USUAL WINTER SUSPECTS

Since we have been having all these extreme cold temperatures, everybody I know, knows how I become reclusive to the comfy confines of my abode. While I love all our seasons, I am definitely a spring summer person, as I love to lay with the boys at my beloved Raven Resort at the pool. This time also gives me a chance to recharge before play season. About one of my only joys, bedside curling up with some good wine, and long candle lit nights is watching my feathered friends out my windows. I have a bird oasis on our grounds here.I love feeding the birds because it gives me something interesting to look at all winter long. Many here in the cul de sac have feeders on the grounds of various types, and we tend to the ones nearest our place. And yesterday with my coffee was a feeding frenzy of all types!!!!  above was a Tufted Titmouse waiting to get to the window sill for some thistle seed. It's such a sweet looking bird. In my case, I can get right up to the window without them flying away. Juncos are the first to arrive most mornings, some call them our snow birds, and there one of my favorite to watch........

 

 

Here is one peeking into the windows.....

 

 

Juncos have quite the pecking order. When it comes to feeding the dominate males feed first, then the secondary males, then the older females and lastly the young females. I have wondered why the tree gets loaded with them, when I have two sills long enough to house them all, and only two at a time will be on the sill to feed. Other birds will feed with them, but never more then two Junco's at a time. On the hanging feeder..... a house finch and not sure what the other beauty is, maybe some kind of blue bird???

 

 

And on the stake holders outside the door were a chickadee, cardinal and some sparrows....

 

 

 I buy big 30 lb bags of birdseed and black oil sunflower seeds at the local farm market to keep our feathered friends fed all winter long. I also put out suet for all the woodpeckers and clinging birds. I'm never quick enough with the camera with them. My neighbor Nathan who helps fill the feeders with me snapped yours truly filling one of the many feeders......

This winter so far has brought  blue jays, mourning doves, chickadees, house wrens, house sparrows, phoebes,towhees, goldfinches, purple finches, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, and of course we have tons of  the cardinals. And you may remember a couple weeks ago my pictures of the dear confused Robins!!!!!! Even my squirrel Bouvier gets into the seed, with an apparent friends of his now. Even though, I leave him peanuts and hazelnuts each day.

 

 

 

Yesterday morning Bouvier actually came to the window to receive his nut selection....

 

 

Feeding the birds not only gives me something interesting to do and watch during the winter, but it helps the birds stay strong and healthy through the cold winter months. In the summer most of these birds stay around, but the bright yellow finch will return.  I’ll keep feeding my little feathered friends and providing them with nice homes to keep them happy. Meanwhile, the Lady from the lake bird preserve came back two weeks ago to check up on the rare Little Owl. She hadn't moved from her spot. In these temps and being so far off course it's a miracle she hasn't frozen to death. But she has built quite a nest in the hole of a tree. Rarely been seen, except in the afternoon. She is wise.