March 6, 2013

Pot O' Finches

American Goldfinches

House Finch (Male)

House Finch (Male)

Pine Siskin

American Goldfinches



                             Spring migration has arrived in SC Kansas.  I am seeing Robins by the 100s, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, and Cedar Waxwings.  March came in like a lion here with a couple of snowstorms.  But, we didn't mind as we desperately needed the moisture.


 
Eastern Bluebirds in Watercolor

I have been working in watercolors for the past
3 years.  I enjoy painting birds, flowers and butterflies.  
Here is a link to my flickr photostream if you want
to look at more of my art work.
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindyzlogic/

cindy

February 27, 2013

Fox Sparrow, A Lifer




Fox Sparrow

I was surprised to see a different bird at the feeders.  
I'm pretty sure it's a Fox Sparrow.  Especially after a
couple of birder friends suggested it.  At first I thought it was
a young Harris's Sparrow but at closer inspection I could
see it had different coloring.  It had a black spot in the
middle of it's chest.  It must be migrating because I've 
never seen these before.

After the Snowstorm
The weather channel called it Winter Storm Q
Northern Cardinal (Male)

Junco

Harris's Sparrow

Harris's Sparrow

Northern Cardinal (Female)

February 18, 2013

February Backyard Birds





We got some snow on the 12th that melted
the next day.  This is the only snow we've 
gotten this Winter.  It was actually quite pretty
and the LORD knows we needed the moisture.

February 6, 2013

Early Spring Migrants: Pine Siskins

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin


 We are having lots of Finch activity at the feeders right now.  
We are excited at getting a few Pine Siskins today, too :-) 
  I would say "Spring is on it's way!"


 Look how this Goldfinch is transforming.




 The House Finches are pairing up :-))

Female House Finch

I almost mistook the Pine Siskins for a female House Finch...
but at closer inspection, I noticed the House Finch is larger
in size and has a conical shaped beak.  The Pine Siskin beak
is long, slender and pointy.

cindy

January 25, 2013

Goldfinches






Seeing RED...






White-crowns and Harris's


We're beginning to see Spring birds like
Goldfinches and Robins.  We just had 24 hr. of
cold that brings the White-crowns and Harris's to 
the feeders.  I think about Harris's as my "little chickens"
they behave so much like them.  I grew up on a 
Dairy Farm but we raised chickens for the eggs and 
for eating.

cindy :-))

January 15, 2013

Backyard Birds in SC Kansas

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Eurasian-collared Dove

Carolina Wren

Male Cardinal

Female House Finch


We are having some cold weather but little moisture.  We did get
some snow in sleet and pellets but it melted quickly.
With the cold weather, we get more variety of birds looking
for food.  This is the first year we've gotten the Nuthatches.
We had to clear a lot of bushes and overgrown tree limbs this past
Fall.  Consequently, we are having less White-crown Sparrows and
Harris's Sparrows. 

I've taken these photos through the window
with a Point n' Shoot camera.  I think the sensor
is wearing out...so, I'm sorry about the quality of 
these photographs.
cindy

January 9, 2013

January 2013 Backyard Birds

Carolina Wren

White-crowned Sparrow and Female Cardinal

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Dark-eyed Junco

Junco, New Mexico variation
 
Dark-eyed Junco

White-crowned Sparrow

Harris's Sparrow
 This is all the snow we've gotten so far this Winter.
We got this snow on Christmas day.
Tufted Titmouse

I'm thinking this is a Ring-billed Gull.





 The Gull and this little waterfowl were located
at the fishing pond near town.
At the pond we also see Downey & Red-breasted Woodpeckers, Harris's
Sparrows and Juncos.  We saw a Spotted Towhee and many Cardinals
hanging out at the pond as well.