Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Waukonda]

Once again, poor background and lighting, but thought I would post this twofer pic of Baldys. I saw 3 or 4 others this past week, but no good photo ops.

[TPK]

Once again, poor background and lighting, but thought I would post this twofer pic of Baldys. I saw 3 or 4 others this past week, but no good photo ops.

[Waukonda]

[WillyCamaro]

[doglegg]

Ike you are posting some great pics and seeing some awesome birds. Thanks.

[Quick Steel]

[Quick Steel]

[Waukonda]

QS

[Steve Warden]

QS

I'll second that

[Paladin]

IMG_5798.jpg

QS,
I tried one of the suet blocks at one time with no success. It looked about like the one showing in these photos. I mounted it on the trunk of my big oak tree. I never saw a bird on it. It just sat there and turned nearly black. What did I do wrong?

Ray

[Quick Steel]

I'm sure you did nothing wrong. Do you commonly have freezing temps during the winter? I find that the coldest days draw the most activity at the suet. Almost any species will go for the suet when the air is freezing. As you can see I place my suet out in the open only because I don't have a suitable tree nearby; but it seems to work well. Easy to see and easy to access.

[bighomer]

[doglegg]

IMG_5798.jpg

QS,
I tried one of the suet blocks at one time with no success. It looked about like the one showing in these photos. I mounted it on the trunk of my big oak tree. I never saw a bird on it. It just sat there and turned nearly black. What did I do wrong?

Ray

Ray, I had the same experience here in DFW.

QS those are great shots!!!

[Quick Steel]

Thank you doglegg. If its not due to weather I hope someone can figure out why birds are not responding to suet. Of course if it turns black it is surely rancid and not good for birds.

[Quick Steel]

A few minutes ago I had my first ever visit from a Black-Capped Chickadee.

[doglegg]

A pleasant, unexpected surprise.

[WAYNED]

Just rambling and found this bird topic and it reminds me of the few years we had the little Yellow Birds that swarmed the suet/thistle socks my wife hung on the clothes line and those socks full of seed seemingly got gone over a couple days.So much fun to watch but as time rolls on here in the outskirts of the Big City of Sandy Mush,NC - I am guilty of feeding anything that flies over..Doves,Sparrows,Blackbirds,Crows,Woodpeckers and the list is almost endless...even a Squirrel or two, they all love the Wild Bird seed and table scraps available in our back yard.160 pounds of seed feeds and fattens a lot of our feathered friends as the days pass..Oh well,that's my 2 cents worth..Y'all have a knife day..

[treefarmer]

Lookin' good, Brother! Keep feedin' the birds and critters.
Treefarmer

[Quick Steel]

Wayned, I think I may just have to get a tray like yours. Looks supremely practical providing you do not use it as well for its intended purpose.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I went out to the bald eagle nest near me today to see if mating and egg laying had occurred yet. I saw one of the birds in the tree near the nest, but did not see the other one. I kept an eye on the nest for awhile to see if I could see the female sitting on eggs in the nest. One problem which became apparent last year is that the nest is absolutely huge and deep. Every year the eagles add sticks to the nest and over time it gets bigger and deeper. Last year I could barely see the top of the females head when she sat on the eggs. The nest is about 60 feet up in a big cottonwood tree, and looking up from the ground level also gives an angle disadvantage to seeing her. Then just when I was ready to leave, I saw the other bird fly up and land in a different part of the tree. So as of yet, no incubating of eggs, but I would expect any day now. Seems to me if I remember they laid and started incubating around the end of January the last 2 years. Besides the camera, I also take a telescope just to sit and watch these magnificent birds.

[Quick Steel]

Great shot OC.

[doglegg]

X2

[Waukonda]

If only there were some identifying characteristic showing in this picture, I would then be able to put a species name to this Hawk.

[Steve Warden]

Ya know, Ike, I've read tales of hawks...
hmmm..... yeah, hmmmm.....

[doglegg]

Did you say read tails...... or red tails. Seems to show a little red on the tail.