photography

Category

By Busy Pine Warbler
My friend and I had spent the morning at Jordan Lake watching eagles, gulls, crows and killdeer.
We were all packed up and getting ready to head out when my friend noticed a tiny bird being busy in the grass.
Nothing to do but I took out my iPhone and started to quietly walk in on the pine warbler.
The little bird tolerated us and so I slowly, gently walked forward.
There followed several minutes of joy on my part and a studied indifference on the bird’s part.
I hope you enjoy the short video.

By JL Eagle Nest reports January 09, 2018
First Nest
No photo today, but wanted you to know that Kate is on the nest and Petruchio is helping.
They got through all the wind chill and ice just fine.
 
H&G Nest
Both Hershey and Godiva got through the frozen weather without any problems.
This is Godiva as she flew past carrying a large clump of pine straw and other soft materials for the lining of her nest.
She and Hershey had been in the nest together earlier in the morning.

By BIGGEST and SMALLEST (for the season) birds at Jordan Lake
First Nest
In the photo below Petruchio is eyeing another stick for the nest.
The stick was actually a good sized branch (about 4 feet long) that he snagged but dropped.
The branch was so big I could hear it crashing through the trees below it; but I couldn’t follow the fall with my camera.
 
 
 
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Is smaller than a chickadee and barely bigger than a hummingbird.
The kinglets (golden-crowned and ruby-crowned) are only here for the winter.
The bright yellow streak is an alert patch that all kinglets have,
When they are excited they flip the patch upwards – the cold air helped make the patch really noticeable!

By Bird ALERT!
WATER is THE Critical Nutrient, especially in this FRIGID weather.
 
Dehydration, the lack of water, kills quicker than starvation.
 
Help your visitors to your yard and farms.
 
Make sure there is free-flowing water available.
 
Here is my front yard, just before I added water to the containers this morning, maybe it will give you some ideas:
My bowls are on the ground, on dark mats (to help absorb what sun gets to them).
I only half fill the bowls twice a day – makes it easier for me to flip out the ice chunks.
Those ice chunks on the grass are from late yesterday afternoon.
I use cold tap water: hot water actually freezes faster than cold water!
The “bowls” are metal pans, clay bowls and ceramic ones – different birds like different styles.
Once the water is drinkable, twice a day, then also check your feeders to make sure the seeds are flowing and the suet is accessible.
BTW the above advice about water goes for dogs, cats, horses and, of course humans.  Let’s help all we can.