Wild Bird Wednesday

I got a nuthatch!  Well, actually, I got some pics of a couple of different nuthatches!  And, I'm pretty excited... because they are as elusive ..maybe more so... than the chickadees.

Maybe it is male and female ..maybe there are different colourations... I'm not sure.  Tomorrow ... I'll look up some birdie info on them... but, for now I just wanted to brag about them coming to check out my new feeder.

UPdate... I'm thinking the first guy is a Red Breasted Nuthatch... and, the lower one might be a White Breasted Nuthatch .. there... I think I've got it figured out.

They only seem to come around if other birds are there ...especially lots of sparrows.  Maybe they like them to act as guard birds or something... warning about danger by flying off in a hurry if there is danger... and, seeing as I have plenty of sparrows around..it is noisy when they "flurry"....

The little nuthatches are so cute.  Hanging off the side of the feeder..getting a seed and then off they fly to enjoy it.  Much like the chickadees.  They don't hang around and nibble their snacks like the sparrows do.

The sparrows are pigs... they jump on and off the little perches ... sitting and nibbling for a bit .. flying off for a drink...or to hop around on the ground and clean up little things that fell off when they were in their eating frenzy.  In and out of the tree and the shrub and onto the feeder again... til they eat me out of house and home and then...sit on the patio wall looking at me through the window.  Well, I feel like they are looking at me....

I bought a big bag of seeds today... $43.00 ... yikes!  And, I looked at a winter bird water bowl... with a heater in it so they can have open water in the frigid weather.  $104.00 .... sigh...... having fun with birds can start to add up.

Click on the pics to make 'em bigger and get close up and personal with a nuthatch... or two ... aren't they cute?

And, if you like birds, check out Wild Bird Wednesday ... click on the badge below to go directly to the site.

On Golden Pond

This is not a very clear photo of the beautiful little guy..... but, it just had to be taken... ... after all, it was a chickadee..and they can disappear pretty quickly sometimes.  This guy seemed to be content to just sit there though....too bad I wasn't a bit more careful this time.

I have a lot of shots of disappearing bums, flapping wings, or, nothing at all in the frame when it comes to birds...

So, I had to show it to you.

The setting sun was reflecting off the windows across the street... and it looked so great on the water....

Wild Bird Wednesday

I've shown you a Northern Flicker before...but, this is different.

Last week I bought a birdie feeder.  It's called a Squirrel Buster.  It has a mechanism that prevents squirrels from getting the seeds.  They weigh more than any of the birds I want to see on my feeder.

The factory setting is about 2.5 ounces to 4 ounces or something like that.  I'll have to read up on it again.  It's difficult to determine exactly how much I turned the screw to increase the weight allowed before it closes down now... ..although, I do have a gram scale and will eventually test how much I now have it set for...

For the first few days I left it at factory setting.  This happened.

( Click on any photo to "biggify" )

The poor guy (or maybe now that I look closely at my own photo..this is not a guy)...I'm not totally sure. Anyway.. she/he gave it his best athletic chin up performance and the feeder closed down ... darn it.  I still want Flickers and Jays to be able to get some seeds... so I will have to figure out weights ..

He did immediately look around on the ground under it and got some for sure.... they are messy little guys, those chickadees and sparrows... and...a nuthatch and a Mr. Chirpy (that would be a house finch for those that didn't see my other post)...  so far that is what I've seen hanging around.  He also hung around for ants and other little tasty bits in the dirt in the garden.

The next day he came again... but, I looked closer, and, well, it isn't the same one.  Anyway... this time he didn't bother with the feeder... but, hopped right onto the edge of the bird bath.

I think somebody's Mummy forgot to tell this poor guy that he isn't a sparrow.  He tried to talk with them... but, they weren't having any of it.  In they jumped and splashed water all over him... how rude...

He tried to fend off the major splashes... ... but, they just kept at it..

Finally it got to be too much...

He cannonballed 'em.... hahhahah...they got outta there!! That guy on the right looks like a flying lobster!

But, they disappeared and then he was all alone.  He just sat there looking around....
One of them hid out under the bath...

Hey, where did you guys go??...

He played quietly for a bit...then sat there some more...in the middle of the bath... all alone....
Finally, one little sparrow showed up and they had a chat...

Then, a second came and the Flicker hopped out to give them room......
 In they both went.

And, then..... a whole flock of them started hopping in and out of the water ... I think he felt a bit overwhelmed .. he flew off and left them to their own wild splashing...

By the time they finished...I had to add more water!

If you want to see other birds and lots of great photography, check out Wild Bird Wednesday... click on the badge below.

Wild Bird Wednesday

.... and, ........I don't have anything exotic or unusual this week.  Nope.  Just some run-of-the-mill, everyday, house sparrows.

