The Wildlife Around Us....

I posted about my Mom yesterday.  I didn't mention that she was the one who "introduced" me to birds.  As a child she'd point out bluebirds, which she loved to see.  She said they brought happiness.  She loved the little wrens...  told me they were humble, but hard workers.  She had bird feeders outside her window and fed the birds all year round.  This was way before it was a popular thing to do and there wasn't much in the way of selection in bird feeders.  In fact, the early ones were homemade ...  wooden platforms.  I don't know when the Peterson Field Guide to the Birds was first published, but I'm betting it appeared in our household early on.

I followed her path....  when I got married I put up bird feeders.  My kids had "The Little Golden Book of Birds" at a very early age.  I remember so well the day they came running to me to tell me there was a mutant goldfinch at the feeder.  That was the year the Evening Grosbeaks first came to our area.

 Mr and Mrs Cardinal

He's more attractive with his topnot raised...  maybe I'll get that later.

White-breasted Nuthatch

Same bird in a more familiar pose.

Red-bellied woodpecker....

Those stiff tail feathers serve a purpose...  gives him leverage to really work that jack-hammer beak!

This Tufted titmouse has a sunflower seed in its bill...

And it really does have a "tuft"...  just not raised here.

As I was sitting inside, using my laptop....

This Hairy woodpecker hopped onto the tree right outside the window.  Look at this guy's big, strong beak!  He's similar to the little Downy woodpecker, but this one is larger, has a longer, stouter beak...  and, if you get the opportunity to look close, you'll see "whisker-like" hairs alongside his beak.

I call these shots "two-fers"

This mourning dove and chipmunk are sharing the ground food.

And, yes, the Ruby-throated hummingbirds are coming to the feeders..

You can barely see the red on his throat.

There's the goldfinch, chickadees, the chipping sparrows and a few others that stop by.  

And I sometimes see but often hear the Towhee, the Catbird, Wood thrush, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, bluebirds, robins, and the list goes on.....  I can thank my mom for passing on to me her interest in the birds and the desire to have them close by.

I took all of these photos either yesterday or today while I was in the motorhome looking out.  It makes a great photo blind!

Yes, we even have squirrels!

The End!

That's All For Today!