[OT] What I do when I'm not sewing

Those are lovely.

I've just had a sparrow fly into the window. It fluttered off into the bay tree, and sat there looking cross-eyed for a minute before fluttering off.

I love birds, but dare not encourage them here because of the cats. They catch quite enough by themselves, without bating the trap!

Thanks, it's a hobby I really enjoy. I keep two seed feeders (one black-oil sunflower, one Nyjer thistle), one suet feeder, and two hummingbird feeders going all the time, plus two bird-baths.

I have large sliding glass doors out to the deck, and sadly the birds fly into it from time to time. I have added several decals to the glass, hoping they will stop.

I love birds more than cats. ;-) Several of my neighbors have cats which they allow to roam around outside. I wouldn't hesitate to lob a shoe at a cat if it stalks birds on my deck.

I see a variety of birds in my huge back yard in SC, and occasionally see a hawk. When I am in Florida I see owls and eagles that nest close by. Barbara in SC

A super soaker works really well. ;) Or just a shot from the hose.

Those pictures were wonderful!!! We have a TON of ruby throated hummingbirds here now. I have two feeders on the deck. I also have baskets of hot pink petunias hanging from the pergola on the deck. They feed from those too. The trumpet vine is starting to bloom higher up now (been blooming closer to the ground for a while) and they also like those flowers. I've tried and tried to get good pics of them. They are SO fast and there are so many that they constantly bicker and wrestle and chase each other off. Usually just as I push the button on the camera. lol One male has started dive bombing the others. Now, that's not unusual behavior, but they normally stop before they collide with each other. Not this guy. He comes in behind the other birds and whacks them with his tiny body. Hard enough we hear a "smack" from several feet away. He's like a WWF hummingbird.

The goldfinches are back too. They love the sunflowers out by the garden. They are so much fun to watch in the evenings when they bop around out there.

Sharon

Thanks so much for the pictures. The Quails on the West Coast are different from the ones on the East Coast. Ours don't have the very visible crown. The first time I saw a western Quail was on my first visit to Whidby Island in 1993, and was fortunate to see them many times more in subsequent visits. When on Cape Cod I usually here quails rather than see them. They have the well know "Bob White" call, that they will answer when imitated. Once in awhile we are lucky enough to see momma and her family run across one of the sand roads. Juno

I have most of the same birds at my feeders. The first time I saw a flicker, I thought I was hallucinating -- it looked like a cartoon bird. I have lots of Oregon Junkoes, which I think you might have. And there's my red-headed woodpecker, who taps away. He loves the suet cakes I put out in the winter. Lots and lots of California quail with their question marks and exclamation points. If you notice, one of the males will get into a higher position to act as "lookout" for the ground-feeding quail. He clicks a warning if he sees a threat. I have mourning doves up the ying-yang, not the smartest birds around. The starlings are interesting for their wardrobes, lovely patterned browns in the winter, iridescent black in summer. For the past couple of years, I've been visited by some rock doves, anywhere from three to 15 at a time, all blues. I don't know if they're feral or belong to someone in the area. I had crows nest here one year, but a baby fell out of the nest and made his way into the street before I could catch him -- parents mistrusted my efforts and attacked me -- and they haven't come back to nest again. All kinds of finches - gold, house, various colors. They get thistle. Other birds clean up spilled thistle. I have scrub jays, who like peanuts, and who talk to me. Once in a great while, a Steller's Jay gets blown down from the mountains and I get to feed and admire him. Robins clean up the old fruit, and sometimes get a bit tipsy.

There are also cats. Mine and ones from the neighborhood who come to hang out. I make sure they're all well-fed, and while they are fascinated by the birds, they don't catch them. What we don't have anymore are visiting dogs. I got fed up with that and had fences put up to keep them from entering the back yard.

What a great hobby! I also like to watch birds, but don't see many here, like in previous places I've lived. And you're good at takiing photos of them as well.

As I mentioned before, I grew up in mid-MS, and I spent a lot of time with my DGMs. They used small branches from a sweet-gum tree to clean their teeth. They said that's what they had used since their youth, and neither had many cavities and their teeth were always clean.

I wonder why we seldom see them anymore.

-- Emily

I have heard that works best when loaded with ammonia. ;->

? Or just a shot from

Trouble is, they are so sneaky they vamoose before I can get the hose turned on.

Thank you. I think you can tell birdwatching is among my hobbies, and it's so much better now that I have a digital camera, because I can "capture" them.

I am pretty sure at least five mated pairs are regulars here. I always have hanging pots of petunias and verbenas on my deck, so the hummers have a varied diet.

I bought my latest digital camera (Nikon Coolpix S10) for the faster shutter speed. My old one had such a lag between "push" and "take" that I never got the picture I wanted. The pictures of hummers on the wing were taken with my Nikon D70, but I decided it was more camera than I wanted so I gave it and several lenses to older DD.

The male Anna's are very aggressive about defending the feeders, the females not so much, sometimes they actually share. I'm pretty sure I don't get any but the Anna's and the Rufous here, although a couple of other varieties are know in the area.

There are times when both seed-feeders are **covered** with goldfinches, with more waiting their turn in the Sweet Gum tree nearby.

You're welcome, I love sharing. I was so shocked when I viewed the picture of the quail on my computer screen! I had to get out my Birds of North America guide to be sure what it was. The cute little plume on his head and the head stripes are definitive: California Quail. I have never seen one since. It's not a particularly good picture, it was taken through the glass slider, I didn't want to risk opening the door only to have him fly away.

Indeed! That red cheek patch is startling. And if you think they look strange, wait until you see your first Cedar Wax Wing! They flock into my Hawthorne tree by the hundreds, but it's too far from the house for good pics.

Lots and lots, plus lots of Slate-Colored Juncos. Usually in the winter. They are so common I have failed to take pictures of them. ;-}

I had several Downy Woodpeckers a few years back, but haven't seen them for a while. I did see, way up in a tree, a Pileated Woodpecker once when I was out walking with DGD. About fainted.

I have only had the one, as far as I know. I'll be keeping a look-out for more.

No, They're pretty, but they seem more likely than any other bird to fly directly into the glass sliders. It rarely kills them, but sheesh, you'd think they'd learn.

The Starlings occasionally take over the entire back yard, feeders and lawn. They are handsome birds, but hardly ones I would attract on purpose.

Lots and lots of crows, they are raucous and early risers!. They never come to the feeders

In addition to the Goldfinches, I have House Finches, Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, and Lesser Goldfinches.

Also English Sparrows & Chipping Sparrows. And Towhees, and Varied Thrush. And when we were in Nevada a couple of years ago, we saw a ROADRUNNER!

Lots and lots of Scrub Jays, but the only picture I had of a Stellar Jay was thorough glass and not good at all.

Gotta love Robins. They are so common I usually don't take pictures, but the ones in the tree with snow was a must take.

I keep my dog in my yard or on a leash, always. Would that cat owners did the same.

Thanks! I probably should have kept the D70, it had some fantastic lenses. But my point-and-shoot Nikon S10 does pretty well. I keep it in the dining room, ready to go whenever I see an interesting critter.

They are wonderful pics Beverly. And what superb birds. So different to those of my country.

Fran