With the mild weather we have been enjoying for the last few days the birds have been very active. There are numerous large pine trees in our neighbourhood and when I look up at the top of them a crow always seems to be perched there. I took this photo in our backyard.
It does make me a little nervous all this mild weather. Are we in for a doosy of a March??
Bonus shot here. I thought I was just getting a shot of the Cardinal and didn't notice the Goldfinch until I downloaded the photos.
Making headway into the suet.
You were right Granny Marigold! When I posted a photo of this birdhouse a week or so ago you mentioned about the squirrels chewing it. This one was busily at it a few days ago.
Another gorgeous sunrise on Sunday.
The mourning Doves are an everyday visitor now. So glad!
Monday morning we headed out on our loooong walk (9km or around 6 miles) as it was so beautiful out. We stopped off at a small park and I saw swans way out on the ice. I wasn't venturing out there so I zoomed in the best I could.
The beavers are gnawing the trees. This one was too far gone and needed to be cut down.
The park people are attempting to save this one.
Looks like some more squirrel gnawing at one of several bird houses in the park.
There was a large flock of Canada Geese at the small pond in the "Active Lifestyle Community" we have here in Brighton. I didn't want to startle them so again just zoomed in with my little point and shoot. There must have been about 30 of them.
We hope to be heading out on a road trip on Thursday. It all depends on the weather. If we do I hope to have many great photos!
Take care.
Robin
Aren't crows meant to be very intelligent? We've just had a cold snap, but it's getting warmer again now. Enjoy your trip xx
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl, crows definitely are very intelligent! Chuck and I were walking under a tree once and a crow was overhead with a stick in his mouth. He dropped it just as we walked underneath bonking me on the head. Then he started cawing which sounded like laughing. We laughed too.
DeleteGlad you are having warmer temps too.
Take care.
Your bird photos are beautiful. My dream is to get some nice photos of a cardinal couple :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard Crows are smart, too. Coupled with their size it sometimes makes me nervous!
Take good care.
Hopefully, March won't be too bad. I wouldn't mind a snow day, though!
Hi Maggie thanks for your kind words. It is tough getting a photo of a cardinal couple. I have managed to get a few over the years.
DeleteCrows are huge! When we lived in Nova Scotia a man in our small town had a tame one and it went everywhere with him. He loved to be talked too so I got use to being up close to crows. Their beaks are rather intimidating.
I won't mind a snowy day or two in March either. Some relaxing time before all the yard and garden work start.
Be well!
Wonderful photos as always, especially of the birds. I do like crows! I know some people don't like the caw sound they make, but it always takes me back to the fields in Gaspé, and letting Mandy off her leash to "chase the birdies".
ReplyDeleteThe cardinal/gold finch plus mourning dove pics are particularly fantastic, IMO.
No, don't venture out onto the ice! It's been too mild now for it to be safe. There have been one or two recent deaths in our area related to snowmobiles going through the ice. (I know you're MUCH lighter than a snowmobile, but it's still not safe.)
March likely will be messy, pretty much par for the course. I'd rather have normal temps, though, than a sudden heat wave, then temp drop like we had one recent year past -- so many of us lost most of our perennials that year. I remember taking pics of the forsythia in bloom either the second or third week of the month, which was crazy for this region.
Hi Kim, I like crows too! In Nova Scotia in the back part of our acre we had a few crows nesting. One I would recognize because he had a few feathers missing in it's wing. They did make quite a racket!
DeleteI was happy to see how well the cardinal/goldfinch photo turned out. Pure luck getting it!
I will admit to going out about 20 feet on the ice. Chuck pointed out that there were reeds along the edge so it couldn't be very deep. I am very cautious!
This up and down weather is hard on the perennials. I hope all the ones Merv and I planted last Fall are alright.
Take care.
Is it wrong of me to say that I only want temps that keep my friendly ferals's water bowl liquid instead of icy? That's why I enjoy the warmer temps; reduced winter worry for my kitty friends. The goldfinch just blends in with the background!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way! I don't like the kitties to only have dry food. I can leave out some wet food and it doesn't freeze.
DeleteIt's taken me ten minutes to type my answer to your comment. Both Miss Kitty and Punkin came to the deck door for some food and a cuddle. Poor Punkin ,looks like someone chomped his ear. He continually looks like he has been in a fight.
Have a good week!
I enjoy your bird photos so much. I do hope the weather will be nice for your trip on Thurs. I saw the bird alert stickers someone mentioned on your blog (about 3 back) to prevent birds from flying into windows. We have one door that is glass that I may get the stickers for it. Have a lovely afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHi Mildred. I am so glad you enjoy my photos! So far the weather looks good for our trip but you know how quickly it can change. I have looked into getting the stickers too. They have all sorts of pretty designs. I hope you find one you like.
DeleteHave a good week!
"...the "Active Lifestyle Community" we have here in Brighton"
ReplyDeleteThat sounds interesting!!!!!!
Hi Luna, it is a beautiful community for 50+ people. The houses are mostly bungalows with small lots so geared for easy care. The only trouble is it is built on very swampy land. Sump pumps run continually and you have to have a back-up system for when the hydro goes out. We did look at a couple homes in there but the water issues are something we just didn't want to deal with.
DeleteHave a good evening!
