| Author | Content |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:15 AM Post #4724534
| Today started out very cold and overcast but this afternoon was sunny and just a little windy and cold. I would like to share some of the pics I took walking around the yard and fields.
This is a Male Downy Woodpecker having a nice time at the suet feeder.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:17 AM Post #4724540
| Then the female showed up! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:18 AM Post #4724545
| I can't repeat what he said to her! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:20 AM Post #4724556
| The Female Cardinal was sitting on the fence watching the whole thing! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:22 AM Post #4724558
| And the Male Cardinal watched from the tree! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:24 AM Post #4724568
| while another Card, Goldfinches and Female Cowbird ate at the feeder. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:26 AM Post #4724579
| same thing going on down on the ground!
Cardinal, Goldfinches and Female Red-Wing Blackbird.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:29 AM Post #4724587
| the little Carolina Chickadee was putting on a show also... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:30 AM Post #4724592
| #2 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:31 AM Post #4724597
| #3 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:33 AM Post #4724603
| the Tufted Titmouse was playing cat and mouse with me! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:34 AM Post #4724610
| the Mourning Dove wanted nothing to do with us... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:36 AM Post #4724617
| the Female Red-wing Blackbird was just interested in the seeds that dropped to the ground... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:38 AM Post #4724619
| and the Female Cowbird apologized for being a cowbird... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:40 AM Post #4724626
| the American Goldfinches had to admit that they were becoming more beautiful with each passing day... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:41 AM Post #4724630
| although some are not as boisterous... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:44 AM Post #4724637
| the White Throated Sparrow was not amused... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:45 AM Post #4724645
| and let me know it! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:47 AM Post #4724649
| and decided to just blend in... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:49 AM Post #4724654
| The White Crowned Sparrow wanted his moment in the sun... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:50 AM Post #4724656
| but Sweet Little Junco hid as well as possible... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:52 AM Post #4724658
| The American Robin landed as far away as possible and didn't think the zoom lense would catch him... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:53 AM Post #4724659
| but 2 little pics are as good as 1 big pic...right? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:55 AM Post #4724664
| Now that I want to take a close up of the Starlings...they won't come near! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:57 AM Post #4724668
| A day on the farm would not be complete without Super Bluebird! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:59 AM Post #4724674
| and it is mandatory to check the pond to make sure it is holding water. One of these days I visualize all kinds of wildlife here...right now my little dog Blackie is as wild as it gets! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
1:01 AM Post #4724681
| I hope you had a nice visit to the farm...
The End!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
1:10 AM Post #4724700
| P.S. By the way..he asked her out to dinner and she accepted!! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 29, 2008
1:55 AM Post #4724777
| Wonderful thread Rose!!
Beautiful pics!! |
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
March 29, 2008
1:58 AM Post #4724781
| What a variety of birds. This is wonderful - a veritable sanctuary for our feathered friends.
Kathy |
sadie_mae
Central, KY
(Zone 6b)
March 29, 2008
6:33 AM Post #4724977
| Great thread Rose!! I loved your commentary and the beautiful pics! |
PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX
(Zone 8a)
March 29, 2008
8:39 AM Post #4725181
| Yes, that was a fun day at the farm. |
coo13549
Batavia, OH
(Zone 6a)
March 29, 2008
8:45 AM Post #4725197
| Great day at the farm, Rose, thanks. Is that a new pond I spy? Looks like it's holding water but with all this rain I think you should check it often and send more pix. To landscape or not to landscape and keep it wild, that is the question. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
11:49 AM Post #4726079
| Thanks everyone I had too much coffee yesterday and went manic taking pics and posting! Yes, the pond is new and was dug late last fall! Our current rainfall has filled it to capacity and it seems to be holding well. We have an electric fence around it to keep the livestock out as DH has recently planted some grass seed around it. I am not sure what else I will plant but it will definitely be native and bird friendly. I have recently seen a Great Blue Heron and Canada Geese land on it and there are now several frogs!
