Spring Images

 Grape Hyacinth

This is the 3rd season for them.  I planted some

Daffodils last Fall...the greens popped up but

no blooms.

 Goldfinches

As you can see, they were getting a bit

aggressive.  We've been having a lot of rain 

and overcast skies here in SC Kansas.

This week we are seeing fewer Goldfinches 

at the feeders.  Did they go further North?

 Eurasian-collared Dove

There are a pair of these Doves feeding on

the back deck.

 

 I am wondering if this may be a 

Lesser Goldfinch?  We had one last year and

I heard they were rare for our area.

 We've had this different colored Junco all

Winter.  They sure are pretty!

 Pigeon-toed

Even though this is a Mourning Dove :-)

 Mourning Doves are enjoying the birdseed, too!

 Robins are building this nest right out in 

our front yard.  We weren't sure if this young

Paper Birch was going to make it through the

intense heat of last year.  Half of the leaves

fell off because of early 90 degree

heat.  We are seeing buds.  I hope we don't have a repeat of 

last Spring and Summer's heat.  If we do, we 

made need to purchase a swimming pool.

Spring Lilies

I hope everyone is having a great

Spring!! 

Still Enamored with Finches

Happy "Wordless Wednesday"

Lots of Finches

 Back on the 12th we got 6" of snow and lots

of American Goldfinches.  I know these photos are

kind of gray-ish but the sweet Goldfinches gave a

burst of cheery color to an overcast day.

We are back in the 50's and 1 hail storm since.

I didn't dodge the flu bullet so I'm working on getting

my energy back.  I've sure enjoyed reading

everyone's blogs :-)

Spring Birds are Arriving

 Cardinal

 House Finch

 Harris's Sparrows

 Collage of backyard birds

American Goldfinches

We noticed Goldfinches on the deck and we weren't prepared

at all.  Well, hubby went and bought some Nyjer Thistle

and filled the feeder.  It has been full of finches ever since.  

We haven't seen any Pine Siskins yet.  The House Finches and

Robins arrived about the same time.  I took all but one of these photos

through the window.  I captured the pic of the Mockingbird

while out on my walk.  He sits in the same bush, so I brought my

camera and captured the shot.  He's a big, juicy, fat one :-)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Mosaic Maker

I'm experimenting with "Big Huge Labs" website.

One of the blogs I follow has her pictures arranged

in mosaic format, 4 panels, 3 pics, etc.  She posted 

a tutorial...and it works.  I linked to my flickr account 

for the photos I'm using above.

Here is a link to her blog and the tutorial:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/making-photo-mosaics-tutorial.html

Winter Birds in January

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Juncos

Black-capped Chickadees

Harris's Sparrow

Downy Woodpecker

These are some of the birds that have been visiting

the feeders.  We've been having a mild Winter with

just a small dusting of snow.  It's quite dry out so we

could use the moisture.  Some health issues have

been keeping me away from the computer as of late

but, I'm feeling better, so here is my first post

for the new year :-)

Happy New Year !!

My Backyard in November

An unwanted visitor!

Harris's Sparrow

Black-capped Chickadee

Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

Tufted Titmouse

Black-capped Chickadee

     Today, it is cold and blustery and is suppose

to get down to 24 degrees tonight. This kind of 

weather is usually what brings our Winter migrants.

We (my husband and I) hadn't put out any birdseed

for about a month.  We purchased new seed, put it 

out, then began having House Sparrow visits the first week.

     The next week we put out some suet and began seeing the 

Chickadees arrive.  Last week we had more frequent

Chickadee visits and then the Titmice began to come.  I love their

sweet little faces!  The last few days the Cardinals have

found their way back to our feeding station :-))  and we saw our 

first Dark-eyed Junco.  

     I looked out the window this afternoon...and lo & behold, 

there were 2 Harris's Sparrows!!  Next, we'll be waiting in anticipation

for the arrival of the White-crowned Sparrows.  I know the White-crowns

are here because we spotted them at the Chaplin Nature Center earlier this

week.  We also saw Harris's and what I believe was a Vesper Sparrow.  I

saw one that looked like a Harris, but had too much white coloration.  I

may have been looking at a Lapland Longspur.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone gets to spend it with those you love :-))