Thursday, February 17, 2011

yes, it's a bird feeder

It's February in Michigan. And while the weather has temporarily calmed down — you know, it was a balmy 39˚F out yesterday — the scenery is still maybe a little bleak, or maybe I'm a little short on time to go wander around and take better photos.

There is a project that I started on 10 years ago that I never finished, and I'm engrossed in it at the moment. Every couple of years I return to this project, so time will tell if this is the time I actually just do it — finish it.

In the mean time, because I am a professional procrastinator, I finally put out some bird food. Well, that and as I said: t was a balmy 39˚F outside. Sorry birds, but when it's freezing it's just too damned cold for me to feed you — fly South.

Anyway, the crop of regulars showed up. There is a lone black-capped chickadee, the house finches, the gold finches, assorted sparrows, and the juncos.







Juncos are amusing birds. I've heard that they don't eat off of feeders - but that they scrounge around on the ground under the feeder. That was exactly what I saw when a small flock of them showed up yesterday. But they're making progress, at least one of them is. If the goldfinches and house finches can do it, then the juncos can learn it too (as evidenced by the last photo).

10 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

I love juncos. They're so cute - that's a great capture!

Tatter Beans said...

wonderful photos... I adore birds and tress..

Sherry said...

The photos are great, the weather, meh!

I'm itching for spring too.

Out on the prairie said...

I am in my 3rd ,50 lb bag of sunflowers along with an assortment of other seeds and suet.I enjoy giving them treats and even have one feeder close to my house to amuse the cats indoors.It is warm here, I have my motorcycle out for another ride today, it is wet with all the splatter.

Laurie said...

I filled the feeders a couple days ago, after enough snow melted that I could get to them. Yes the juncos are plentiful here in Michigan, where I wish the temps would permanently start rising!

Nancy said...

Juncos do indeed land on the feeders and eat--You and I have proof!

Another myth busted!

Hilary said...

Juncos are adorable. They sure do land on the feeders at times but mostly, I see them enjoying what the messy sparrows have spilled on the ground.

Holly said...

I LOVE the fact that you feed (and identify!) the birds at your house. What precious photos too!

It's been up to 80 degrees down here lately, and we've had all kinds of birds at our place. So I promise that when your friends fly down here, we'll feed and admire them like you do. :-)

Catherine said...

I miss my birds ~ I hope it warms up soon so they will come back. Thank you for sharing yours Sarah! :)
xo Catherine

Kathy said...

Don't doesn't your heart feel good about feeding those hungry little birds?