The past few weeks we have been hearing the Cuckoo's and I would love to see one. The Black-billed and the Yellow-billed are summer residents and I love to hear them..."often heard but seldom seen"! They are called "Rain-Crows" by the local residents...I always thought I was hearing Owls!
Yesteday I saw two Barn Swallows flying over and I hope they nest in the old barn as they usually do every year. I hope to get some pics of them..they are so active and beautiful and love to dive bomb!!
I can't believe that I've lived here for almost 27 years and have just discovered this paradise...better late than never I guess. When we were dairy farming...there just wasn't much time to "stop and watch the birdies"!! I am making up for lost time... !! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 29, 2008
11:52 AM Post #4726095
| Thats so great Rose! What a wonderful variety you have there and now with the pond it will be even better! I do hope your able to get pics of all these birds you've mentioned,'we would love to see them! |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
12:01 PM Post #4726128
| We do have a wonderful variety Pelle...and I know there are more out there to be found!
Forgot to mention I saw a Juvie Bald Eagle on the way to town yesterday sitting real pretty on a telephone pole...the one time I didn't take my camera with me. Also saw 3 beautiful American Kestrels and am patiently waiting for the Kildeer to appear at the pond. Does the fun never end? |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
1:18 PM Post #4726450
| Great photos Rose!! Loves the tour of the farm! What I would give to have so much room... |
Mrs_Ed
Whiteside County, IL
(Zone 5a)
March 29, 2008
3:21 PM Post #4726878
|
| Quoted: | | I can't believe that I've lived here for almost 27 years and have just discovered this paradise...better late than never I guess. When we were dairy farming...there just wasn't much time to "stop and watch the birdies"!! I am making up for lost time... !! |
.
oh Rose, that just brought a tear to my eye. What a WONDERFUL thing for you to discover. When I was 8, we moved out of town to my great Grandparent's land. It has been in the family since 1941. I just LOVED growing up there and always love being there as an adult. My mom still lives there and she's got way better variety of birds!!!
Thanks for sharing. |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
3:33 PM Post #4726915
| It is amazing what is often right infront of us, if we take the time to see it. |
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
March 29, 2008
3:57 PM Post #4726984
| On the other hard, it's a good thing you spent so much time working the farm - now you can afford to live on it and enjoy!! |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
5:24 PM Post #4727217
| Thanks again everyone!! I was born and raised in inner city Los Angeles and the first time I ever saw the country was on an outing with the Girl Scouts. I was ten year old and we camped out in an old farm house...when I woke up in the country I was in love with it. They even had an old cow there and I vowed that one day I would live on a farm with cows. It took me another 26 years to get here and another 26 years to really discover it! It ain't so bad having old eyes when you can finally see!!
I am a member of Mo Birds and get emails all day about all the birds being spotted...it is an exciting time of the year and of my life! I am glad I can share a little bit of it here with all of you! You have all been so kind in your comments and help since I started birding and your influence is certainly appreciated and welcomed.
Today is cold and overcast and the birds are eating in a manic frenzy! I keep checking the feeders to see if any new ones have shown up but nothing so far...I will go out to the brush piles and the pond and check that in a while. I do know that Mr. Blue is watching the nestbox and Mrs. Blue is nowhere to be seen...and I ain't gonna check the box!!
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 29, 2008
5:39 PM Post #4727258
| Wow thats a huge jump from inner city Los Angeles to where you are now Rose!
Thats great you ended up where you enjoy it so much! Your very lucky!
Such a nice pic! |
burn_2007
Grand-Falls, NB
(Zone 4a)
March 29, 2008
6:49 PM Post #4727473
| So nice... there is so much to see out in the country. Just love that life, when I was growing up. I'd go back to that kind of life anytime. thanks for sharing with us. |
wallaby1
Lincoln
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 8a)
March 29, 2008
7:11 PM Post #4727551
| What a lovely presentation of your birds Rose! It gave me a much needed laugh!
