Whenever I have a chance, I’ve been out in the yard, stalking the birds with my new long lens.
Even with the advantage of the lens, the birds remain elusive and wary.
The sparrows are the easiest to capture. There’s alway an army of them in the HUGE trumpet vine that covers my neighbours backyard arbour. At any time, I can fine anywhere from 10probably 30 of these little guys up there.
But I noticed, they have a couple interlopers.
It’s a juvenile Brown-Headed Cowbird. You may not know, but cowbirds are a little sneaky – they lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, and let those birds raise the babies. When they are old enough, the babies head back to their cowbird family… and start the whole thing over again… crazy eh?
But I don’t think it’s the same for Starlings…
But this starling is almost always hanging with the sparrows. Maybe he was an orphan, and they took him in?
Even though the sparrows are so common, I do think they are pretty darn cute.
But it’s really the colourful birds I love. The cardinals have NOT been cooperative, but this little Red-Headed House Finch did a little modeling for me.
I’ve seen a few Gold Finches too, but haven’t been able to get pics.
And though the Blue Jays LOVE to sit in the trees and scream at me, getting them on film has proved difficult. I get a lot of blurry shots and blue-jay butt…
They do love this peanut ring I got last year.
It should keep them coming around so I can get more pictures.
Wandering Cat Studio 
That long lens does a pretty good job for you.
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Oh wow! See, I just knew that your piccies would be good!👏 Love them. I should share some of the birds we feed and love who live in our garden here in Aus.
Keep snapping, and having fun with it 😉
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Gorgeous photos Valerie! A cowbird already?? Or did it stay all winter with it’s adoptive family??The red winged blackbirds have been back in our area for a few weeks. Very early for them. Take care.❤️
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Hahaha, blue jay butt!
I was out last night, trying to snap photos of the planet conjunction, and truly, the cell phone is the pits at celestial and birdy images!
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We have the same birds here (though I haven’t seen a cowbird yet). And, we have a ton of Cardinals – often times we can count 6-8 males and a bunch of females by our sunflower feeder! Like Robin, the red winged blackbirds are making an appearance again. We hear them more than see them, but one day when I opened the back door, one flew up from the ground under our sunflower feeder. So much fun to watch. You are getting some great pictures Val.
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That red-headed finch is gorgeous! I have never seen one like it. I have seen the golden ones every once in a while. I seem to be ground zero for cardinals this year. I keep thinking my camellias have bloomed but it’s just a bird in the bushes.
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Oh, that sweet little Red Headed Finch is so cute. I don’t think I’ve seen one around here, but then, I’m not a huge bird watcher so who knows? I laughed out loud at the blue jay butt! 🙂 But then it let you get a decent picture.
We seem to have more birds around than normally for this time of year. It’s so warm and snowless compared to some years.
Take care Val and keep taking those bird photos. I imagine all of these birds drives the cats crazy when they’re on the catio.
Blessings,
Betsy
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What wonderful photos! Your new equipment is serving you well.
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I love birds, and pictures slow them down enough for identification! Looks like you’re loving your new lens.
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Great photos! The camera equipment found a wonderful and talented new owner – enjoy!
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Great photos! Lucky you to have cardinals. I have a Towhee that’s training me to give it peanuts. I still wonder whether it really eats them. Lately we have some tiny birds that act like humming birds but aren’t them. I can’t figure out what they are. Any ideas?
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Very lovely shots of the birds! You know that it takes a lot of pics to get that ONE amazing shot! Keep practicing and sharing them with us in the meantime!
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