. Thanks. Seeing all the beautiful birds at your feeder must be a thrill. There must be some pretty birds here, but I haven't seen any.:>( Our condo here in Phx doesn't allow us to feed the birds.An occasional road runner has been spotted, but nothing as pretty as your purple birdies.

JihadGene said...

Loved the pictures!!! I have to put out more seed myself, now. Thanks for reminding me!

gregor said...

Great shots, as always. The expression of that Cardinal reminds me of the Muppet, Beaker.