So good to see you enjoying nature, I think a lot of us are only now really discovering what's around us. Thanks to Dave's, digi camera and computers!
I grew up on a farm with dairy cows, and funnily enough I went on a camp in an old house on a nearby farm with the girl guides too! But I didn't end up on a farm as you did, that dream of yours came true, how wonderful! Did you marry a farmer, or did you drag your man to a farm, lol. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 29, 2008
7:41 PM Post #4727677
| Thanks Pelle and Burn...it was overcast all day but I still enjoy the "fragile Ozarks" whatever the weather!
That is too funny Wallaby!! DH is actually from our tiny village and he always dreamed of being a farmer when he grew up!! He took early retirement when he was 47 and we loaded all our belongings into a 26 foot cattle trailer and headed for Mo.!! LOL!! My dream came true! It has been a real adventure and I agree that all the technology has given us all "new eyes" to see the rest of the world (like the Blue Tits in the United Kingdom)! |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
March 29, 2008
10:08 PM Post #4728308
| Nanny really said it well - "It is amazing what is often right infront of us, if we take the time to see it." I've wanted to move for nearly 20 years, but have just recently begun to enjoy my home and the abundance of nature all around me. It's even better now that your bird pictures are entertaining me! Thank you. |
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
March 29, 2008
10:11 PM Post #4728330
| That picture with the barn feeder is a riot of color! Great thread! |
GrannyGrunt
Mount Pleasant Mills, PA
(Zone 5a)
March 30, 2008
11:20 AM Post #4730067
| Wonderful thread Rose. The pictures are fantastic (putting that new camera to good use) and the accompanying commentaries are so enjoyable.
It is true, we often do not take the time to enjoy what is right in front of our noses! We can learn so much from the wildlife that inhabits our natural surroundings. It took me a long time to get there, but now I always take the time to "stop and smell the roses", so to speak.
The birding forum and the patience of its members has opened a whole new world to me.
I live in the country and love it.
Rose, I hope you are planning a Second Edition of "A Day on the Farm".
GG |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
(Zone 6a)
March 30, 2008
8:47 PM Post #4732438
| Rose,
I had a wonderful visit to the farm, thanks to you!
Beautiful pics!
Thanks for sharing!
Marilyn |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
March 31, 2008
11:19 AM Post #4735081
| Thank you OP, GP, GG & Marilyn! I hope to have another open house as soon as our weather clears up and the sun shines again. Today is tornado warning day and the birds are going nuts!!
Thank you all for visiting!! |
GrannyGrunt
Mount Pleasant Mills, PA
(Zone 5a)
March 31, 2008
2:08 PM Post #4735951
| Sorry to hear about the tornado warnings, Rose. Here's wishing you folks, the farm, and the little Blue Bird family are okay.
Look forward to your next open house.
GG |
MargaretK
PERTH
(Australia)
June 10, 2008
10:17 PM Post #5085354
| Rose, just discovered this thread. What a wonderful visit I had. Thank you for your hospitality. The red bird feeder is just lovely. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
June 10, 2008
11:44 PM Post #5085749
| Thanks Margaret...It is amazing how many birds have come and gone since that day on the farm. I had a real surprise today...was watching the Goldfinches and lo and behold a Pine Siskin showed up and spent the day! It is very unusual for them to be here at this time of the year! I don't know if it will stay or not but I'll sure be watching. Here is a bad pic I took through the window (just to confirm for the record)! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
June 11, 2008
12:55 AM Post #5085998
| What a nice picture - especially with the green background.
