Some recent visitors...

I've kept a bird feeder out my dining room window for a bit now and recently we have had some new birds come to visit. I was so excited to see the tiny little blue birds...Indigo Bunting. They are about as small as the sparrows that frequent the feeder. In Indiana we have the Bluebird, but I'd never seen this blue beauty till last week. I must have a better variety of feed to have attracted them.

I also noticed the Rose-breasted Grosbeak a few days later which is another new citing. At first I thought they were Baltimore Orioles, but after looking them up on my Merlin Bird ID app, I was able to identify them correctly. If you like knowing what birds are in our area, you might want to go to the App store and download it for free. It's a handy little tool. 

 Two regular visitors are the Blue Jay and the Red-headed Woodpecker. 

 
 

Around the bird feeder today...

With the last batch of snow, I decided to put a wild bird feeder out in order to use up a container of seed. The Carolina Chickadee, a pair of Cardinals and the white-breasted nuthatch seemed to have appreciated the efforts. I even caught a squirrel trying to get to the feeder from a nearby tree, but once he spotted me at the window he decided to go elsewhere. 

Now if only the woodpeckers would come in for a closer view. I've spotted the red-headed woodpecker and Pileated recently with the latter being my favorite. Love to hear their call and they are so beautiful!

Beautiful Hummingbirds

For my birthday last week, I splurged and got a hummingbird feeder. At one time I had one, but it broke from use I believe. Even picked up some vinca plants for some pots I had in storage. I miss having flowers in bloom spring through fall. Having to keep up a landscaped yard was work, but I really enjoyed watching my plants grow each year.

These little Ruby-throated hummingbird females are fun to watch as they fly in and out for some sugar water. Cheap entertainment as we sit on our very quiet long street in the Hoosier National Forest. Quiet at least Monday through Wednesday. lol!

Shot these with my Canon 85mm prime lens. I added two texture layers and a sharpening action.

Baby cardinals today

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Baby cardinals today and four days earlier. By looking at the size difference, the third bird doesn't seem to be getting the same amount of nurishment that the other two have been getting. Poor little guy...

Hatched Baby Cardinals!

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We came home from our trip to Indiana this afternoon and found the cardinals had hatched while we were gone! I only saw three...not sure if the fourth egg is still in the nest and the babies are just laying on it as it was just last about a week and a half ago. Maybe one of the parents rolled it out of the nest...not sure yet.

Backyard Wildlife

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The bird feeder was very popular on this last day of January. I think they were stocking up for the big blizzard too.