Did you know there are 20 different types of sparrows? 20. We pretty much take them for granted since they are so common, so I was surprised to find out this fact. 20 different sparrows. I never paid that much attention to sparrows, but once I started looking I am beginning to notice some differences.
Since I sit and watch birds a lot I thought I might just start taking pictures of sparrows to see how many different types turn up in my area. Then I got to making a mental list of all the different birds I have seen in my backyard. It surprised me. I am not counting the occasional duck, errant seagull, geese heading south or heron that flies across my airspace but birds that I have seen and have stayed at least long enough for me to take a photo.
Maybe the fact that I have been buying a better quality birdseed has something to do with it, I don't know, but I have seen a couple of new species of bird here this year. And like any birder, spotting a new one to add to my list is exciting.
My morning routine generally consists of walking the dog, making the coffee, filling the bird feeders and then spending some time drinking that coffee and watching the birds come to the feeders. How long I spend bird watching usually depends on how much else I have to do that day. Some days I barely get the seed out there and the coffee gulped and I am on my way. On other days, the best ones, I pull up a chair and Bailey and I soak up the sun or revel in the cool morning air. Occasionally, I set up my camera and tripod.
So, here is my list of birds seen in my own yard, and here are some of my photos. Grab that cup of coffee and join me.
Sparrow Blue Jay
Cardinal Junco
Chickadee Wren
Gold Finch House Finch
Red Wing Blackbird Cowbird
Nuthatch Red Bellied Woodpecker
Downey Woodpecker Indigo Bunting
Eastern Bluebird Towhee
Oriole Cedar Waxwing
Crow Hawk
Mourning Dove Robin
Ruby Throated Hummingbird Turkey Vulture
Rose Breasted Grosbeak Flycatcher
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| Cedar Waxwing |
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| Downey Woodpecker - I nicknamed him Robert... |
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| Goldfinch |
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| Pair of Juncos in Winter |
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| Redwing Blackbird |
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| This little wren built a nest inside an old clothes pole. She divebombed anyone who got too close and actually pecked me on the head one time. |
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| Ruby Throated Hummingbird |
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| A pair of Cardinals - Jose and Claudia (get it?) |
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| Male and female Cowbird |
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| Female and male Towhee |
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| I put out an orange half, hoping to attract the Orioles. I did, but the Woodpecker waiting patiently is tearing up that orange way more often. |
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| Turkey Vulture: Pretty up in the air, not so handsome up close As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.
See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html
and visit my website: http://mauverneen.com |
