2 Mar 2009
You can see in this picture some of the snowfall we got last night. Not much, but it looks pretty the way it covered the top of the bush behind the fence and on the tree limbs.

2 Mar 2009
Starlings eating the suet cakes.

2 Mar 2009
Some starlings eating the suet cakes.

2 Mar 2009
I just this morning put out these two suet cakes and look what a dent they have made already! These are some starlings - one is just coming in for a landing on the top right. His wings are still in motion.

2 Mar 2009
The sparrows are sharing the suet cake with a starling. There are four birds on the peanut flavored suet cake and only one bird on the berry flavored one.

2 Mar 2009
Last night we had some snowfall. They said it might be four inches, but it was only about two or maybe three. I swept away a place under the fence so the birds could eat. There was a whole flock of sparrows and this one little mourning dove there when something startled the sparrows and they all flew away. But, this little guy just kept on eating. He would be an easy prey if there really were danger, huh?

2 Mar 2009
I just wanted to leave a note. You will notice in future pictures that the nut block cage is gone. One day I noticed it lying on the ground and am guessing the weight from the squirrels hanging on it broke the chain link that was holding it. I put it back, using a plastic twisty to secure it, but when I looked out later, it was down again. This time, I didn't put it back up right away and later it was gone entirely. I couldn't find it anywhere. I don't know if the squirrels dragged it away or someone found it and removed it. But, anyway, I haven't decided whether to replace it or not. Have to wait and see.

Photo taken 6 Feb 2009
The squirrel is hanging by his hind paws while he eats what he has bitten off the nut block. They have amazing agility.

Photo taken 6 Feb 2009
The squirrel is hanging on the cages while eating from the nut block.

Just a note for today, 28 Jan 2009

I did not take any pictures today, but wanted to leave a note. All evening and through the night, we had freezing rain here so the snow on the ground from yesterday had a coating of ice on top of it. I put the seed on the ice and just watched them when they came around to eat. There were sparrows, blue jays, starlings and cardinals this morning as well as two squirrels.

It was funny. The birds would slide when they came in for a landing and even the squirrels were slipping and sliding. They seemed to be ok and yet I wonder where they find shelter while the freezing rain is coming down. Poor things.

Photo taken 27 Jan 2009
Today we had a light dusting of snow - you can see it on the fence slats. This squirrel is hanging from the suet cage with his hind paws while eating. You can see his little front paws curled up in front of his mouth - he broke off a chunk of the nut block.

Photo taken 27 Jan 2009
The male cardinal. There is a slight dusting of snow today, just enough to cover the ground.

Photo taken 27 Jan 2009
This is the female cardinal. We had a slight dusting of snow today, just enough to cover the ground.

Photo taken 27 Jan 2009
Perched on top of the fence is the male cardinal. If you look closely, you can see the little Carolina wren eating from the bottom of the nut block.

Photo taken 27 Jan 2009
Today we had a bit of snow, just enough to cover the ground. The male cardinal is in the back top left of the picture and there are four sparrows in the foreground. The bird landing next to the cardinal is an "unknown" one - I don't know what it is, yet. It is about 3-4 inches long with a black top and grayish-white belly.

Photo taken 26 Jan 2009
This is a good profile view of the black capped chickadee.

Photo taken 26 Jan 2009
A black capped chickadee.

Photo taken 26 Jan 2009
This is another picture of the "unknown" bird. Looks like it has a black beak with some black coloring around it.

Photo taken 26 Jan 2009
Today is the first time I've seen this bird and I don't know what it is. It appears gray in the picture but actually had a bluish tint. It also appears to have a crest or tuft of some kind on its head as well as some reddish coloring under its wing. I wish I could have gotten a better picture. If anyone knows what this bird is, please leave a comment.

Photo taken 26 Jan 2009
The female cardinal has just picked up a piece of food.