• This month -  16
• This year -  52
• Career total -  54
• Pictures posted -  304

Noon - resting in the tall trees in adjacent schoolyard.

Yesterday at our rain barrel...

Yesterday at our rain barrel...

Yesterday - mid-afternoon. One of 3 chickadees, as well as sparrows, house finches, pine siskins and a white-breasted nuthatch, kept me company (& entertained!) while I worked on the fall clean-up of our backyard.

Yesterday - mid-afternoon. This little fellow, as well as sparrows, house finches, pine siskins and chickadees, kept me company (& entertained!) while I worked on the fall clean-up of our backyard.

Yesterday, mid-afternoon, while working in the backyard, I heard a tapping sound coming from the fence. I thought it was the Downy Woodpecker I'd seen earlier, but it was the nuthatch pounding away on the fence post. It did this for about 5 minutes, alternating with the feeders.

Yesterday, mid-afternoon, while working in the backyard, I heard a tapping sound coming from the fence. I thought it was the Downy Woodpecker I'd seen earlier, but it was the nuthatch pounding away on the fence post. It did this for about 5 minutes, alternating with the feeders.

Mid-afternoon - one of 3 that kept me company today - along with the other birds posted - while I was doing the fall cleanup of our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - one of 3 that kept me company today - along with the other birds posted - while I was doing the fall cleanup of our backyard. Caught these two at the ""Floral Patio Restaurant"! LOL

Mid-afternoon - one of about 10 - 15 that kept me company today - along with the other birds posted - while I was doing the fall cleanup of our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - one of 2 that kept me company today - along with the other birds posted - while I was doing the fall cleanup of our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - this little guy spent a good 10 - 15 minutes in our yard, going from the crabapple tree to the various feeders and the shed roof. I got fairly close to him & he didn't get spooked!

Mid-afternoon - this little guy spent a good 10 - 15 minutes in our yard, going from the crabapple tree to the various feeders and the shed roof. I got fairly close to him & he didn't get spooked!

Mid-afternoon - at suet feeder in our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - this little guy spent a good 10 - 15 minutes in our yard, going from the crabapple tree to the various feeders and the shed roof. I got fairly close to him & he didn't get spooked!

Mid-afternoon - at suet feeder in our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - this little guy spent a good 10 - 15 minutes in our yard, going from the crabapple tree to the various feeders and the shed roof.

Yesterday, mid-morning - my husband got these photos, shooting through our family room window. These little fellows haven't been around for awhile and I was afraid they had abandoned us, but they're back.

Early afternoon - drinking from birdbath, going from feeder to feeder, and foraging on ground in flowerbeds.

Early afternoon - a birdbath, feeder, and foraging on ground in flowerbeds.

Mid-afternoon - foraging on ground wheelbarro planter.

Early afternoon - foraging on ground and hiding in trees.

Early afternoon - at birdbath in our backyard. This little fellow had a good time splashing around!

Early afternoon - foraging on ground and hiding in trees.

A couple of days ago at suet feeder in our backyard. Amost got it!

A couple of days ago at suet feeder in our backyard. Victory!!

A couple of days ago at suet feeder in our backyard. Darn! Missed again!.

A couple of days ago at suet feeder in our backyard. Victory!!

A couple of days ago at suet feeder in our backyard. I think this is the same one that tried to get at the feeder earlier. Here's the "hop-fly"...

A few days ago, in our backyard: my husband noticed a group of smallish birds that exhibited yellow flashes as they flew around. He got a few shots. I think they were palm warblers (one can be seen on right side of photo), based on the photos in our field guides and the descriptions - chestnut crown, yellow eyebrow and throat; slightly streaky belly and yellow undertail coverts. This is a first for us.

A few days ago, in our backyard: my husband noticed a group of smallish birds that exhibited yellow flashes as they flew around. He got a few shots. I think they were palm warblers (on right side of photo), based on the photos in our field guides and the descriptions - chestnut crown, yellow eyebrow and throat; slightly streaky belly and yellow undertail coverts. This is a first for us.

At backyard feeder.

At backyard feeder. She looks like she's saying "Well, hello to you too!"

At backyard feeder.

At backyard feeder.

Not a very good shot: my husband got this photo from an upstairs window. I tried to enlarge it, but without much luck. Two of these (M & F??) have been around for the last couple of weeks, for the first time since Spring.

Late morning yesterday- at backyard feeder.

