More Birdwatching

This morning walking Spunky on our usual path, we happened upon a migrating flock of Cedar Waxwings. They were perched together high up in the trees bordering our development and, as luck would have it, the sun came out as we approached and illuminated the birds brilliantly! Be sure to click on the photos to see an enlarged version, all the better to see the bright yellow and tiny bit of red markings.

Below, a Robin is in the lower left side. That gives you a comparison in size for the Waxwings vs. Robins. They are actually quite a bit smaller, although in this photo, it was 30 degrees out and the Waxwings all had their feathers fluffed out, making them appear much larger than they are. The Robin, on the other hand, is NOT fluffed out, but is quite used to the cold!

When snow storm Toby blew through earlier this week, I took a few photos of some regular visitors to our porch feeders - Bluebirds. They don't look too pleased to be out in the storm!

That's it for today. Off to begin some new drawings!

Bird Watching

Male Bluebird with a male & female House Finch pair with snow flurries flying by.

When the ground is frozen and there is snow on the ground, I fill my Bluebird feeder with dried meal worms. This attracts primarily Bluebirds as well as various finches and sparrows. The feeder has open holes on the two short sides, and plexiglass on the wide sides. Half of the roof lifts to pour in meal worms or other bird seed - keeping the worms or seeds completely dry, no matter what the weather.

While today was a bonus Bluebird day, others have come to our porch to check us out!

The Goldfinch are already starting to molt into their spring plumage.

This daring female Bluebird boldly landed by my sliding door as she gazed longingly at the worm feeder above her!

One day, I actually had a real surprise - a first time ever to our home on Paradise Hill, a Cedar Waxwing! You'll see it in photo below in the lower left. He was too shy to come onto the porch, but he was this close!

A House Finch, Bluebird, and Cedar Waxwing! Click on the image to see a larger version.

A pair of Bluebirds, the female on the left, the more brightly colored male on the right. Again, click on the image to get a better view.

Lots of inspiration to begin watercolor painting once again following shoulder replacement surgery. Hope to get going this week!