But....I have to say...they are a pretty interesting and cute bunch of guys ...and gals too I guess.  I love their antics.

Seeing as I am not a bird watching connoisseur ....I haven't a clue really about gender, etc..  But, there are various colourations, and maybe even a few different types... who knows?  Not me... but, you might.... so, let me know if you have specific information.

Meantime... to see them larger ..."biggify" by clicking on the pics....

Checking for danger before having a bath......

Oooooh ....it's cold....... and, ....kinda deep...........it's already up to my feathers..... !!

Alright then... perhaps a face wash at the very least......


Hey!  who's that interrupting my fun? ......

What the? .... where did THEY all come from?........

Brother........

If you want to see all sorts of exotic and beautiful birds ...and some absolutely amazing photography .... head on over to Wild Bird Wednesday.... just click on the badge below...

Emu feathers? ...

I wonder if some little birdie used some of "That Emu's" feathers to line a downy nest in this little birdie box?

It is on a tree in his enclosure ... and, it sort of looks like they could be his..... yup, I think they are some of his plumage.... or, were......

Anyway...I think it's a nice photo and just wanted to post a fun thing for you to see on this Monday....

"That Emu" ... near the same tree....

Click on the pics to enlarge for a better look......

Wild Bird Wednesday

... wherein I show you a bird not indigenous to Canada (where I live) and tell you a little story about "That Emu" .....

My sister lives in the neighbouring province... I go there from time to time... and, once we drove past a field in which I spied a huge bird. An emu!  What??!!  I couldn't believe my eyes and, of course, wanted to stop right away and take pictures.  But, we were already past him and continued on to her place.

Later, I mentioned that we should go to take a picture of the emu but she somehow was thinking I meant getting a picture of some llamas in the neighourhood.... and, in her head was thinking where would be the best place to find some llamas to photograph.  Anyway... time passed, we didn't go, and next time we spoke of it ...probably even in my next visit a year later.... she said .."oh that emu!" ..   We laughed our heads off after we figured out the mental mix up ... Vikki may even have had pink cheeks, ....and now, it will be forever referred to as "That Emu" in any conversation we have about it ... likely til the end of time... because we do enjoy our little foibles...

And, so it is with much ado about one little guy...or girl, because I have no clue which it might be.... that I give you....

 "That Emu"

and, don't forget ...to biggify any pic, just click on it.... get up close and personal to an emu.  Not just any old emu either ..... but, "That Emu"

I don't know the story behind how this one came to Canada, and I can't imagine how he survives in the -30C days in winter, even though they say they are very able to withstand variances in temperatures because they have a great cooling and heating system.  They only mention temps. as low as -5C...  My sister does know the lady who is a neighbour to it and eventually we may find out all the details.  Stay tuned.   She gave us permission to go in her yard to get a photo and that was good enough for us this time around.

They are a bird native to Australia.  Wiki says they grow to as tall as 6 foot 6 ... so he isn't actually a little guy at all ... I don't know exactly how tall this one is ..but, he was well above the 4.5 foot fence around him and has been there for years so is fully grown.

He came up close to us after a bit when he was sure we were harmless ... which I guess I didn't think he would.... so, wouldn't you know it.. ....I had on my zoom lens and the other was in the car and I didn't have time to change it so had to keep backing up to get him in focus.  Well, that and I wasn't sure if he would perhaps be "peckish"  so didn't stand too close to the wire.  Darn it I so wanted a close up of his face.  Closer than this.
I need two camera bodies ... with different lenses on each.  Maybe some day....

He even sat down, and, with his huge clawed feet, inched right up to the wire ...  even got his feet right inside it.  I wasn't sure if that was so he could get his head closer to the fence or if that is what he does for treats or what... either way... we didn't feel brave enough to take chances and besides that ..we were getting concerned in case he got hung up in the fencing wires...so we stood further away and then he ambled off ..... over near his favourite tree.  We should have asked the lady if we could take him treats ... and, what he likes.... perhaps carrots or apples or other fruits from what I've seen on another blog about emus.... next time.... and maybe next time I will try to stroke that soft curly hair if we find out he is used to being petted.

The area he was in was mostly tall grasses with a few trees in it... it was a fairly large area.  I wondered if he was lonely....

Look at the size of those legs...like fence posts.... and, how I wish I had a pic of those huge claws and feet.... !!   I read in Wiki that they are "powerful enough to tear down metal wire fences" ... .... honestly..it said that!  But, he did seem pretty tame .... so we didn't think he would do that.

Well, there you have it.  My wild bird guy for Wild Bird Wednesday... and now I'm off over to see what other birds have been photographed for today.....

Click on the badge below if you'd like to check them out too ...

Wild Bird Wednesday

We call him Mr. Chirpy.  His real name is House Finch.

