11 Sunday Nov 2018
Posted in colonial lake
Tags
colonial lake, photography, postaday, robin, sparrow, squirrel
Squirrel at Colonial Lake.
Robin at Colonial Lake.
Sparrow at Colonial Lake.
Great Blue Heron at Colonial Lake.
27 Wednesday Apr 2016
Posted in Photography
Sparrow.
Downy Woodpecker.
Seagull.
Sparrow.
Tufted Titmouse.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron.
24 Sunday Jan 2016
Posted in Photography
Tags
blizzard, bluejay, cardinal, dark-eyed junco, jones, photography, postaday, red-bellied woodpecker, sparrow, tufted titmouse
The blizzard of 2016, Jonas, turned out to be one for the records. The amount of snow dumped on our region approached or even exceeded all-time records dating back to the 19th century. I did not measure it at our house, but it took us three and a half hours to clear our driveway, even with a snowblower and three of us working.
Here are a few photos of some of the birds that came to our backyard during the blizzard, with all photos taken through the patio glass door, not an optimal setting.
Blue Jay. One of its feathers was torn loose.
Cardinal. He was brilliant red!
Dark-eyed Junco.
Sparrow.
Tufted Titmouse.
Red-bellied Woodpecker, with Dark-eyed Juncos around it.
Our deck this morning, after Jonas passed through.
Finally, another shot of that cute Blue Jay.
Blue Jay.
15 Sunday Nov 2015
Posted in Photography
Chipping Sparrows are one of the most common birds in North America. They are named after their trilling songs or calls, which consist of fast chipping sounds produced at high notes.
Yesterday was a cold and windy day, with a somber mood coincidentally reflecting the tragic events in Paris the day before. A Chipping Sparrow perched on our yellow magnolia tree, giving me ample time to take the following photos.
Chipping Sparrow on magnolia branch.
Chipping Sparrow.
17 Tuesday Feb 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
It snowed last night. When I got up this morning, six inches were on the ground and the snow was still coming down, light and fluffy.
This is a shot of our backyard. If you look carefully, you’ll see four Cardinals on the magnolia tree, and one at the feeder. On the upper right hand corner you will also see the Red-bellied Woodpecker on an oak tree branch.
Magnolia tree, left, and bird feeder
A couple of Cardinals posed in a rare family portrait.
Cardinals family portrait
Many song sparrows weathered the snowfall, perched on the magnolia branches.
Sparrows
One even got into the Cardinal family photo.
Cardinals and Sparrow
I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this brilliant Cardinal who posed for me.
Cardinal
05 Thursday Feb 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
cardinal, house finch, junco, magnolia, photography, postaday, sparrow
If you are getting bored of my BIF photos, this following picture, taken at Holgate two weeks ago, is for you.
Gull yawning
All right, so no more BIF today.
The other day, while trying to capture the Red-bellied Woodpecker in flight, I noticed our magnolia tree was getting loaded with birds.
Three Cardinals and one Sparrow
That was not the end of it. One more bird hopped on.
Three Cardinals, one Sparrow, one Junco
Then there was our House Finch next to a Junco.
House Finch and Junco
29 Thursday Jan 2015
Posted in Photography
I never thought a sparrow would bully a woodpecker and get away with it. But the following photos taken today show that did in fact happen.
Sparrow yelling at Downy Woodpecker
Sparrow chasing Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker in tatters
23 Wednesday Apr 2014
Posted in Photography
Tags
Sparrows are one of the most common birds seen throughout the world. Because of that, and because sometimes they can be actual pests when they eat seed crops, they are not usually held in high regard.
Since I’ve been photographing birds, I have noticed subtle differences between various species of sparrows, especially when I look at the captured images blown-up on a big screen monitor. Following are some of them, taken over the past three years.
Sparrow on magnolia branch
Chipping Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow
Note that juncos and some finches may also belong to species related to sparrows.
21 Tuesday Jan 2014
Posted in Photography
Tags
As I am writing this, a snow storm is raging outside, and most companies and schools have sent everyone home since noon. Six inches of the white powdery stuff have fallen so far, with more coming well into the night. By tomorrow it could add up to a foot of snow.
Looking through my files, I found an image of a sparrow from two years ago, right after a similar snowfall. It was perched on a branch of a magnolia tree near our bird feeder.
Sparrow on magnolia branch
