Morning Bird Pic

[sleigh]

Denise and I have both noted that the birds that frequent the feeder are becoming less frightened of our appearances. I can understand that with Denise, but my face has been known to crack mirrors and frighten little children. But birds are evidently more forgiving than people. In fact, one of the Carolina Chickadees (see yesterday's pic) was flapping all around the feeder while I was hanging refreshed tubes yesterday, impatient to get something to eat. I've been taking the pictures with a relatively large zoom lens from well back on the deck, but have found that I can now sit on the steps of the deck -- the feeder is set near the foot of the steps -- and if I'm relatively still, the birds will come in. As a result, I've been getting a few very close shots without having to crop mercilessly. Here's one: a crowd of house finches having a go at the seeds.

Comments

[jennlk]

Chickadees and hummingbirds are fearless -- I regularly get supervised by them, as they perch on shrubbery branches three feet away. Bluejays and cardinals will hang out in the nearest tree and holler at me for being slow in refilling the feeders.

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

I agree -- the cardinals we have are skittish; give them a significant movement nearby and they're away to the nearest tree. The bluejays seem even more nervous I had a heck of a time getting a picture of one since as soon as I lifted the camera, it was off. Finally did, though.

I've seen a hummingbird (or perhaps a pair) twice in last few days zipping around the yard but haven't been able to capture an image as yet. We don't have a hummingbird feeder up; they're after the flowers in the yard, I think.