The cardinals haven’t been visiting the feeder much, but seem to prefer staying close to the bushes, so I leave seeds and millet there. I can’t say that I blame them much when red-tailed hawks are often patrolling the neighborhood. Being bright red at this time a year might be a bit dangerous. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Beautiful. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
It’s been a busy week at the feeder. Grackles, red-winged blackbirds, cardinals, sparrows, titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, and more. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I was sitting in the backyard watching all the birds dining on millet when everyone suddenly took off. I assumed a predator was around somewhere. This beautiful hawk flew down, then landed on the fence. I assumed everyone had gotten away, but when I looked at the picture enlarged, it does look like she has someone. All of this happened in a matter of seconds. The hawk has to eat, but I am always sad for the little birds. On the other hand, I have seen how a mob of small birds can bring a raptor down. I know this is how things work. The relationships are symbiotic. We humans often forget that. Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
It looks like one of our favorite eagle couples is back at the nest. Both were on the nest, but one took off before I got the picture. How exciting! Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
Downy woodpeckers are just amazing. They look so fluffy and hugable. 
Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
The backyard is a wonderful place to spend some time. So many of us run out to our cars, run into the office, grocery store, etc., and never stop and look around, or look up. We’ve been trying to make a point of having our morning coffee in the yard (at least while it is still warm enough to do so). Once you start looking, start really paying attention to all the beings around you, you may find you’re not able to stop, and that’s not a bad thing. It happened to me. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
It’s that time of year again. Crows seem to be everywhere doing crow things. So many of us don’t really look at them, or think of them as a nuisance. They’re amazing. Click on pictures to enlarge.
