More Birds of My Backyard!

Birds of my Backyard!

 This fall day was beautiful. I had noticed much bird activity in the yard. I could look out a window or door and see birds eating, bathing, flying or simply sitting in a tree. I love this activity and find it impossible not to grab my camera, open a window or set up my tripod on the porch. This day seemed a perfect opportunity to record the birds in my backyard. The surprise of the day was a parakeet at the bird bath. I saw a flash of green as he flew to the nearby bush. I could not identify until he was sitting at the water. We had two "love birds' at the bath last year. They were so cute and just kept kissing and sitting very close together. I imagine they escaped their home or were let out accidentally.  Our Thrashers are always a welcome bird. The are not as shy as they have been in past years. The white-throated and the Chipping Sparrows have arrived in the last few days. The Yellow-rumped Warblers are beautiful little birds. I was surprised that I did not see a Pine Warbler. We usually have several around this time of year. I heard the Eastern Phoebe many times but was unable to photograph her. The Crows are still devouring our pecans. I declined the photo "op" of these big guys. There are at least 6 Blue Jays screaming and calling to each other. They are frequent at the water bath, bullying others.  I counted at least 14 birds in a couple of hours. I have heard "give them food and they will come" I say,"Give them water and you will see more birds". The Starling was in beautiful light. Blessings to all! Thanks for stopping by!

Osprey

 The stars aligned, my Lord blessed and the camera focused.  I was so excited that I was shaking as I put the camera up and brought this great bird into focus. We have been seeing this Osprey almost everyday as we travel to our property. He sits looking for fish on Lake Conroe. We have also witnessed him diving into the water in all his majestic beauty. My husband and I have both spent much time thinking how we might catch a photo on such a busy road.  Today I was alone, my husband was overseeing the work happening at our new home. I noticed as I came upon the bridge where we look for our Osprey that the traffic was unusually light. I drove by, saw our friend, pulled in to a drive nearby and waited till there was not a car coming in either direction, Unbelievable.......this was an extremely rare circumstance.  I was Blessed!!!  I love the intense way this bird looked straight at me. 

 

Red-shouldered Hawk

 A December visitor to the backyard. The Red-shouldered as well as the Sharp-shinned have enjoyed this Cedar pile under our Red Maple Tree.

Hawks

 As a Birder, I put off learning to identify Hawks. I thought they were always so high flying it would seem impossible to get identifying marks in your binoculars .  Time has passed and I do consider myself better equipped with more knowledge for their identification. These birds of prey have become fascinating to me. For one reason or another I seem to be in the right place to see them and I am becoming better at identifying the ones in my area. The Red-tailed Hawk is seen often in the open fields and trees near our home. They are probably the most common Hawk we see.  In the winter we see Cooper's and Sharp-shined passing through the backyard sending all our song and small birds rushing for cover. The  Red-tailed are ones we see almost everyday as we pass acreage on our way to our new property. We find that they are usually sitting too far off the road or most often we do not have our camera! On this afternoon my husband pulled off the road and I shot a few ......Photos. Blessings!