Yesterday, while sitting at the computer, I glanced out the window and saw a Cooper's hawk on my patio swing! I had been tossing bird seed on the patio so the birds would come closer and entertain the cat, the dog and the Robin ;) that resides here. We've had quite a few dark-eyed juncos, sparrows and mourning doves eating the seeds from the patio, I guess the Cooper's hawk saw an easy target.
Anyway, I grabbed my camera and before I could get to the window it flew to one of my maple trees. I was so disappointed to have it that close and not get a picture. At least I was able to get one picture through a screened window before it quickly took off.
I spotted the woodpecker at a distance a couple of times today. Now that the snow has melted, the mourning doves and dark-eyed juncos are not as plentiful.
I checked out a few, (eight to be exact), bird books from the library and I've enjoyed reading and learning more about the birds of the Midwest, their dietary habits and the plants to add that will attract them to my backyard.
I bought some cheap peanut butter and spread a little on one of the trees the downy is frequenting. I also made a mixture of peanut butter, Crisco, corn meal, raisins, millet, sunflower seed butter, and shelled safflower seeds. I didn't follow a recipe, I just mixed up what I had on hand and kept adding things to get the consistency I wanted. Hopefully, it will attract a few more birds.
9 comments:
Good picture even tho it was through a screen. It sounds like you are attracting lots of good birds.
It is amazing how many more birds frequent the feeders when it is snowy. We can always count on something unusual if we get snow.
Love the Coop photo Robin! :c) They are such cool raptors. I like your new format too. ;c)
Robin, your new look looks really good! On the laptop, too! I need to do something with my template, but am afraid of messing it up and also afraid of what it might do to past posts, with the photo positions.
wonderful photo of the coopers hawk and looks like you captured a stunning shot for sure! They always seem to fly away before I can get outside with my camera! BRAVO
Lisa, I'm sort of looking forward to the weekend snow, just to see what shows up. Since the snow melted I haven't seen much activity at all, other than those stinking sparrows.
Thank you, Jayne.
Kylee, thanks so much for checking that for me. I was concerned that it might be too big for smaller screens.
Mon@rch, thank you! I sure wish I could have got a picture of him on the swing though, he was so close.
It looks like that Cooper hawk is going to be a regular visitor at your place Robin.
Like you I like to come up with nice goodies for the birds to feed on. Our feathered friends really need our help to get through the winter!
Hello Robin.
Just keep watching and you will get more opportunities to photo the Cooper Hawk. When they find a spot for a meal, they will remember. I have had one visit at my house going on two years. It is fun to watch chasing the sparrows, but it did get two of our bluebird fledglings this year.
Great photos, Robin! Your birds will come, believe me. I added feeders 11 months ago and at that time I didn't think I'd ever see the variety of birds I have now. You'll see more every day!
My first visit to this site - your bird photography is great - lovely to see all the different birds you get in your neck of the woods that we never see here.... The birds in France are eating loads at the moment from our bird tables - we've just started on the cold weather - wondering what might come next!!
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