Late morning yesterday - on backyard fence.

My husband & I have decided that the reason the birds like the rain barrel so much is that the water in it is pure, not the chemically treated stuff that comes out of the hose and into the bird baths.

A few of the many that are finally using the finch feeder on a daily basis. We almost took it down, since it was so rarely used.

Throughout the day - one of the 4 that regularly visit.

The birds' guardian angel?? Two of the approximately 30 or so that keep coming to our backyard.

All day - the sparrows politely waited their turns while the nuthatch had his...

All day - once again, the chickadee(s) and the nuthatch took turns coming to the feeder, as did many pine siskins.

Mid-afternoon - at home-made feeder in our backyard, eating sunflower seeds. The chicadees alternated with the red-breasted nuthatch at this feeder.

Mid-afternoon - on fence-post in our backyard. I got a kick out of the expression on its face. :o)

Mid-afternoon - on fence-post in our backyard.

Mid-afternoon - at home-made feeder in our backyard, eating sunflower seeds. These photos are a bit clearer than the previous one I posted.

Mid-afternoon - at home-made feeder in our backyard, eating sunflower seeds. These photos are a bit clearer than the previous one I posted.

I'm not sure how my husband got this shot of 11 of the 30 - 40 sparrows that are in our yard all the time now. This bunch had been in the lilac bush beside our house, but when I walked by, they swooshed out of it and onto our roof.

Not a very clear photo, I'm afraid, but the little fellow is still identifiable, I think.

One of the 3 that were at the various feeders in our backyard late this afternoon. It was really funny watching them try to get at the sunflower seeds in the tube feeder. The tray was too small for them to stand on and they were flapping their wings like mad to maintain their balance. But they kept coming back. Hopefully they'll discover the sunflower seeds in the larger feeder my husband made just for them.

They also enjoy the mallow seeds.

One of 4 regular visitors to our yard.

The Siskins seem to like goldenrod seeds too.

Just a few of the 30 - 40 Pine Siskins that surrounded me early this afternoon in our backyard.

The sunflower seeds are really popular!

I love these little acrobats!

Early afternoon - a few of the more than 30 Pine Siskins that have been coming to our yard in the last couple of weeks.

My husband took this picture a couple of days ago. The Blue Jay family have been even more regular visitors lately.

Early afternoon - a few of the more than 30 House Sparrows and an equal number of Pine Siskins that have "invaded" our yard (and very welcome invaders they are!). It was a BUSY day in the neighborhood today!!

Just before noon - at the bee balm. I think this plant is what's drawing the hummingbirds. I'm going to have to plant more!

Just before noon - at the bee balm. I think this plant is what's drawing the hummingbirds. I'm going to have to plant more!

Just before noon - at the bee balm. I think this plant is what's drawing the hummingbirds. I'm going to have to plant more!

Just before noon - at the water barrel again. The rest of the 20 - 30 were in the trees and at the feeders.

Just before noon - at the water barrel again. The rest of the 20 - 30 were in the trees and at the feeders.

Just before noon - at the water barrel again. The rest of the 20 - 30 were in the trees and at the feeders.

Early morning, then again around noon - at one of the feeders in our backyard.

Yesterday - early afternoon. While working in one of our flowerbeds, I counted 7 Pine Siskins on & around the finch feeder above me. There were 5 on the feeder and 2 in the tree. My husband took these pics and this one is funny: you can almost hear the young 'un on the right saying, "Where are you going?? Don't you know I'm hungry?!).

Yesterday - early afternoon. While working in one of our flowerbeds, I counted 7 Pine Siskins on & around the finch feeder above me. There were 5 on the feeder and 2 in the tree. My husband took these pics and this sequence is funny: here the 2 juveniles are begging to be fed and in the next photo, you can almost hear the one on the right saying, "Where are you going?? Don't you know I'm hungry?!).

Yesterday - early afternoon. While working in one of our flowerbeds, I counted 7 Pine Siskins on & around the finch feeder above me. There were 5 on the feeder and 2 in the tree.

One of four seen several times through the day, at crabapple tree in backyard, along with a couple of Pine Siskins.

One of two seen several times through the day, at crabapple tree in backyard.

Several times through the day, at crabapple tree and sunflower seeds feeder in backyard.

At sunflower seed feeder.

At sunflower seed feeder. The second one can be seen at the top right of the photo.

