March 30, 2011

Nature Sketchbook: Tufted Titmouse

This is a sketch of a Titmouse using Julie G.'s photo as a reference. Thank you, Julie, for a wonderful capture. My plan for the sketchbook is to make a sketch of all the birds that visit our backyard. The sketch is colored with Prismacolor Watercolor pencils.

It's been a little chilly so we've been keeping the suet feeder full. Good thing, because I was able to snap a pic of this cute little Downy today.

I got such a kick out of this Robin's expression :-)
He's well balanced...chips on both shoulders.

Pretty, fluffy little House Finch. So happy they've arrived :-)

I thought this was a sweet little fat one.
He's probably just fluffed up against the cold.

How do you like this super yellow fluff ~ ball :-))
He was waiting for a spot at the feeder below.

March 4, 2011

Finchey Friday




The finch feeder was totally full today! The cooler weather probably had a hand in that...plus...and a BIG plus...my husband filled up the Thistle feeder :-))
We still have Harris's Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos feeding from the feeders on the deck. I know that I'll be saying farewell soon until next Winter to these favorites.
Happy Friday all!!

February 15, 2011

Pine Siskin: A Lifer!!










I am happy to add to my "lifer" list...Pine Siskin...I didn't know they were finches. They are the same size as the Goldfinches and House Finches. They have a stripey breast with the stripes being a light brown color. They have a yellow wing bar and some yellow on their tails. At first I mistook them as female House Finches until I got a closer look at their beak. Pine Siskins have a pointy beak and House Finches have a conical shape beak.

The Junco I have pictured is the prettiest colored Junco I have ever seen. It is the only one I have seen with that color of plumage. I wasn't sure if it was a Junco...is it a Junco??

HaPpY VaLeNtInE's DaY!! Everybody :-))

February 9, 2011

Wings on Wednesday



The backyard birds were quite abundant as we've just experienced another snowstorm. This system dumped about 10" of snow over night. It's cold but the sun is shining today. I think it's suppose to warm up toward the end of the week and the snow will gone. So, actually it's a novelty to have some (speaking as a person who grew up in South Dakota). We've had a variety of birds coming to feed: Harris's Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, and a few House Sparrows. I haven't seen the White-crowned Sparrows yet today. We're really enjoying it and will enjoy it while it lasts!
Happy Wednesday!! Everyone :-))

January 3, 2011

No Snow, Few Birds


American Goldfinch
by cindyzlogic

Tufted Titmouse
by cindyzlogic

Dark-eyed Junco
by cindyzlogic

Dark-eyed Junco
by cindyzlogic

Tufted Titmouse
by cindyzlogic

Cardinal, female
by cindyzlogic

I have finished up with Christmas and New Year celebrations and I'm half done packing away the Christmas decor. We had a great time with our kids and grandkids this holiday season! We have not had any snow yet or icy weather. We did have a few very cold days, though. We're not having the usual bird activity in the backyard and I would suppose that's because there is plenty of food not covered in snow. Like today, I saw 1 Chickadee, 1 male Cardinal, 1 White-crowned Sparrow, 1 Dark-eyed Junco, and "the bunch" of H. Sparrows. I'm going to need to venture out looking for birds to photograph. It looks like the temps will be in the 50's for a couple days...perfect for walking/birding/photographing. Wish me luck :-))

Happy New Year!! Everyone!!