One of the gals in the PNW forum just posted pictures of a baby robin she rescued. Thought you all might like it. It's near the bottom of this thread:
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
June 11, 2008
7:48 AM Post #5086484
| That was cute katie; thanks for the link! |
crazybirdlady51
Wilmar, AR
(Zone 8a)
June 11, 2008
5:28 PM Post #5089143
| Thanks for the tour and pics, dellrose. I've lived in the country all my live and have often wondered what caused me to suddenly begin noticing the birds around me. I missed a lot. Now, I'm hooked |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
June 11, 2008
5:59 PM Post #5089274
| Rose - Your "bad" pics are way better than my "good" ones! Thanks for showing the pine siskin. I've only seen them in bird books. I'll be on the look out. They're supposed to be in Western NY. |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
June 11, 2008
6:54 PM Post #5089497
| Katie thanks for the above link...very cool story!
Crazybirdlady...I know it is amazing all that is around us isn't it? At least we finally discovered birds so better late than never!
OP...That Pine Siskin showed up again this morning..geez I was so excited and poor DH thinks I have lost my mind! LOL! |
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
June 12, 2008
12:22 AM Post #5091288
| Sad news to report tonight. A couple of weeks ago I was clearing some elderberry that was encroaching from the woods onto my yard and discovered a robin's nest with three beatiful eggs. I immediately stopped work right around the nest, but it's only about 4 feet high and was definitely more exposed than it should have been.
The eggs hatched and I've been watching the little guys grow all week. Came home and checked on them first thing tonight. Apparently somebody got them. The edges of the nest are destroyed and there's not even evidence of feathers or anything. Feeling bummed . . . a not a little bit guilty. I was looking forward to watching them learn to fly.
Any advice on what I might have done differently when I found them that might have improved their chances? |
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
June 12, 2008
8:29 AM Post #5091905
| Mother Nature can be cruel...doubt if there is much you could have done differently other than not being in the ara to begin with. And I doubt that would have really made any difference, so don't feel guilty. So sorry you lost your babies. |
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
June 12, 2008
3:33 PM Post #5093879
| Thanks, nanny. I think it was harder for me because they'd made it so far. There aren't many cats around because of the coyotes, so I'm guessing it was raccoons. They are incredibly active and have figured out that my front yard is "safe" if my back yard isn't. Grrrrr. |
MargaretK
PERTH
(Australia)
June 13, 2008
9:21 AM Post #5097469
| Sad story, Katie.
Rose, the Pine Siskin has beautiful feather markings. It immediately reminded me of the markings on our Red Wattlebirds. I'll see what I can dig up to show you. |
OPbirder
Orchard Park, NY
June 14, 2008
5:07 PM Post #5104249
| Katie - You did nothing wrong, but I feel your sorrow, and hear your kind of stories about robins frequently. They seem to nest in the worst, least protected places in the suburbs. Shrubs, etc. very close to the ground. Raccoons, opposums, etc. - noctural mammals - prey on them mercilessly. Then, their babies don't always stay in the nest long enough to be able to fly to safety in the trees. The parents have to follow them all over the place teaching them survival skills for days. They seem to be increasing in numbers though.
|
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2008
3:23 AM Post #5106170
| Really?? Poor things. They do make beautiful nests, though.
If I find another that low I may try to make some kind of a baffle on the tree to see if I can't help. |
JWLW
Atkinson, NH
(Zone 5a)
June 18, 2008
2:51 PM Post #5123432
| Beautiful pictures of your birds...thoroughly enjoyed seeing them...I spend countless hours through out the year taking shots of birds,gators, deer, on and on...what camera were you using?
Keep up the good work |
dellrose
Conway, MO
(Zone 5b)
June 19, 2008
11:24 AM Post #5127573
| Katie...sorry to hear about the nest...birds do sometimes make themselves very vunerable.
JWLW...Thank you...I use a Canon 40D with a 100mm-400mm telephoto lens. I am still learning... |
katie59
Woodinville, WA
(Zone 8b)
June 19, 2008
12:52 PM Post #5128075
| Thanks, guys. I keep looking over there to see if maybe they just didn't fly away . . . |
