Comparing Grosbeaks & Taking a Poll

The photos of this male and female Grosbeak were taken last summer. I felt like posting them again as I'm anticipating their return soon to our log cabin. The Grosbeaks are one of my favorite birds which got me to thinking. (And also inspired from my blogger friend Wendy who loves to do Top 5 Polls!)

What are your Top 5 favorite birds? (I know it's hard, but you must have some preferences...) Mine are:

1. Common Loon (no surprise here)
2. Black-capped Chickadee
3. Bald Eagle
4. Blue Heron
5. Common Redpoll (they won me over this winter by eating out of my hand!) tied with my Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Siskin Fun

Since the Pine Siskins have become my new best friend (shh! Don't tell my Loons!) - I thought we could have some Siskin fun this morning.

Siskin mooning me.....





Siskin eating me out of house and home....




Siskin being messy and dropping their food on the ground! (Can you see him focused on the seed falling down?)

Junco or vacuum?

On the way to fill the bird feeders, I spilled some thistle all over my door mat. On the way back I watched this Junco picking through it like a vacuum cleaner. He's a cute little fella, isn't he? :)

Playing with my new camera lens

First off let me say I love my new Sigma Camera Lens. But it doesn't love me yet.... I did take it into the camera shop and embarrassingly it was user error! Sheesh! A kind professional photographer happened to be in the shop visiting and took pity on me as well as putting me on the right track. Hopefully. Anyways, here's a few practice shots....


Red-winged Blackbird playing peekaboo....




My new best friend - the Pine Siskin.

Other things going on in my yard

My backyard activity is starting to pick up. Bob the Mourning Dove's wife is laying on some eggs. Pretty soon we'll have little Bobs running around messing up my birdbath. Other things going on in my yard....


My Hyacinths have popped up!





My little angel statue made it through the winter...




And this sparrow is apparently building the biggest nest possible!


I'm headed up to our cabin today with my mother to celebrate her birthday. I hope I can capture some better Loon photos this weekend. Wish me luck! (My computer access will be sporadic but I will be back soon to check your blogs!!)

I won't like Siskins

I keep saying it to myself. I won't like Siskins, I won't like Siskins! I try to remind myself what little pigs they are at the feeder! And how they bully the other birds! And they fight with each other! No, I won't like Siskins!

*Disclaimer: Shelley likes Siskins.

Polite Chickadee

Just a little crumb for me please!