She wore a raspberry beret...

Deborah at Notes from the Cloud Messenger made a comment on my Redpoll photo yesterday at my other blog and noted that the Redpoll has a beret. I just loved that description. Reminds me of that Prince song.... (do you remember the lyrics .....?)

P.S. Does anyone want to join Dave (from Dave's Birdwatching Blog) and I on our bird handfeeding challenge this summer? Here is Dave's funny comment in reference to my handfeeding the Siskins & Redpolls yesterday in case you missed it :

"Not so fast, Shellmo! Siskins don't count...that's like feeding house sparrows a French fry outside of McDonald's. That being said, I must say, a redpoll in hand with snow in the background...yikes! That may even trump a beautiful bluebird. Consider the challenge accepted, but no points for lame birds. I see our score at 4 to 3-1/2 right now (titmouse, chickadee and redpoll, plus snowy redpoll half point bonus for you...chickadee, bluebird, c wren, and bh nuthatch for me). Game on! :-)"

Personal note to Dave - GAME ON!!!

I IZ THE BIRD WHISPERER!

P.S. Bird models today were the Redpolls and Siskins. They are looking for an agent and will probably be permanent residents of my backyard. Photos courtesy of my husband. I have to say it again - I iz the bird whisperer!

Cranky Nuthatch

For Michele

Today is purple day - devoted to increasing awareness of Epilepsy around the world. Some of you may already visit Michele at The Rocky Mountain Retreat. She has some of the most amazing and beautiful photography you will ever see. What is even more miraculous about Michele is her survival. Michele and her sister were severely abused as children - Michele ended up with Epilepsy and her sister did not survive. Even after all she's been through - she has the ability to see such beauty in this world. She has a loving and adoring husband named Marcel and a beautiful cat named Toomba. This ribbon is for her. Also, Fishing Guy had recently written a beautiful post on Michele and I found out that the Canadian Geese is one of her favorite birds - So this photo of my geese is for her. Michele - you are a beautiful person!

I think she's after me!

This female Redpoll was flitting from the tree, to the deck to the table while I was filling the thistle feeders. I knew she wanted me to hurry. Look at that intimidating face!

Bird Butt Answer

Answer to yesterday's bird butt question - Black Capped Chickadee!

Shortly after Mr. Chickadee mooned me from the tree branch above, he landed on my deck post and proceeded to poop. Gosh, couldn't he have done this while he was in the tree?! (You can see his handiwork on the left side of the photo.)

Name that bird butt

I'll post whose butt it is tomorrow. And what they did with it. Don't you love bird quizzes like this? Ha!

Peter the Tufted Titmouse

I've been hearing a lot of "peter, peter, peter" at the log cabin, so then I just figured the Tufted Titmouse was telling me his name. So here's Peter. The other day he thought it was funny to bounce off my head while I was trying to hand feed the chickadees. Perhaps Peter would like to eat out of my hand?!


*P.S. I am headed to the cabin this weekend and will catch up with you on Sunday. Sorry if I've missed some of your blogs lately, it's been crazy at my house since I've been helping my husband with his company as well as managing my own.

The "Awwww" Photo

Everybody say "awwwwww"....

Morning has broken

Morning has broken,




Like the first morning....





Blackbird has spoken,





...like the first bird.




Praise for the singing, praise for the morning



Praise for them springing fresh from the world.


Sung by Cat Stevens. Lyrics by Eleanor Farjean.

I wanted to share one of my glorious mornings I had this weekend with you.

Response from the Siskins

Dear Shelley,

We are in receipt of your letter requesting that we (the Pine Siskins) leave your bird feeders and migrate out of here. Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, we will need to extend our stay. Additionally, we heard you sweet talking the Red Polls and telling them they could have all the thistle they want. Well if they stay, we are staying!

Your friends,

The Pine Siskins

P.S. By the way....

Letter to my Pine Siskins

Dear Siskins,

While it's been enjoyable having the 30 of you over to visit, I think it is time for you to go. We've had some good times - I fill up the feeder several times in a day - and you empty it several times a day. You've been rambunctious pushing my little Chickadees off the feeders and you even squabble amongst yourselves. Still - I admire your ferociousness and find you cute. But it is time to go. I will see you next winter and be prepared with more thistle feeders. Don't let the bird feeder hit you in the butt on the way out.

Love your friend,

Shelley

Orangepoll or Redpoll??

I know sometimes a bird's diet can play a factor in their coloring. So what orange food was my Redpoll eating? LOL!

Redpoll Humor

Michigan Audubon Conference & Worried about Loons

My beloved Loon parents on Big Bradford Lake in Waters, Michigan.

I'm back from the Michigan Audubon Conference and have had time to think about what I experienced and learned this past weekend. I spoke about Birding & Blogging and reviewed how to set up a blog, blogger etiquette and how blogging can help the birds. All my attendees filled out review forms on me (hopefully no one wrote "thinks she's funny but she's not!") and I was told I got high marks so I was very appreciative!

2nd thing - after attending a presentation on Loons, I am even more worried about their future. Added to the list of loss of habitat affecting these poor Loons, now they have to contend with Avian botulism which is occuring in our Great Lakes. In 2007 - botulism killed an estimated 7,500 migrating and native bird population including many Loons. The theory is that botulism occurs when the zebra mussels filter the water allowing more light to grow cladaphora algae which increases the outbreaks. The birds are affected by eating these infected fish and mussels.

Loons only have 2 loon chicks per year - they are lucky if one survives. Can you imagine the devastation that Botulism could have on our Loon population? I left the conference thinking I need to do more. There are so many opportunities we bird and nature bloggers have to get the message out there - share and exchange information - and help the creatures we care so much about.

More peanuts please!

I am headed to the Michigan Audubon Society's 105th conference this weekend in Lansing where I'll be speaking about Birding & Blogging. Hopefully they think I'm funny! Wait - hopefully they think I'm INFORMATIVE! (But some of you know, I like to add humor to my birds....) Wish me luck!

Fat & Mad

Fat Redpoll!



Mad Redpoll!

Ode to the Tufted Titmouse

I know I say I love every bird but I really do love that Tufted Titmouse! His cute little fish eyes - the little crest on top of his head - the weird "peter, peter, peter" song - what's there not to like?

Singing Chickadee

Today my little Chickadee is going to sing the "fee bee" song for you in "B" minor. Please notice how wide he is able to open up his beak to hit those high notes.







He knows you're impressed so he will now take a bow. Encore anyone?