All About Pocket Knives

bighomer wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 4:38 pm TWO pileated visited at the same time this morning, I've thought that there was maybe more than one visiting and this verified it. 20210219_075017.jpg

So, what are you going to name 'em?

Great looking Bluebird photos!

For the 2nd day in a row, a Goldfinch has finagled his way to the inside of one of my feeders and not been able to get out. I rescued him both times.

A great save Ike.

I've been calling the one Mr. P. So maybe Mr. and Mrs. P.

I've been calling the one Mr. P. So maybe Mr. and Mrs. P.

This is the first year that I've noticed blue birds coming to my suet hangers. Most years I buy the dried worms but the wrens ate more of that than the bluebirds did. The boss threw out some popcorn that we didn't eat a few weeks ago, and they absolutely loved it, so guess who buying popcorn for the bluebirds.

Yesterday, the 25th, the first Robin of the year passed by. Today a second Black Capped Chickadee joined our winter resident.

Ike, a couple of times I have had small birds somehow get inside my feeders. Certainly a very odd find! I was able to release my captives unharmed.

Very interesting photos, QS, Homer, and Ike.

This is pretty much, a repeat of Hawk pics that I posted a couple months ago, except the sky was more blue today.

I've heard them for many years, BUT TODAY was the first time I've seen one - in person!!!
BARRED OWL

Photo isn't all that good....
EDIT....and 2 Sandhill Cranes were yelping their brans out today...

Owls are unusual sightings for me, Scott. Nice photos!

I like the last photo of that Red-tailed Hawk, Ike. It is a very light specimen.

There's never a dull moment looking at the Bird Thread!
The Sandhill Cranes sure do make a racket as Scott reported as do the Pileated Woodpeckers. We don't have any Sandhill Cranes in this part of the state but when we lived in Central Florida many years ago there were a few around but now they seem to be very common, kinda like the Canadian Geese the decide to move to the south and forget the migration thing.
Seeing the picture of the Finch in the feeder that Ike posted and reading Mel's comment, reminded me that on several occasions we have had Oak snakes in our bird feeders. I've dispatched several of them over the years for violating air space. Last season Miss Joy got all excited seeing one in a feeder hanging in the Live Oak in the front yard. Before I could get to him, we observed the Oak snake actually catch a Chickadee in flight! Probably the most interesting thing I've observed when it comes the birds in our yard.
Treefarmer

This is a wonderful thread and the pic's!!!! Didn't have my camera this morning walking the dog when I saw a bird on the ground that just didn't look right. As we got a little closer it flew into a tree and was carrying a pigeon. I did not follow it as I didn't want to pressure it with it's kill. I think it was a sharp shinned hawk but I'm not very good at hawk identification. Sure an exciting experience. Went back later and there were feathers everywhere. Amazing hunters.

Finally defeated a squirrel who had been stealing entire trays of suet. He had learned to unlatch the little cage and drag out the plastic containers. I used twisties to secure the latches. I see where he tried to remove one of the ties but it defeated him.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 1:39 am Finally defeated a squirrel who had been stealing entire trays of suet. He had learned to unlatch the little cage and drag out the plastic containers. I used twisties to secure the latches. I see where he tried to remove one of the ties but it defeated him.

A victory.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:17 pm For the 2nd day in a row, a Goldfinch has finagled his way to the inside of one of my feeders and not been able to get out. I rescued him both times.

This is really nice, Ike.

I would have been honored to be holding that little bird.

I have had a family of 4 Robins scratching around in my back yard for the last 2 or 3 days. I guess spring is just around the corner.

Ray

Robins have returned here too this week. But the bad news is the old saying here in this part of the country "It always snows 3 times on the robins". It snowed 4 times on the robins last spring here.

I was out by our local fairgrounds today and there in the grassy parking lot this pair of Killdeer were looking around like they are preparing for nesting.

Also living at the fairgrounds along with the Killdeer are these Franklin ground squirrels. There is a small colony there with many burrows and underground dens. They are a hibernating species so on warm days like today with the sun out and about 60 degrees, they are out running around. They would be very similar to the prairie dog from western South Dakota but smaller, half size or less with a longer tail. Around this part of the country they also go by the name "flickertail".

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:47 pm I was out by our local fairgrounds today and there in the grassy parking lot this pair of Killdeer were looking around like they are preparing for nesting.

IMG_4156 (2).JPG

Nice pics! I have yet to see any Killdeer.

We don't have ground squirrels in S Illinois, interesting pics.

Killdeer were present here about two weeks ago.

Paladin wrote: ↑Sun Mar 07, 2021 2:41 am I have had a family of 4 Robins scratching around in my back yard for the last 2 or 3 days. I guess spring is just around the corner.

Ray

Robins never leave here like they once did. You’ll see bunches occasionally, but they’re always Robins here throughout winter.

Got this shot the other day of the Mallard pair "Making Ripples on the Pond".

Cool photos, Olde Cutler.

I was out in the country a few days ago and go this shot of a Kestrel. Also saw some Vultures ... My garden has been busy lately. I had a visit from a small flock of Spice Finches. I think I have seen them about once a year for the last three years. Here is a little fellow that I have not able to identify. Maybe a weakly marked Pine Warbler? It has been hanging around my garden for a month of more. For you folks who like burrowing things, here is a recent visitor to my garden.