November 27, 2013

One from the Past, Several from the Present

Back in the summer of 2002, our family camped out at the Chippokes Plantation State Park (across the James River from Jamestown, VA). As we left the campground on our last day, we thought it would be fun for us to use the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. It was a glories day for the ride, and we had many friendly Seagulls as passengers for the whole ride.

Seagulls on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, summer 2002

Seagulls on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (18-Jun-02; © Richard L. Bowman)

Returning to current observations of birds in our backyard, here a Junco who has returned to or recently found our home.

Junco

Junco (17-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

A female House Sparrow dances in the Ash tree in our backyard.

female House Sparrow in a tree (I)

Female House Sparrow (I) (12-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

female House Sparrow in a tree (II)

Female House Sparrow (II) (12-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

female House Sparrow in a tree (III)

Female House Sparrow (III) (12-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

We have had a snow shower this morning, so maybe winter and more birds in our backyard are both coming.

November 17, 2013

Birds at Rest and More

Depending upon the angle at which the photo is taken, it is a bit difficult to tell a female House Finch from a female House Sparrow. However, until someone tells me better, I guessing that this is a female House Finch.

female House Sparrow in tree

Female House Sparrow (15-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

I'm pretty sure that I will see our male Cardinal better than this photo shows, but it was my first sighting this fall. So I had to show it to all.

male Cardinal hindden in a tree

Male Cardinal (15-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

A female House Finch perched on top of the shepherd's crook from which our bird feeders are hanging.

female House Finch

Female House Finch (11-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

Another visitor that I have barely caught in my lens is the Blue Jay. I'm sure I'll see more of him or her as the fall turns into winter.

Blue Jay at feeder

A Blue Jay Returns to Our Feeder (14-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

For some reason the Mourning Doves either want to be on the ground under our feeders or on the electrical wire that runs across the backyard. Here it is with the morning Sun shining on its front side.

Mourning Dove in morning sunlight on wire

Mourning Dove in Morning Sunlight (14-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

Soaring birds are usually too fast for me to capture in a photo, so I am glad I got this one. But is this a Black Vulture or a Turkey Vulture? Since its wings are not markedly into a strong V along their leading edge, my guess is that it is a Black Vulture.

Black Vulture (?) soaring

Black Vulture Soaring (12-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

Hey you bird enthusiasts out there, please let me know that I am wrong or correct on these identifications.

November 12, 2013

Birds in Trees and at the Feeder

The Mourning Dove shown below was captured warming itself by fluffing its feathers two days ago on a cool morning.

a cold Mourning Dove stays warm in a tree

A Cold Mourning Dove Stays Warm (10-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

The female House Sparrow below had turned its back to me in the tree next to the one hosting the Mourning Dove.

female House Sparrow in a tree

Female House Sparrow (10-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

And the next day there were a female and a male House Finch observing their environment as they eat at the bird feeder.

female and male House Finches

Female and Male House Finches on the Feeder (10-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

There are always more antics to watch!

November 7, 2013

Birds Feed in Different Ways

Two days ago, I took a short video of the birds flitting and eating at our feeders. Below is one still shot taken from the video.

birds flyting in and eating at the feeder

Birds Flying in and Eating at the Bird Feeder (5-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

The video can be watched in two different formats.

Fall Feeding Time (wmv, 1.94 MB)
Fall Feeding Time (mp4, 1.71 MB)

The three photos below caught more ways that birds eat this fall.

on watch on the ground while eating

Female House Sparrow on the Ground Looking Around while Eating (3-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

on the feeder delving into the bird seeds

Female House Sparrows on the Feeder (5-Nov-13; © Richard L. Bowman)

a Mourning Dove falling asleep while grazing

Always more to observe in the world around us!

November 3, 2013

More Variety in Birds--Types, Poses and Locales (II)

I'll show several more photos in this collect-all category. I hope you enjoy them.

a female House Sparrow

Below a Squirrel poses in our backyard--looking around for danger?

a squirrel

Continuing my posting of photos that were not taken at our bird feeders, here is a female House Sparrow in a tree in our backyard.

Seems like I cannot do a weekly posting without including a Mourning Dove.

another Mourning Dove on the ground

And below is a photo of two Mourning Doves in a tree. I have seen them on the ground on electrical wires, but this is the first time I actually captured them in a tree.

two Mourning Doves in a tree

For me with my eyesight handicap, it always difficult to capture a bird in a tree, but as leaves fall, it has become a bit easier. And here is a female House Sparrow in a tree in our backyard.

male House Sparrow and male House Finch

And White-throated Sparrow, with its yellow patch at the beak-end of its white streak over the eye, has come back.

male House Finch

As usual I am very eager to see what birds visit our backyard this fall and winter!

Response Form