Woodpecker Brawl

It is snowing again on the mountain.  I had just come in from picking the new metal birdfeeders up off of the ground, putting them back together (sigh, the never ending battle with the bears.  Aren’t they suppose to be sleeping?) and filling them.  Standing at the kitchen sink contemplating buying more of the broomstick [...]

Bird Photography Weekly-Ring-necked Duck

Looking for ducks this time of year can be scary.  Not because of the ducks, of course, but because of the orangemen and I am not talking about Syracuse.  While I was home, my sister and I wanted to go see what was shakin’ at Killdeer Plains and Big Island WMAs.  As we discussed our [...]

Birdy Christmas Presents

Ever since the bears destroyed my favorite squirrel-resistant feeders back in the Spring, I have been in the market for uber-sturdy bird feeders. And lo and behold, Santa brought me 3 all-metal birdfeeders-2 tube feeders and a tray. I knew he was following me on Twitter for a reason. :0) I know, I know, they [...]

Bird Photography Weekly-Gray-headed Junco

I love that Juncos come in flavors.  Hmmmm, that sorta sounds like a Popsicle, but you know what I mean.  Here in the east, we have only one type of Dark-eyed Junco, the Slate-colored one.  But in the west, there are several colorful variations: Oregon, Pink-sided, White-winged, Gray-headed and Red-backed.
This one is a Gray-headed Junco.  [...]

Birding in a Blizzard

Tufted Titmouse

Black-capped Chickadee

Slate-colored Junco
A blizzard has struck the northeast.  We are predicted to get 12 inches of snow.  I did not go to work, so I sat snug and dry in my garage  taking pictures of my local backyard flock hustling for food.  Garages make great DRY bird blinds.

Winter Chickadee accomodations

For years now, I have been feeling the loss of my Chickadees (possessive aren’t I?) from the winter temps.  Up here on the mountain, it gets wicked cold and stays that way for days on end.  (One year it was below zeroF for 3 solid weeks.)  I yearned for some sort of winter roosting box, [...]

My World- Skylands

I just love the name.  Skylands.  It rings of long vistas and a sort of mythology; like it is a place where eagles live.  And if you were to drive up to Skylands and the NJ State Botanical Gardens you would indeed find eagles.  5000 pound eagles.  And they are festooned with holiday finery at [...]

Bird Photography Weekly-Steller’s Jay

While I was waiting around to see the Rosy-finches at the Sandia Crest House, there were two Steller’s Jays trying to hog the feeder-typical of jays everywhere, I suppose.  The bullies (said with affection).  One of the Jays, flew over to a tree to contemplate the vista, which was pretty spectacular since it is at [...]

Birding in Albuquerque

Anytime you go birding in Albuquerque you need to include the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in your circuit.  It is close to the downtown and offers a view of a wetland in an otherwise water-starved landscape.  The Visitor’s Center has cement wings with peep holes that extend from the main building giving a [...]

Birding at Sandia Crest

Every time I mentioned that I needed to see Rosy-Finches, I was told I had to go to Sandia Crest.  The first time, I had no idea what or where Sandia Crest was.  From mid-November through March the 3 species of Rosy-finches are supposedly there at the gift shop cum restaurant.  Lest you feel out [...]