Small Birds in Snow Storm

Tags

american goldfinch, caroline chickadee, northern cardinal, photography, postaday, white-breasted nuthatch

Even though temperatures plunged and the wind was fierce, our area only got a dusting of snow. I filled the bird feeder beforehand, and for the past two days bird traffic picked up significantly, even while snow was falling. All the birds looked fluffier and bigger than in warmer months.

American Goldfinch.

Female Northern Cardinal, with Junco and Sparrow in background.

Male Northern Cardinal during a squall.

Male Northern Cardinal, in a moment of temporary calm.

Carolina Chickadee.

White-breasted Nuthatch.

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Wordless Wednesday

Tags

american goldfinch, photography, postaday

American Goldfinch.

American Goldfinch.

American Goldfinch.

Birds in Autumn

Tags

american goldfinch, bald eagle, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, canada geese, Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, photography, postaday, red-winged blackbird

The American Goldfinch stands out with its bright yellow coloring in Spring and Summer. The rest of the year, when they are not breeding, their colors are more subdued, even drab, although they still remain very cute.

American Goldfinch.

American Goldfinch.

Another ubiquitous bird is the Red-winged Blackbird.

Red-winged Blackbird at Edwin B Forsythe NWR..

The female Red-winged Blackbird does not have that red and yellow patch on her wings.

Female Red-winged Blackbird at Edwin B Forsythe NWR..

In the fall, Red-winged Blackbirds often join with European Starlings to form flocks of birds that roam through refuges, importuning even Bald Eagles.

Bald Eagle at Blackwater NWR being buzzed by Red-winged Blackbird.

The smaller birds temporarily took over a favorite perch of the Bald Eagles at Blackwater NWR.

Red -winged Blackbirds swarming a Bald Eagle favorite tree.

Finallly, many flocks of Canada Geese flew over the non-migrating Bald Eagle.

Canada Geese flying over Bald Eagle at Blackwater NWR.

Canada Geese at Blackwater NWR.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Others

Tags

american goldfinch, norther cardinal, photography, postaday, rose-breasted grosbeak

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is now a regular at our bird feeder where he takes his time munching on sunflower seeds until he has his fill, or until Blue Jays come and chase him away. Today I used my camera with a tripod to get some better photos of him.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak:”So you really wanted to take my picture, huh?”

What about the American Goldfinch who started all these photo shoots? Here he is.

American Goldfinch.

He was joined today by a pair of Cardinals who waited patiently for the Blue Jays to finish their meals.

Male Northern Cardinal.

Female Northern Cardinal.

Goldfinch in Snowstorm

Tags

american goldfinch, photography, postaday

Same storm, different bird. An American Goldfinch tried to get to the bird feeder, but since it was so windy and snowy, the bird eventually took refuge under the magnolia branches.

American Goldfinch, at lower left, flying toward feeder as a Dark-eyed Junco watched.

American Goldfinch on magnolia branch.

American Goldfinch in a pensive mood.