As the temperature drops, I get out more. I love the crisp weather and having a walk to myself. There is still time to see migrating birds and the residents who will stick around as long as the water is not frozen. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
My flat top robin friend stopped by this morning. He has been nesting in or near our yard and visiting off and on during the fall and winter for a little over four years. I was so flattered that he landed right in front of me when I was outside this morning. He was doing a lot of talking and I thought, as we humans do, it was all about me. I went back inside to get my camera. When I came out, there were robins everywhere (and a flicker). I think all the talking my robin friend was doing was calling his buddies to come for the raisins and fresh water. Robin party! Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I do my best to let our yard be natural, only doing what is required to keep us out of trouble with the city. This fall, I have had to do a lot of trimming of bushes and small trees along our fence that were getting close to the power lines. If I don’t trim it down, Westar will, and they will do it in the spring when birds have already nested and baby rabbits are hiding under the bushes. I try to be proactive, so they have few reasons to stomp around the yard. All of this means that the brush pile I have been adding to is much bigger this year. The white-throated sparrows seem to be loving it, and with two Cooper’s hawks, a merlin, and at least three free-roaming cats, it is much needed cover.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor