We had our first snowfall overnight and I'd say we're off to a pretty good start for winter with about 3-4 inches here in Noblesville. I noticed that there was a lot of bird activity first thing this morning and the bird feeders were almost empty. I quickly changed out of my warm fleece pajamas, got dressed, put on my snow boots and braved the wind and snow to get the feeders filled up. It wasn't too long before several surprise visitors showed up on this snowy day.
During the winter, there's nothing prettier to me than a male cardinal in the snow. I was so delighted when I spotted this one in my neighbor's shrubs this morning. I jumped up and ran for the camera. Then I spotted the female at my feeder. I rarely ever see cardinals here, so this just made my day! I wish I could have gotten closer or either had a better zoom lens.
Birds were everywhere this morning, I wanted to get them closer to the house, so I threw some bird seed on the patio and poured some into the nearby planters.
It worked! They were all over the patio, in the planters and on the patio wall.
Remember that bird I couldn't identify a few weeks ago? Several people informed me that it was a starling. Shirl from Shirl's Garden Watch said, "They are very socialable birds and we seldom see only one arriving at the feeders here - they usually take over and fight amongst themsleves too. Perhaps it will bring back friends the next time or maybe it is completely lost and quite lonely :-("
Well, Shirl, it came back and brought its friends today.
The dark-eyed juncos were all over the place today too. They came right up to the patio door and didn't seem to be bothered when I opened the door to get a few pictures.
Libby, (the kitty), has spent the whole day right in front of the patio doors and Lilly, (our golden), enjoyed the entertainment too.
13 comments:
BEAUTIFUL photographs, Robin! I'm so jealous that you have snow and such lovely birds to photograph.
Wow, you got a lot of snow, Robin- and it makes the birds show up really well. My mom has a little card with a poem The Cardinal in Winter stuck up on her curio shelf - we get them here and love them, but they do look even lovelier where snow falls.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Beautiful pictures: I like the cardinal, it is really a beautiful bird.
When I arrived at the last photo, I was in a mood for a hot chocolate, and to sit down with the kitty and the dog to watch the birds!
Great pictures Robin. I especially like the first Mourning Dove. You caught some of the iredescence on its neck and the blue eyering. I know they are common as an old shoe but they are beautiful birds if you stop and truly look at them.
I know that Starling are also pests to most people but I think they are quite handsome in their winter plummage. I also think they send out scouts to find food sources. Your group had a good scout.
With all your bird activity you will probably have a Cooper's Hawk show up.
Oh that Cardinal is just so gorgeous, Robin. It's our state bird here you know. We have lots of them around the neighborhood because they like to nest in evergreens.
Pam @ Digging says:
Great bird shots, Robin. The snow cover really makes them stand out, doesn't it?
Hi there, Robin :-)
Yep, I had a feeling your Starling would return with company! It looks like young birds perhaps it their first winter. I have a photo of a mature starling on a bird count post I did in May. Unfortunately their presence can sometimes scare off the smaller birds.
I love the cardinals they look so striking in the snow! I do hope the starlings don’t put them off coming to your garden. I have noticed though that they do invade the garden in groups causing frenzy at the feeders and then all leave just as quickly. They also have good memories and seriously love fatcakes!!
Great photos of the birds feeding in the snow. I look forward to seeing many more :-D
Even though you didn't get a close up of the cardinal, it is still a neat pic. I'm lucky that we have a pair of nesting cardinals that hang around here all year. I like the females as much as the males, with their subtle coloring showing off their orange beaks. I just love the little juncos. We always have lots of them & chickadees hanging out in the evergreens. It's pointless for me to put out any bird feeders, as my next-door neighbors have been feeding the birds since b4 I moved here. The birds are used to going there for food. The time I tried to put up feeders all I got was squirrels. So the birds feed at the neighbor's & roost here.
Your bird photos are so pretty. I too enjoy them in the snow.
The Cardinals are outstandingly beautiful! I love the Doves. I have made peace with the Starlings but only allow a few at a time at the feeders. They run off the song birds and that is not acceptable!
Beautiful photos!
Sherry
Patricia, thank you. I'll swap places with you if you'd like snow for a while. Some warm sunshine would feel really nice about now.
Annie, we're expecting even more tonight. Looks like we may be in for it this winter.
Verobirdie, I sit at the table close by with coffee. I love watching the birds, they are so entertaining.
Lisa, thanks. They are so common, that I've never even noticed how beautiful they are. I was shocked when I saw it on the computer. And, Lisa, you were exactly right about the Coopers Hawk. He was here today. You are so smart!
I love the cardinals, Carolyn Gail, lucky you that you have so many. I hope more will come once our neighborhood is more established.
Pam, I thought they would have all gone down south by now. I'm glad to still have some here because they do stand out in the snow.
Hi Shirl, you were right about the starlings. Hopefully they won't get too bad. I'd hate to see them run off the other birds. The juncos are feisty enough they don't back down, and the sparrows, well to me they're just as bad as the starlings.
Mr. McGreggor's Daughter: Maybe you could find out what kind of food your neighbors put out and you can have something different. YE at Bliss has peanuts. At least they roost at your place.
Hi Sherry, thank you for the comment and for stopping by.
You take the most gorgeous bird photos I've ever seen. Just fabulous!
I'm surprised you don't see more cardinals, though. It is your state bird, and ours. We see (and hear) lots of them year round.
Your shots are very nice and I especially like the ones with multiple birds and activity. I have starlings also and love to photograph them because of their beautiful markings. Although they're aggressive there is one bird that will take on multiple starling for a place at the feeder and that is the Red-bellied Woodpecker.
I stumbled across your blog by "accident". I love your photos. You are very gifted. I will check back often. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world!
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