Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Out Our Window

We put up a bird feeder as soon as we arrived at Inks Lake State Park, and immediately started attracting birds. It took us several weeks to get birds at our feeder in Enchanted Rock, so I suspect that the previous occupant of this spot may have fed birds as well.

Our first visitors were the familiar Carolina Chickadee and Black-crested Titmouse.  This place is absolutely crawling with Titmice, with as many as four or five working the feeder at once.

Carolina Chickadee
Black-crested Titmouse
Our most colorful visitors have been Lesser Goldfinches.  A few bright males have been visiting the feeder regularly.
Lesser Goldfinch
Sittin' in a Tree...
Less colorful in their winter plumage, American Goldfinches have stopped by as well.
American Goldfinch
Chipping Sparrows have arrived in force.  Many field guides refer to their "gray unstreaked rump" as a way to distinguish them from similar sparrows.  Having an eye-level view of the feeder gives a good view of this particular field mark!
Chipping Sparrow
Gray Rump on Chipping Sparrow
The End!

Mark







2 comments:

  1. WhoooHooo... you have a whole spectrum of colors and variety.... I didn't know that the Lesser kept its bright yellow in the winter... gorgeous!

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  2. I find it a challenge to get a chickadee photo where the eye stands out. Nice job!

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