2016 Spring Yard-Birds

I never mean to wait this long to post. Here are a few of our year-round residents and spring visitors. Most of these are mid-May through mid-June. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Brown thrasher with peanut

© Chris Taylor

Rose-breasted grosbeak

© Chris Taylor

House finches

© Chris Taylor

Orioles

© Chris Taylor

Orchard oriole

© Chris Taylor

Orioles

© Chris Taylor

Gray catbird

© Chris Taylor

Male northern cardinal

© Chris Taylor

Content Protection by DMCA.com

Blending In

I always wondered why male cardinals do not molt in the fall. It seems like that bright red would make one quite the target in the winter snow. This guy seems to be blending in pretty well. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

 

 

Content Protection by DMCA.com

A few fall yard birds

The year-round residents are getting into their winter groups and the winter residents like the juncos are here in abundance. Generally, at this time of year, I would be at the Wakarusa Wetlands four or more mornings a week. I know I am one of many deeply grieving this loss. I hope that those of us who are doing more feeding, putting up more cover, winter roosting boxes, and brush piles, can offset some of the habitat loss these birds are experiencing. Support the work the Haskell Students are doing here: https://www.facebook.com/wetlandspreservationorganization Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Content Protection by DMCA.com

Celebrating backyard birds

Sitting in the backyard is so much better than television! Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

And, don’t forget the mammals.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Content Protection by DMCA.com

A morning of cardinals

I love the big groups of cardinals at this time of year. With many predators visiting our yard over the last few weeks, I am not seeing the big numbers of small birds that we usually see. For instance, I haven’t seen many mourning doves since I discovered three piles of mourning dove feathers in the yard over several days.  I would stay away from this yard, too! What I can always count on are the big groups of cardinals that visit the feeders and water at dawn and dusk. A few nights ago, I counted eighteen at the feeders. Today, I was raking leaves and I guess a human being out there keeping the predators away made them feel a little safer. More cardinals, more chickadees, more titmice, and even a brown creeper. I do hope the mourning doves come back soon. Click on pictures to enlarge.

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

 

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

© Chris Taylor

Content Protection by DMCA.com