Determined Red-bellied Woodpecker

I watched this red-bellied woodpecker for quite a while. He was determined to get all the hidden seeds from beneath this concrete ball. He is a male and I know that because of his red crown. The female's head is white on top but she does have red going up the back of her head.

 He looks as if he's sharpening his bill but he's throwing the sunflower seed shells. Look closely and you'll see them bouncing off the ground.

I hope you aren't geeting tired of watching these animated live photos called GIFs. I can't get enough of this beautiful fellow; he's one of my favorites. Every now and then I look out my window and see snow flurries. But when I look again they've stopped. Enjoy the last weekend in February and stay warm if it's cold at your house too. 

xo

Late Saturday Afternoon Pictures

I was standing close to the stump and finally got a bird and the leaping deer in the same frame. The birds absolutely love this feeder and it's working just exactly the way I planned it. The sun was low and was shining where the bird is standing.

The sky was a lovely blue late Saturday afternoon an hour before sunset. Have a great weekend.

xo

 

A Video of Birds Feeding on The Stump

 I made a video of the birds feeding here and posted it as a Reel on Instagram. I think it's on a loop and keeps repeating itself but I'm not sure. It starts out like the photo above, zooms in in the middle, and ends with a long view like you see in the still photo above. Watch it HERE.

My handyman stopped by today to clean my gutters just in time for tomorrow's 90% chance of rain and big wind. He's the one that flattened the rod and screwed the weathervane on the stump. He was very pleased the birds liked his handiwork. My tree man liked the video too.

xo

First Front Yard Bird Photos

I am so happy to see my woodpecker friend again.

Yum. These sunflowers seeds are SO good!

Look at that bird just landing with his legs still outstretched.

I like the shadow on the brick wall too.

Look at the bird still in midair on the left.

I am getting reacquainted with my Nikon 35mm camera. The original rechargeable battery finally went completely dead months and months ago. I got the camera in 2005 so that was a really long time for a battery to last, wasn't it? I finally ordered a replacement and it arrived this week, just in time for birdfeeder photos. YAY! 

xo

The Starlings Have Landed

The starlings ate all of the black oil sunflower seeds I spread out on the tree stump today in minutes. The small birds make them last all day. I uploaded a video of these greedy birds to my Instagram Story and saved it as a Highlight. Watch the video HERE. At this rate my 50 pounds of seeds won't last a month. I liked the shadow of the bird on the brick wall in this still photo. Starlings are not native to America. Read the history about how they arrived HERE. xo

For anyone who is bothered by mice and other rodents coming into the house because of the bird seed, please see this article written by a farmer who made up a recipe that works and does not harm any other wildlife. It has only two ingredients: packaged cornbread mix and baking soda. 

Click HERE for the article & recipe.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker at My Feeder

Red-bellied Woodpecker at my feeder.

He's my favorite visitor and he comes often.

Winter is back but most of the snow has melted,

except for my Snow Mountain out front.

Have a great weekend! 🥰

New Finch at My Feeder

I had a new bird at my feeder yesterday, a HOUSE FINCH with beautiful red coloring. Purple finches were among the first birds to visit when I hung this feeder in the fall. The bird books say this is a western songbird bird that has become plentiful in the east and likes to hang out with sparrows. I found an interesting history that says If House Finches discover your feeders, they might bring flocks of 50 or more birds with them. Bring them on! The Juncos on the bottom posts don't mind sharing. xo

My Red-Bellied Woodpecker Hanging On

This bird's body really isn't built to latch on a feeding post, but he figured out a way. Today's photo shows how he manages. Where there's a will, there's a way! It was a lazy, rainy Sunday and I enjoyed it thoroughly. xo

Sparrows and More Birds

Sparrows for tammy j

Click photo to enlarge. Several sparrows on the railing and one perched atop the suet. They are surrounded by Juncos, a bird in flight and finches at the feeder. A typical day at Rosemary's Bird Station. xo

First Winter Sighting: A Little Wren

Little Jenny Wren

I went out to Ace Hardware yesterday and picked up two suet cakes and they created no bird activity whatsoever. My feathered friends didn't seem at all interested in this rare treat. Installing it was no easy task either. But today I spotted one of my favorite summer birds pecking away. The little house wren found the suet and knew just what to do. Then a Downy Woodpecker followed suit and was able to latch on as well. I honestly thought there would be a flurry of activity but I was wrong. I didn't realize the wrens were year-round residents but I guess they are hardy little birds. I hope Jenny returns soon. Click my photo to enlarge. xo

So Many Bird Feeders

Sunday Snow with Birds

My snow just started (Sunday 8:30am) and it is scheduled to quit around 3:00 this afternoon. I filled the birds' feeding tube so I'm all set to stay inside and enjoy cottage life. Stay cozy and watch the Super Bowl if you are a football fan. xo

Mourning Doves at My Cottage Today

I took this photo in the morning before it started snowing. It was cold as you can see by the puffed up one on the left and I am thrilled that the one on the right is turned to show his true colors.

I got a nice frontal profile on this one. The first snow was just a nice dusting that I could sweep away with the greatest of ease -- my favorite kind. xo

Chickadee and Downy Woodpecker at My Feeder

My birds, large and small, as illustrated by this Chickadee portrait. I have already featured the Red-bellied Woodpecker by himself. Chickadees are hard to capture because they don't stay on the perch very long. They just grab a seed and fly away very quickly.

The Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor but he has a much harder time latching on to a perch than the large woodpecker above who is quite the expert. Both of these woodpeckers feed from my balcony floor too when the smaller birds are hogging the feeder. I use my Nikon camera for bird photography because of the telephoto lense. Enjoy your Sunday.  xo

Male Cardinal: Bird Portrait

I get pairs of cardinals all the time but they mostly peck at the thrown seeds on the balcony floor and that's not a very good background for a portrait. I hardly ever see them on a perch at the feeder. I think the females are lovely too and one of these days I hope one will pose for me. I am trying to get a decent photo of all the birds that visit my feeder. See you tomorrow. xo

Red-bellied woodpecker at my Feeder

He is my favorite bird thus far and the showiest because of his size and beautiful red head. I hope he won't hold it against me when I get my sunflower kernels only bird seed without any peanuts and other tree nuts in the mix. Otherwise, I would be headed to the poor house in no time. This large woodpecker has an easier time at my feeder than the much smaller Downy Woodpecker who doesn't always latch on a perch the first try. But he perseveres and eventually lands and feeds. I am a happy bird lady and will continue to show you photographs whenever I get a great one. Happy Friday. xo

Bird Feeder on My Balcony

I went on a possible listing appointment this week and fell in love with the house and the amazing property. There were bird feeders everywhere and the birds were abundant. The owners introduced me to a "no waste" bird mixture that peaked my interest. I went to the nearby store they mentioned (Ace Hardware) and found bird food that met my needs. The label said it was for decks, porches, and patios and was no waste. All the seeds and nuts are shelled so there are no hulls to fall to the ground that might attract mice. I attached one of my tall step-in poles to my iron railing with two zip ties and pointed the hook toward the house. Any debris that might fall could be easily cleaned up. No birds have come yet because it has been years since I fed them. But they will eventually discover this feeding station that overlooks my catbird seat on the sofa and I might put another one closer to my kitchen window. I'll keep you posted on how long it takes for the birds to arrive. Happy Sunday. xo