American Goldfinch--I Think

Saw this bird on the feeder and didn't recognize it.  After looking in my bird book, I think it's a female American Goldfinch, and I haven't seen one on our feeders before, so that was fun.  I took these at ISO 2000, so they are very grainy when enlarged.

This Nuthatch actually stood right-side up on the feeder, also a first!

Great Backyard Bird Count

Kris sent me a link to this bird count that was supposed to happen this weekend.  I looked out at the bird feeders yesterday and all I ever saw were a few sparrows.  Well today as I was fixing lunch we had quite a few varieties show up!  The light wasn't wonderful, but Sam caught a couple of Pine Siskin at one of the feeders, something we had not seen before.

A Thawing Lake

Went for a walk this afternoon around the lake.  Looks like we have one more day of beautiful weather and then we're back to winter.  Took my camera along.

That which looks like a reflection of the ice is actually the rest of the layer of ice under the water.  Kinda cool to see.

More Flickers and a Pigeon

Sam asked why I didn't post more of the Flicker shots that he took Sunday afternoon.   Here are a few more plus a photo of a pigeon that I took Saturday afternoon.  I love the colors on the pigeon, an ordinary bird with extraordinary beauty.

Lunch Guests

Today I fixed lunch and Sam took photos of all of our guests.  We couldn't believe the variety of birds that visited our feeders.  I had seen the Red-Breasted Nuthatch yesterday for the first time, but wasn't able to get a shot of him.  We had a Red-bellied Woodpecker stop by today as well but we were busy eating so we didn't take his photo.

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal

Mr. and Mrs. Downy Woodpecker

White-Breasted Nuthatch

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Northern Flicker

Ever present Junco

Nine Mile Prairie

This morning Kris and I went to Nine Mile Prairie to snowshoe.  When we got there it looked like the snow was rather spotty so we decided to forgo the snowshoes and just walk.  Not so sure that was the best idea as we had to leave the trail several times because the snow was so deep.  Oh well, it was a beautiful morning for a walk and we saw some Bluebirds! 

I didn't have my 100-400mm lens so my Bluebird photos aren't the best, but at least I got to see them and take some shots of them.  I was amazed at just how blue they were, and they weren't too shy either.

Fourth Snow Day of the Year

Yipee!  I figure, since we can have 5 snow days before we have to make them up, we should use them all.  One more to go! 

Still watching the birds that stop by our deck.

 We always have lots of Junco.

 This is the backside of a Nuthatch.  They are so fast, they're hard to photograph.  This one actually stayed long enough for me to take a couple of shots.

 A Cardinal visiting the bird bath.

Brown Creeper

Today is another snow day, so I get to see what birds come to our feeders on the back deck.  As I looked over at the neighbor's tree I noticed this little guy way down at the base of the trunk who was hopping up the tree.  I took some photos, which are not very good but at least evidence, and then looked in the bird book to find that he was a Brown Creeper.  First time I've ever seen one!