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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Positively Birds, Birds, and More Birds

by Mauverneen






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







Cedar Waxwing



Downey Woodpecker - I nicknamed him Robert...



Goldfinch



Pair of Juncos in Winter




Redwing Blackbird

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.


Ruby Throated Hummingbird















A pair of Cardinals - Jose and Claudia (get it?)



Male and female Cowbird


Female and male Towhee











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.

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.
                                       However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!


  Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com
 
                                                         and visit my website: http://mauverneen.com

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