A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....1-24-06....A Birders' Eye View

GodBlessUSA

[GodBlessUSA]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, Dolly Cali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

One beautiful spring morning shortly after we moved in to our home, my 3-year-old daughter pointed at a bird and said, "Look Mommy." There on the tree was one of the most beautiful birds I'd ever seen--one I had never noticed before. I now know that it was a Redbelly Woodpecker. We were so thrilled to see such a beautiful bird in our yard, we jumped in the car to the store and we bought feeders and food for the birds.

Since that day, backyard birdwatching has been a passion of mine which I have a combined with my passion for gardening. Now my daugher and I garden for the birds, and my yard has become a place for everything from the common, but still beautiful, Robin to rare Warblers, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, and flocks of Chickadees.

I’m not an expert on birds or gardening. I’m always learning. I’d like to share the wonderful facts and stories I have learned in future threads. So many of us love spending time with nature, please share your stories of anything you do that gives you peace and enjoyment. Here are a few pictures from my backyard.

       Redbelly Woodpecker                 Blue Jay

Flicker Woodpecker     CatBird       GoldFinches

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck". Emma Goldman

Recently, my kids and I took a trip to a bird preserve. This is a tranquil place with easy-to-follow trails. Once out of the wooded paths, there's a trail to follow and you reach the beach and have magnificent views.

The truly unique part of this preserve is, the birds will land on the palm of your hand and take seed. You will know when the birds are there because the birds will call to you. Holding a few sunflower seeds and nuts, they love the peanuts in winter, out in your palm and wait for the chickadees to land on your hand and grab the seeds. It's incredible to experience a small delicate Chickadee, Nuthatch or Titmouse picking through seed in your hand. This is a very special place for my kids and me.

Woods Path to Beach                   A View From Beach

Chickadee                                     Downy Woodpecker

Chickadees on my daughter's and son's hand.

Mallard Ducks

A Rabbit and Robin, they think we can't see them. :)

Nuthatch                                     Tufted Titmouse

"I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn."    Henry David Thoreau

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

Click on the photo to view the album. To submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man at danbh59@yahoo.com and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Dolly
I thought of you while doing this thread. I know you love to hike and knew you would have pictures. :) I look forward to seeing your pictures. If you cannot get to post them, please send them email when you can. :) I saw a Heron for the first time a year ago. What an amazing bird to see. So much bigger than I imagined. :) I'd love to hear about your book also!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Good Morning GB.

Wonderful thread,I absolutely love it.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Hot Tabasco
Thanks :) I have yet to see a Eagle in nature other than captivity. I look so forward to that sight.

Sad about the dog. I wonder what took him. I wouldn't think a Red-tail would take on a dog but I don't know for certain.

[DollyCali]

Hi.. one last check in before I leave for day.. GeeBee.. I am talking about hundreds, if not a thousand pix from over 5 years shooting.. in various files.. I will send you a couple.. of the geese .... Had I known the theme a few days ago I would have had time then to work up.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Becky

I too notice the larger variety of birds in fall and winter. It's so exciting to have new visitors to ID in the yard. Isn't the Brown Creeper a funny bird. :)

I once had a Red bellied Sapsucker, for a short time in spring during migration. My pictures of him are blurry. I saw this bird for a short time, 2 years in a row. If you post a picture of this bird, please ping me.

Did you ever do the winter backyard bird count? If you haven't and you are interested, let me know and I'll freepmail you the link. You have such a great variety of birds. It's in Feb.

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Mrs. Nooseman!

How are you today. You are off, Woo HOO! :)

[Hot Tabasco]

Mini dachsunds are small but you are right, could be a little too large for a red tail. As for the eagle, they are pretty much scavengers and fish eaters rather than animal hunters. The only other thought and probably the most accurate is that the dog was killed and eaten by a coyote. They are becoming more and more numerous here in s.e. Michigan.

In fact last winter I was ice fishing on Lake St. Clair just off of Selfridge ANG base when a coyote came charging out of the cat tails on shore being chased by another coyote. That darn thing was hightailing it across the ice until he was out of sight. He only stopped once to turn and look behind him then kept on going.......

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am doing great.

[Pippin]

Good Morning!

This thread is for the birds! ;o)

and some really beautiful birds too!

This is a great thread today!

[GodBlessUSA]

I love wild life but I don't think I'd like having coyotes visiting. :) I have dog that is part dachshund. I forget there are mini versions. Interesting. I have to see if there is a bird predator capable of that.

I have mainly Sharpies and Cooper's Hawks. On a rare occasion a Red-tail will soar through. They look so huge in comparison. I love seeing Hawks but I don't like when they take off with birds visiting my yard. Here's a Photo from my back yard from last year or 2. I believe it to be a Cooper's Hawk. I cropped out his meal for the post. :) Fascinating to see a group of Crows or Jays and their strategy, while chasing the Sharpie or Cooper's out of territory.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi Pippin!
Thanks so much :)

[GodBlessUSA]

It's so great to be on-line at the same time. :) Do you have plans for your weekend?

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Nope,I am just going to rest and relax for the most part.

[MamaTexan]

Did someone say 'Hummingbird'?

LOL!

Here's a link to the Texas Parks and Wildlife's Hummingbird Roundup

Here's the Hummingbird Identification page.

Lot's of cool information there, including a way to report sightings of rare Hummingbird species.

----------------------------------

I guess my favorite pic from 'round here would be the flock of Cedar Waxwings I caught one morning:

Here's a closeup for those who aren't familiar with these colorful little characters:

Thanks for the thread, GodBless USA!

:)

[luvie]

Beautiful bird. I guess I've never seen one that close up. I'm not sure we have them in Odessa. But...man! Do we ever have Grackles....nasty things.

I haven't seen many hummers around here. I keep thinking I'll get a feeder, but forget when I'm at the store. Thanks for those great links!

[luvie]

So...I finally found you two together.

My trip got cancelled. :o(

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Hi LUV.

What do ya know the three of us together on the same thread.:)

Bummer that your trip got canceled.

[GodBlessUSA]

Hi MamaTexan! :)
I'm soooo jealous. I have Cedar waxwing on my list of must see. :) Incredibly beautiful looking bird. I think I told you on the thread last year, of my comedy of errors with my search of seeing a waxwing that was sighted locally. I keep planting berry shrubs, plants and trees in hopes for such a beautiful sight as the pictures you have. Gorgeous Photos!

Excellent links on Hummingbirds. You have such a large variety of Hummers, it's amazing.

[luvie]

Yeah...we don't get to do this very often. I was bummed by it, but now we can have some fun. I was up anyway, so might just as well make the best of it. Listening to Tony and talking to my Buds...what could be better!

[GodBlessUSA]

Luv!
I'm sorry your trip was canceled. I know you were looking forward to today. I hope you two can set up another time.

Although it is nice we are all here at the same time!