Yesterday: mid-afternoon. My husband got this shot of four of the 30 or so sparrows that have been cleaning out the feeders for the last couple of weeks.

Yesterday: mid-afternoon. My husband got this shot of one of the 30 or so sparrows that have been cleaning out the feeders for the last couple of weeks.

Yesterday: mid-afternoon. My husband got this shot of one of the hummingbirds as it flitted among the flowers in our backyard. It spent several minutes at the beebalm and also liked the mallows.

Yesterday: mid-afternoon. My husband got this shot of one of the hummingbirds as it flitted among the flowers in our backyard. It can be seen at the top left-hand corner of the photo. It spent several minutes at the beebalm.

Photo taken yesterday by my husband. Early afternoon - the siskins looked like they were just relaxing and gazing around the yard while sitting in tray under feeder, occasionally dipping into the sunflower seeds. They sat like that for a good 10 minutes.

Early afternoon - in crabapple tree and feeder in our backyard.

First sighting today - around 9:30 a.m. - darting about yard. Then at noon, this time hovering in front of kitchen window near petunias and at feeder. Watched them for a good part of the afternoon, darting about yard from crabapple tree to willow to feeder to various flowers.

First sighting today - around 9:30 a.m. - darting about yard. Then at noon, this time hovering in front of kitchen window near petunias and at feeder. Watched them for a good part of the afternoon, darting about yard from crabapple tree to willow to feeder to various flowers.

First sighting today - around 9:30 a.m. - darting about yard. Then at noon, this time hovering in front of kitchen window near petunias and at feeder. Watched them for a good part of the afternoon, darting about yard from crabapple tree to willow to feeder to various flowers.

First sighting today - around 9:30 a.m. - darting about yard. Then at noon, this time hovering in front of kitchen window near petunias and at feeder. Watched them for a good part of the afternoon, darting about yard from crabapple tree to willow to feeder to various flowers.

One of about 30 that have been at our feeders all week.

One of about 30 that have been at our feeders all week.

At one of our backyard feeders. Photo is blurry because it was taken through a screen.

At one of our backyard feeders.

Mid-morning at backyard feeder. This is the second time we've seen them in our yard.

My husband took this photo of the waterthrushes in our weeping willow several days ago. This is the second time we've seen them in our yard.

My husband took this photo of the pair in our weeping willow several days ago. I'm just now getting caught up on my photos & postings.

All day - anywhere beween 10 and 15 house sparrows, flitting from feeder to feeder in our backyard, completely oblivious to the pouring rain.

Just after 1 p.m. - this little fellow found the one dry spot in the backyard & stayed put for a good ten minutes, until the rain let up a bit and it rejoined the rest of its family.

Around noon or 1 p.m. - flying to & from feeders in our backyard and this one decided to take a bath in the rain!!

Around noon or 1 p.m. - flying to & from trees in our backyard and foraging on ground in flowerbeds.

A couple of days ago - group of 8 (a family, I suspect) in our backyard from early morning till evening, flying from feeder to feeder and bath to bath, skreeling at each other.

A couple of days ago - a group of 8 (a family I suspect) flying around our backyard, to & from feeders, baths, and the water barrel - skreeling to each other.

A couple of days ago - a group of 8 (a family I suspect) flying around our backyard, to & from feeders, baths, and the water barrel - skreeling to each other.

Earlier this week, on our back fence around 9 a.m..

Earlier this week, a juvenile flew into railing on our deck and knocked itself to the ground. Our houseguest, who was stting on the patio, ran over, picked it up and stroked its back until it recovered. After a couple of minutes, it flew away - apparently none the worse for its experience.

Earlier this week, a juvenile flew into railing on our deck and knocked itself to the ground. Our houseguest picked it up and stroked its back until it recovered. After a couple of minutes, it flew away - apparently none the worse for its experience.

Around 4 p.m. on Thursday - a group flitting from feeder to feeder (but mostly feasting on sunflower seeds) in our backyard.

Around 4 p.m. on Thursday - a group flitting from feeder to feeder (but mostly feasting on sunflower seeds) in our backyard.

Mid-afternoon, on our back fence.

Early eveing - foraging on ground beneath sunflower seeds feeder.

Early eveing - flitting from plum tree to back fence to feeders in our backyard.

Early eveing - sharing the sunflower seeds feeder with the downy woodpecker.

Early eveing - flitting from plum tree to back fence to feeders in our backyard.