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.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

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]

Fantastic! You sure deserve it.

[MamaTexan]

Do we ever have Grackles....nasty things.

Ugh! Winged rats!

They're really bad in town, but (thankfully) they don't seem to be too much of a problem out in the hills. Maybe they know it's safer in the city, 'cause out here, we have the option of....well, 'thinning the flock' so to speak. :)

Thanks for those great links!

My pleasure! Hummingbirds are my favorite. From your description, it looks like you may have a Buff-bellied hummingbird paying you a visit!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Yup.We'll cheer you up somehow.LOL

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Lol!!! That's very cute! Good Morning GBUSA!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You got that right.It's been a long time since all three of us were together on the same thread.

[luvie]

I wish there was something that could be done about the nasty flying rats. They have taken over entire neighborhoods and are noisy all night long. And the things they do to the cars in those neighborhoods...eeeuuuwwww!

[MamaTexan]

I keep planting berry shrubs, plants and trees in hopes for such a beautiful sight as the pictures you have. Gorgeous Photos!

LOL!

I remember. :) The crazy thing was, I kept seeing these birds in the spring, but couldn't figure out what they were. Then it dawned on me that they were Cedar Waxwings, 'cause we have acres and acres of Cedar trees......DUH!

(Hey! I never said I was the brightest crayon in the box!)

LOL!

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

One the things on my 'to do' list it go to the Texas Hummingbird Roundup. It would be SUCH a blast!

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning!
Thank you :) How are you today?

[luvie]

Yeah..I was really looking forward to going out of town for the day...but the good news is that we can have some fun together!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

LOL.

Love this picture.

{{{{HUGS}}}}

[luvie]

The hummingbird feeder at my aunt's house near Abilene, Tx.

[luvie]

I do too...it's just...us! :o)

[GodBlessUSA]

That will be a blast. You have so many varieties of Hummers that visit you. They can learn so much valuable information from you and your visitors! You know, you encouraged me to continue putting that feeder out and I finally got Hummers that year. I gave up too soon, in the season, the years before. :)

I found this interesting from the website. the challenge to know these species and what they need to survive is daunting. Since some of these birds have been recorded only a dozen times throughout history,

It's amazing how much is not known about our Wildlife. They have had sighting of birds in recent years, they thought were extinct. They really don't have all the knowledge some perceive. It's quite incredible that they are acquiring so much new information from Birders.

[GodBlessUSA]

That's us. :)

[luvie]

The three amigos! LOL!

[GodBlessUSA]

I remember you making a trip to your Aunts house. How you described her place, made me want to take a trip to visit your Aunt. :) Fantastic picture!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Yup, that's us alright.:)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Great picture of the hummingbird.

[luvie]

You would love it there. Remember the bunnies under the bush in the back yard?

[luvie]

Thanks. I love watching them fight over the feeder. They're very competitive.