In my downstairs travels there are many times when I don't see much. In fact, that's more likely than not. The neat thing however is that when I do see a lot of opportunities to get some good pictures they are everywhere! My biggest problem at those times is not, "will I get a good picture?", it's more "where do I point my camera first?, who's the subject that I don't have a good photograph of?, or which one do I want to take photographs of first?" Today was that sort of day!Today's adventure started out at 9:30am. I got up around 8:00am, stumbled around for about thirty minutes, made some coffee, got the bird food ready to take downstairs, took a shower, got dressed and headed downstairs to see who would like their picture taken? I heard numerous different birds as I spilled the food on our platform feeder; Red Winged Blackbirds, a Red Bellied Woodpecker, a Northern Cardinal, and a few that I think were Titmice.
Secured into my usual spot, I waited. It wasn't long until the Red Winged Blackbirds were dotting the oak tree directly in front of me, making their usual trills and whistles. A few stopped on the feeder for a quick bite, then as quickly as they came, they left. The next visitor was the Northern Cardinal. I am always so pleased when the male comes to the feeder. He's become very used to my presence and he isn't anywhere as shy as he used to be.I got a quick glimpse of a shadow on the ground and suddenly, all was silent. It was deafening! In one moment there were approximately 100 or so birds sitting in front of me, stock still and not making a sound, when a few seconds before their songs filled the trees and surrounding area. I scanned the sky for the shadow maker and never did find it. After a wait of about 40 minutes, I gave up and came inside.
At about 2:00pm I again decided to try my photographic luck, so outback I went. I'd noticed as I was getting up to get a second batch of birdseed ready that there was a raccoon on the feeder. Note: Though raccoons are pretty cool animals, this activity will put a damper on my bird feeding/picture taking excursion.
When I got downstairs the raccoon politely relinquished the bird feeder and moseyed off into the woods, following the stream to who knows where? It was quiet; very quiet. I did see some movement in the bushes to my right, and caught a quick glimpse of a Common Yellowthroat, but he never came out for his photo op! As I stood there I wondered just how long it would be before an opportunity presented itself? Thankfully I didn't have to wait long.As if a switch was clicked, the chipping, chirping and chortling started. It seemed louder than ever before. A Gray Catbird came to the feeder for a quick bite, (I think a pumpkin seed), and then left to not return. The Red Bellied Woodpecker came almost out of nowhere, grabbed a peanut and flew to his usual tree knot to pound it open. This activity happened three times and every time it was, land, get a peanut and fly away.
My usual backyard birds were, all in all, very cooperative today. Here are a few photographs. Enjoy...
