Birds at feeder

An entire week has gone by without a post. Shame on me for neglecting this blog. Here are some birds at our kitchen window feeder over the weekend. Shot using a borrowed Nikon 105mm macro lens. Kim Klassen texture.

Chickadee at feeder

Taken in the yard this afternoon on a pleasant October day. I just love this color. Have a wonderful Monday, all!

Birdhouse, Memorial Day weekend

My husband enjoys birdhouses and I bought this one for him last year. We've tried it in several different locations but it looks best here, on this tree.
Sunny skies this afternoon here in Maryland. Hope your weekend is a good one.

Striking a pose

This photo of a male red-bellied woodpecker was taken by my husband this afternoon. The zebra-backed woodpecker with its bright red cap is a treat for the eyes. You can read more about it [here], if you like.

Evening at the feeder

My husband took this shot of a female cardinal waiting her turn at the feeder that's hanging from the dogwood tree outside of the kitchen window. The late afternoon sun was shining on the birds as they had their dinner and of the 76 shots he took, this one was my favorite. SOOC (straight out of camera) using a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300mm lens.

Back to normal after all the snow

I took this photo of a slate-colored male juncoe Monday afternoon just as it began to snow again. It snowed off and on through the night and we had another 2 or 3 inches this morning and I drove to work through a wonderful little snowfall. It's good to be back to work again.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300 mm lens

Sparrow in twilight

It was a gray day today and I shot this photo of a sparrow out my kitchen window. Looking forward to a big TV night with Ellen as a new host of the Survivor Singing Show and Lost both on the same night. The excitement mounts. Even the dog is excited. But I think it's only because of his New Favorite Toy in the Whole World. That's why.

Cold day, warm heart

There's ice on the gourd bird house and there's snow on the ground. And in my world, all is well. I love days like this.

Downy Woodpecker

This industrious little woodpecker looks almost identical to the Hairy Woodpecker, but is smaller and has a smaller bill. They love the suet block we have hanging on the dogwood tree. Photo by my husband.
I will be taking a few days off to spend with my family and friends and will post when I can. Until then . . . Happy Holidays to everyone.

Red-winged blackbirds in snow

This is not a remarkable photo as far as I'm concerned. But I like it. A little. I'm taking a cleaning break and trying to get some photos ready to post on the other blog.
D Sharon Pruitt texture applied.

Finches at feeder

I figured out what was wrong with me and the lens. I removed the polarizing filter and voila! I could focus. I don't know what my problem was, but am now loving this borrowed lens. And speaking french.
Ghostbones texture applied.

Weathervane

I liked this weathervane I saw in New York today. Taken off Amsterdam around 79th street somewhere. Beautiful day! I've got more photos on the other blog.

Baby birds

First off, I did NOT take this photo. It was taken by my friend, Tracey. I wanted to post it because it's not too often that one gets to see baby birds in their nest, waiting for their mother to come and feed them.
Great job, Tracey! And she climbed a tree to get this one, mind you.

Naughty bird

A red-winged blackbird takes a little break from all its spring shenanigans. I don't know what he was up to, but everyone was all a-twitter.

Joy St. Claire texture overlay.

Next, please

Another one from the files. Although it isn't the best quality, it has always made me smile.
I took this last April. I'd come home, parked in the driveway and noticed all these birds in a line along the fence. So I ran inside to get the camera, putting the zoom lens on and was surprised to see they were all still there. It was really windy that day and the walnut tree (it's to the right) was blocking the force.

Morning dove

My husband and I sat in the backyard today, facing the dogwood tree with the bird feeders. We had a cup of tea as we talked. This is our first spring at the manor house on the hill and we heard many sounds. A car in the development nearby revved its engine and another answered from a house along our driveway. A pileated woodpecker drummed on one of the trees along the woods. And then we heard a morning dove with its soulful cry. Shortly afterward, it alighted in the tree and I captured a couple of pictures of it. Such a pretty bird.

Little miss shy

Do you really think that I cannot see you peeking from behind the feeder? Well I can, you know. And you are very pretty.
Actually, this photo was taken using continuous shutter and she was caught in the blink of an eye.
Used snow texture from SheisPrettyStock at DeviantArt.

White-throated sparrow

A Sparrow took a Slice of Twig
And thought it very nice
I think, because his empty Plate
Was handed Nature twice--

Invigorated, waded
In all the deepest Sky
Until his little Figure
Was forfeited away--

~ Emily Dickinson, c.1872

Another day, another bluebird

My husband was out taking photos this morning and captured another bluebird. I used the Orton Effect on it, a technique I've described in my other blog today.

Quiet bird

My husband was taking pictures again. This is probably the same bluebird from a post below. It was a quiet day. Nothing too exciting here.