Monday, January 28, 2013

Bird Watching


Good Monday morning to you!  It's going to be a spring-like
day with temps near 70 degrees.  More of the same tomorrow.


It's supposed to rain today and tomorrow.  We need it.


Then we'll cool off toward mid-week with temps back in the 30s.  That will feel like winter again.   The birds must be confused.  When it is warmer, I don't see many at the feeders.  I've been putting out some cracked corn and they haven't been eating it as much as in past years.  The woodpeckers, like this Red-bellied Woodpecker, love their seed cakes.  I'm still waiting patiently for a Pileated Woodpecker to show up.  He is about the only woodpecker I haven't ever seen at the feeders
I'm beginning to have my doubts whether we have them around here.
  
Now I'm off to get my hair cut.  Bird-watching will have to wait another day.  Note to self...buy a couple more seed cakes and suet cakes.

Until next time...  

25 comments:

  1. this little guy is so cute... i like his little claws hanging on in the first one, made me want to put red polish on it. we have a slight chance of rain on Thursday, we need it so bad.

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  2. Or you could make those suet cakes at home using Cait's recipe that I featured a few days ago. I have yet to see any birds eating it, but I'm sure that's because they don't expect a buffet at my place. Will we get to see this haircut? Hmmm?

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  3. BTW, I think it's quite unfair to have such warm and wonderful weather accompanied by rain even if you need it.

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  4. These pictures are fantastic! You are such a wonderful nature photographer. That Red Bellied Woodpecker certainly is a beautiful fellow.

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  5. Gorgeous photos.

    Wondering if Pileated Woodpeckers ever come to a feeder? Don't they thrive on insects?

    Can anyone answer this question...?

    "Auntie"

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  6. started out with 66 here this morning. 76 expected. storms tomorrow, then back to 50s. yup, the birds are confused here, too.

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  7. This sounds dumb - but when I see photos like these -I feel such joy. And it is in the 50's here. Rain Wednesday...

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  8. Wonderful photos of the woodpecker!
    It's been kinda warm here, with lots of rain. This is one weird winter that's for sure.

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  9. Nice woodpecker shots. Warm here too. I'm afraid we are in for snow by the end of the week.

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  10. we have a bit of confusion here as well...

    if i had my choice and could see only one woodpecker, i would pick these!! i just LOVE their coloring!!

    really pretty captures!!

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  11. These are wonderful macros, you have captured so much detail! You must have a long zoom? I don't know if I would have been able to pry myself away from the door/window! Gosh, you can even see his tiny claws.

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  12. They are absolutely gorgeous...and looks like they are having fun filling their little bellies.....

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  13. Great captures, Cheryl. It is a lot warmer here, too...supposed to be warmer still tomorrow. Has to be confusing to the animals and to the plants.

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  14. Beautiful photos of the woodpecker. They are such a pretty bird. I used to put out suet for them until they started banging on my neighbor's house and I was afraid the neighbors would think I was attracting them. LOL. I'm tempted to start feeding them again. I think they bang on houses whether I attract them or not.

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  15. Afternoon Cheryl, what beautiful pictures of the Woodpecker, love to watch the birds at the feeders....Blessings Francine.

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  16. You got some beautiful shots of this woodpecker, Cheryl. Pileated woodpeckers tend to stay away from backyards I find. I hear them in the trees across the road or up the hill often. We're in for a couple of very warm days this week too then back to normal cold again. Blessings. Pamela

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  17. The Red-bellies love your seed and suet cake so hopefully they will spread the word to to the other P woodies before winter is over.

    Awesome shots, Cheryl.

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  18. Hi Cheryl, can you believe we topped into the high 70's? Wow. We sat on the porche late last night, marveling at how warm it was. Sweet bird. Hope you remembered those suet cakes... gonna need them later this week!

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  19. Bless you for still feeding the birds. I make mine poor birds hunt for their meals when the snow leaves the ground. I'm a fan of the Pileated woodpeckers also.
    We had high 70's today with sprinkles. Tomorrow we are expecting severe weather. Time to break out the tornado hat just in case. Stay safe.

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  20. What wonderful photos! We love to watch the birds on our feeders but scare them off if we try to open the door and take a pic! I got my hair cut this week...sure feels good!

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  21. Weather the same here. Crazy! And we have woodpeckers here too. Love to watch them. Yours is a cutie!

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  22. Hope you enjoyed your ME time while getting your hair cut. I always enjoy this special time. Our weather has been like a roller coaster...up and down. Almost 80 today...but not to get too excited, it will be in the upper 30's by the weekend..
    hugs

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  23. Cheryl we have two Pileateds and you can have them! Those Red-Bellieds are bullies too but they sure are pretty! And yes Pileated come to feeders and stay and stay and talk and talk! Our feeders are in the our woods past the back yard and we are pretty secluded though.

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  24. Love the bird pictures at the feeder. Right now we are in about a foot of snow. I do see a lot of birds in the sky; so I wonder why they aren't further South.
    Blessings to you!

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  25. Wonderful captures of the Red-Belly! He's a handsome fellow.
    I've read the other comments and I can tell you that yes, Pileated Woodpeckers like eating insects from decayed wood best. But, I have had them at my suet feeders twice. On one occasion a female visited two days straight and spend about 10 minutes at the suet. If you have lots of trees and forest around listen carefully for their drumming. It is very loud.

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