All About Pocket Knives

The Mrs. made an appearance this morning. She, for some reason, took off as soon as hubby showed up.

I've recently enjoyed visits to my feeders from a couple of unexpected guests. A Common Flicker (Yellow Shafted Variety) and a Mockingbird have both sampled from the buffet. I could not get a decent shot of the mockingbird because it refused to be still even for a moment.

Thanks, Fellows!

Nice variety under the feeder, Steve. I count four species.

The Flicker is a great bird to have coming to the feeder, Phil. I am not so enthused about Mockingbirds, probably because they are just about the most common bird in my garden.

This is the first week in several years that I have had a group of Purple Finches at my feeders. Here are a couple of females along with a Chickadee. This is the second year in a row that a House Wren has decided to winter in our garden. In the first photo I think he is cleaning his beak: In the second just enjoying early morning sun. This last bird was a bit hard to identify: it only comes at night. It does not fly very well: maybe a Whip-poor-will?

philco wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 2:02 pm I've recently enjoyed visits to my feeders from a couple of unexpected guests. A Common Flicker (Yellow Shafted Variety) and a Mockingbird have both sampled from the buffet. I could not get a decent shot of the mockingbird because it refused to be still even for a moment.

Hey, Phil, mockingbirds are common in my area, but I've never had one come to the feeder.
Are they coming to the suet?
I know flickers will probe for grubs during the warmer months. We have those up 'round here, as well.
If it is the suet drawing both those species, I may have to get back to offering it. I stopped when the starlings discovered it. They'll swarm in 3-4 dozen in a flock and run all the other birds out. Squirrels get up into the suet, as well.

[quote

Hey, Phil, mockingbirds are common in my area, but I've never had one come to the feeder.
Are they coming to the suet?
I know flickers will probe for grubs during the warmer months. We have those up 'round here, as well.
If it is the suet drawing both those species, I may have to get back to offering it. I stopped when the starlings discovered it. They'll swarm in 3-4 dozen in a flock and run all the other birds out. Squirrels get up into the suet, as well.
[/quote]

Steve it's not at all uncommon for a mockingbird to hang out here, but I'd never had one come to my feeder until recently. The mockingbird was dining on the suet. The flicker was chowing down on a mealworm infused seed cake.

Dinadan wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 2:37 pm Thanks, Fellows!

Nice variety under the feeder, Steve. I count four species.

Thanks. Yup - cardinal, dove, junco and sparrow.
Also common are nuthatch, chickadee, titmouse, blue jay, red bellied woodpecker, finch and squirrel.
I'm pleased with the juncos. Last year I didn't see many.

A nice selection of birds, Steve, Phil, and Mel.
A Whipporwill, huh? I don't remember their tails looking like that.

I was walking past a thicket to day while out with the dog and I saw 10 to 12 towhees. They are pretty common here in the summer but normally, I will only see them occasionally during the Winter.

Here is a R W Blackbird for Steve. I also added a picture of the Brown Creeper which continues to come around daily for a little suet. Not a great picture, but you may be able to see the length and curvature of his bill, which stands out on such a tiny bird.

All you guys are getting great shots:Mel, Philco, Ike, and anyone else I fail to mention. If it were not for the Cardinals and White-Crowned Sparrows, and occasional Red-Bellied Woodpecker my birding is a complete bust. I think they may be in self-quarantine.

Anyone in need of House Sparrows?

A lone White-Crowned

Thanks Ike.
I like it!

Chilly foggy morning, good morning for birds though.

Great pictures, BH. That Pileated has become a regular at your smorgasbord.

Thanks for the great pictures from everyone. Never seen a mockingbird at any of our feeders, unless it’s to bully and chase away other birds. For the most part the weather here hasn’t been bad enough yet this year to cause many species to show up at the feeders, aside from a few cardinals, chickadees and titmouse. That’s not unusual and will likely change by January.

Ken

I think mockingbirds are not seed eaters but bug eaters. They do like meal worms.

Check out the tail on this Goldfinch, it seems exceptionally white as compared to most. It has been coming around daily with others that don't exhibit this much white in the tail. It also appears to have retained more yellow than most, but I don't think that would be related, I think it is just a color aberration on the tail.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:39 pm Great pictures, BH. That Pileated has become a regular at your smorgasbord.

Yes and he's a welcome guest, gorgeous bird imo.
Mocking birds eat suet at my house when they can't find other food. They will also eat bread and raisins.
The usual bunch for breakfast this morning.

Nice pictures Buddy!

Not the greatest photos, but I saw a group of Cedar Waxwings while out walking this morning. It was nice to come across something different than Blue Jays, Cardinals, Woodpeckers and White Throated Sparrows, the species that usually dominate my walks.

Great pics of beautiful birds!
I saw my first Cedar Waxwing back in '71, at the feeder my grandfather had set up for the winter. He set it up in the center of a semi-circle of small fir trees he cut from the woods out back of his place. The trees gave the birds some security around the feeder. Cedar Waxwing, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, more Chickadees than you could shake a stick at, Blue Jay, Evening Grosbeak, and more. Loved watching them from the dining room window.

Anyway, back to the WaxWings. I never saw another one until my wife and I were taking a stroll through a new-to-us park a couple of years ago. Like your pics show, they were out in abundance. As I said, beautiful birds.

bighomer, thanks for the fine photos. I am beginning to wonder how long will that utility pole last given all the attention it receives from woodpeckers especially the Piliated.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Thu Dec 24, 2020 7:41 pm bighomer, thanks for the fine photos. I am beginning to wonder how long will that utility pole last given all the attention it receives from woodpeckers especially the Piliated.

I was thinking the same!

Great shots, BH

Me too.

I'm more worried about my my suet basket, he had that thing a swinging this a.m. CEMC will replace the pole I have to spring for new baskets.
Late this afternoon.

Morning fare, deer love bird food, who knew?