He has some wonderful chirpy songs.... .... and, is pretty camera shy.  Yes, I know it looks like he is just a show off...but, I only managed to capture these pics through a window with a venetian blind in it.  And, I had to move stealthily because he flew off the second he noticed any movement.  I hardly ever manage to outwit them when I am outside...they check on me from a tall tree across the street... sing at the top of their little lungs and wait til I go in the house....arrrghhhhh!!

((Remember to click on any of the photos to "biggify" them...))

However, I managed to adjust the blind just so for the angle I needed to the birdie bath ....and, after the first few blurry photos and him leaving and then coming back later (of course, I don't know for sure it was the same guy...but, I'm pretending it was) .... I managed to get him having some fun in the birdie bath.

This may not be the same guy...and, was probably several days before the rest of the shots...  ...but, had to show you how cool and collected a "Chirpy' can look... . ..  
                                                               

.... before it becomes this..!!

 Woooohooooo!!

... and, he ends up totally bedraggled and spiky.... ..

If you would like to see more fun and interesting birds...head on over to
Wild Bird Wednesday by clicking on the photo below...

Wild Bird Wednesday

This cute little guy (although, from the lighter coloration I think it may be a little girl) ...  came to my birdie bath...a couple of weeks ago now...but, I didn't want to miss out on the Wednesday fun...even though it is already Thursday.

A baby sparrow...well, not really a baby, but still quite a young tyke; not much of a tail to speak of and so cute.

Don't forget... click on the picture to "biggify" ...you can sneak up a bit closer that way....

Eventually a young robin showed up as well.... and they shared.  Something most adult sparrows and robins don't seem to do .... funny how they get all territorial later in life.... hmmmm......

Now, I'm off to check out some birds on Wild Bird Wednesday.

Click on the pic below if you'd like to see some too....

City mouse or country mouse..

We live in a fairly big city...but, you'd never guess it by the wildlife that is close by.

We also live close to a city golf course that has a big culvert that runs under a highway to a big park area ... where people walk dogs, but where some deer always manage to survive as well.  I'm sure several don't make it but, I'm not even going to think about that part of life.  I like to think they all get big, strong and find somebody to love.

Like this little guy.  Look at those cute little velvety antlers... awww..

Somehow he got over or around some fencing and was in our cul de sac last week.   ...   I've seen him twice since and his little footy prints are on my lawn in the mornings and, in my garden....I must get up earlier so I can photograph him directly outside my window!  .. Well, maybe he comes in the night ... not the early a.m.... who knows... ....

Anyway... here are some fun shots of him that Mr. BV got while I got dressed ..I was still in my 'jammies.... and, then...a few more I got of him as I followed him from yard to yard ...til he got too far down the block...and, I felt a bit guilty playing paparazzi ... poor little guy...

Two days before that I had seen the same little guy on the 12th tee box on the golf course... hiding (sort of) and nibbling bushes there as well... he was doing the hiding and nibbling..not me.

Click on the pics to "biggify" ....

Good Fences

In Portugal once again.... where we holidayed a couple years ago.

This is the Quinta do Seixo...  in the Douro region of Portugal.  A very modern visitor centre for Sandeman port.  Even though it was not open for the season, there was staff there, and, they did open just for us..... we had our tour and then we tasted some port.  Several varieties of port....  and, of course, we bought a few bottles to take home.

This is their trademark motif...

I love this photo because it looks like two people dressed like the "Don" as they call him... they look like they are whispering to each other...

It is so weird how this photo turned out... it is actually the door handle (inside and out) on a clear glass door leading out onto the front area of the visitor centre...

... and, even though I stray a bit...there is a fence in the background...

Here is the story of "The Don" ..   taken from the Sandeman site.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In 1928 George Massiot Brown was an artist working for the Lochend Printing company, who approached Sandeman for business.  Sandeman requested some designs for posters, and the remarkable silhouette of the Don was born.

Dressed like the Spanish caballeros de Jerez in a Portuguese student's cape and wide brimmed hat, the Don cuts a dark, dramatic figure within glass of ruby coloured Porto.

George Massiot Brown was well aware that French poster artists were very much in vogue, so signed his artwork as G. Massiot to hide his Scottish origins.

Little did he know that The Don would be the very first iconic logo for a wine.  Recognized throughout the world, The Don represents the mystery and sensuality that communicates the Sandeman brand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

............ and, here are a few more fences ..although the fences were barely there.. some fine wire and posts ...

A short wall that surrounds the visitor centre... just below steps from which you look down upon the river Douro and terraced hillsides of grapes..

View from the other side of the centre..

... another cement wall...

and, a stop on the way out to get a better shot of the entrance to the centre...stone and cement ...

If you want to check out some other great fences, click on the button below and it will take you to Tex's site... the Run-a-Round Ranch