~Avian Photography~ Post your bird pix for 2012!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

I just read about West Nile and Blue Jays, I came across this Ohio blog that believes the cause of a decline in Blue Jays here is less dire, just a lack of acorns due to a very low mast year in our area anyway.

Thanks for the information, linrose. Good to know.

I knew they ate acorns, but had no idea it was such a high proportion of their diet (along with hickory and beech nuts). I do have several pignut hickories on my property, at least that is what I think they are. Not too many mature ones, but I have others that are getting there...and several seedlings.

I'd really like to get some shagbark hickories to grow here. I have one or two seedlings (maybe 3-4 year old) that are growing only a foot or two from the foundation of the garage or two close to the house. I am not sure what to do with them...they have a taproot and are too difficult to transplant--I tried one the first or second year I was here. Hopefully more will come up on their own in the woodland...if not, I'll have to buy some bare root ones to plant.

[dapjwy]

Here is one of the many that I've seen coming to my back yard for a free snack:

[Sage]

Hey! I think that's my Blue Jay!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Sage

Hey! I think that's my Blue Jay!

I don't know...I took it about 2 weeks ago. I can't imagine it would fly all the way out your way. I guess they all look alike to me too.

[linrose]

I just saw a blue jay this morning! Go figure.

Also this little white-throated sparrow. It's cold out this morning and he's all puffed up keeping warm.

[Sage]

Adorable, linrose!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by linrose

Also this little white-throated sparrow. It's cold out this morning and he's all puffed up keeping warm.

Cute sparrow, linrose. Maybe I'll learn my sparrows eventually if you all keep posting them with names.

[linrose]

I love this cheery little sparrow too, it makes me happy to see him!

I've been trying to capture this red-bellied woodpecker every morning, he comes to the Chinkapin oak to get his share of the suet and then flies to the trunk of the tree for insects and such. I know his call so well I can tell where he is in the woods or if he's in the Chinkapin by the house. He taunts me with that call but by the time I carefully open the balcony door and have my camera ready, he's gone back to the woods.

The little balcony next to my desk on the second floor of our house is the perfect perch for me and my camera to watch the birds around the feeders and in the trees and shrubs nearby. It was finally sunny today and I really wanted some good pics, but the birds were shy! I really like that 6 to 7AM time when the sun is just coming up and the birds are gathering, the light is great and I can sip my tea before getting down to work.

Now that I have my new camera I'm asking for new binoculars for my birthday, I've got some birding field trips in mind, seeing the sandhill cranes at Barren River Lake and the bald eagles at Land Between the Lakes in early February. I'm not an avid birder by any means but I'd really like to experience those magnificent birds during their migration.

[havalotta]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

Here is one of the many that I've seen coming to my back yard for a free snack:

I had just stated Sages cardinal was my all time favorite now.......
Your blue jay is.... My all time favorite one of "yours"....
I'm seeing a lot of developing skills and improvements in the site!

[havalotta]

This one was taken somewhere along the Caribbean quite a while back.

Just wondering what it might be....It wasn't really afraid of us.