You take the most gorgeous pictures. I want them all!!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, nice to hear from you again. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. It is part luck and patience that enables me to take them. Of course the subject matter is the star isn't it?
DeleteEnjoy your day!
More of my birdhouses are being ravaged by squirrels and something MUST BE DONE. DH has a couple of ideas. Hopefully they'll work. I do wonder if the squirrels plan on nesting in the houses once they have the hole big enough? Or why they're doing this??
ReplyDeleteHi G.M. If you or DH figure out how to foil the squirrels let us all know! You would assume they are planning on using the boxes as nesting spots.
DeleteAnyway, I hear all your snow is gone and you are back to normal temperatures. Yahoo!
Take care.
Wow! Such beautiful bird photos. The goldfinch is so pretty and of course, cardinals always are a treat to see. Hard to photograph them here in Florida. They jump around too much.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your blog which I learned about on Wandering Cat's blog.
Hi Dee, thanks for stopping by! Cardinals are tough to photograph, they never stay still for long.
DeleteI enjoy your blog too. Good luck with your house hunting!
Enjoy the day.
More fabulous bird photos from your yard. Great picture of the crow.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, we seem to have quite a few crows hanging around. I can hear them cawing first thing in the morning along with the Robins.
DeleteHope you had another great walk this morning.
Take care.
Seeing the beautiful crow reminded me of the one we picked up in the road once. It was almost blind with what looked like a film over its eyes, it had obviously been getting by up until then. I took it to the wild life man and I think he eventually had to put it down but it made me think that wild creatures put up with so many afflictions without complaining until the end comes. So sad.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Briony, interesting story. Yes animals seem to put up things and just get on with it. We had a squirrel last year who had something wrong with it's balance. She tumbled over quite often but always jumped back up. Sadly she just stopped coming one day. I assume she just passed away in her sleep. At least I hope so.
DeleteHave a good day!
Your photos are always so wonderful. Thanks for brightening up my day!
ReplyDeleteHi Mitchell, that's so kind of you to say. I just like the simple things in life and I assume some other people do too. If I can make someone's day a little better I am happy. Your blog always makes me smile!
DeleteEnjoy your evening.
These pictures are wondrous. I love looking at them.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Robin.
Hi Sandra, I am so glad you enjoy them. They make me happy so I am glad I have a way to share them.
DeleteEnjoy the day!
I especially love the picture of the finch and the cardinal. They can be found together a lot can't they?
DeleteYOU have a great weekend.
Those squirrels must be hungry! lol Beautiful pictures :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the visit!
rue
Hi Rue, thanks so much for visiting! The squirrels are constantly hungry! I put food out for them usually first thing in the morning. It doesn't last long! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
DeleteHave a good day.
great snapshots Robin; especially like the cardinal finch, and the one right above it; unsure of the type of bird he is.
ReplyDeleteI read you comment above on the squirrel dilemma; if you have a free standing feeder; by this I mean one not connected to a tree in any way, or near anything he can use as a launch pad UP; or OVER TO; you can put metal tubing along the feeder stand, and or chain that may hold it.
doesn't need to be expensive; just something cheap and that can be cut to size like tin maybe, as the squirrel can't "grab hold" of it and then hoist himself to the seed; clear plastic tubing will work too
hope this makes sense ☺☺♥♥♥
Sorry I often forget to hit the Reply button. My answer to your comment is below.
DeleteThank you! The bird house is actually in my neighbours yard. The tin around the pole would work from the ground but we have so many trees around the yards they would be able to jump from the trees.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We are just resigned to feeding the squirrels as long as we want to feed the birds. ;)
Take care and thanks!
Robin, I love the photos. It is so cool that you got the bonus finch in the photo of the cardinal! How sweet! I am shopping for a new camera. I love that I can use my ipad and my iPhone, but I really miss having a good camera.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lynn
Hi Lynn, glad you liked t photos! I do need a new camera. I have a little point and shoot that is o.k. for regular photos but my better camera that zooms in really well is 10 years old now and not working the best. I use my iPad occasionally too but I prefer a camera.
DeleteHave a good day!
I like the crows and would love to have a baby crow to raise as a pet. That would be such fun. Maybe one day. I wonder why squirrels chew up bird houses. That happens here too.
ReplyDeleteHi Henny, I do find crows so interesting! You are such a wonderful caregiver to animals I am sure a baby crow would flourish in your care. I don't understand why squirrels chew the bird houses.
DeleteTake care!
Such pretty birds! We have don't have cardinals here in Oregon but they are so beautiful! I giggled at the squirrel! :)
ReplyDeleteBirds are beautiful aren't they? Isn't it interesting how we have different birds in each area? As the squirrel was chewing the bird house the wood chips were flying. Do they chew them because the wood feels good on their teeth????
DeleteEnjoy your Thursday!
Oh, I so enjoyed these...I came yesterday but didn't get to take them all in good so waited till I could think better today. LOL
ReplyDeleteRose, I am so glad you enjoyed the photos. I hope Roger is feeling better soon.
DeleteTake care.
Love seeing the birds and beautiful weather there. Today we have a sunny day, first time in more than a week. You inspire me to go for a nice walk and take a good long look around!
ReplyDeleteHi Robin, you got some sun! That's fantastic. We are hearing so much scary news about northern California. I think of you often.
DeleteHope you were able to get out for a walk. Enjoy the weekend!