This is my first year putting out winter birdfeeders. One more reason to work from home (I can see the feeders from the kitchen table where I usually work). Ever wonder how the birds stay warm during the winter? Gary explains the mechanics in this post. Grizz is starting to see some activity at his feeders, too.
My little guy is feeding as I write this post!
[caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="You looking at me?Ok, ok, I guess I'll stop and pose for you."]
[/caption]
- Thanks for the snack. (you can see a seed in his beak.)
I have lots of these downy woodpeckers around but never thought to put out a feeder for them - I didn't realize they would peck away at a block like that. If the pileated woodpeckers have a go at it, they might break it! I have a different type of feeder that the chickadees love but they store food, so empty the entire feeder within a couple of days, hiding their little seeds in the nooks and crannies of trees, which the squirrels then raid. Then the chickadees are back demanding more food. All of this is a bit ironic since we went to great expense and bought a "squirrel proof" feeder from Lee Valley. Whatever falls on the snow (that the squirrel doesn't get) the flicker comes and picks up.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they would be attracted to my suet feeder, but I'm not complaining! I hope Pileated woodpeckers don't get at it--I'm going away for a week and don't want to come home to a broken feeder (or a missing one if the raccoons get at it). So far no raccons signs and I have yet to see a Pileated woodpecker around (although they do live here). My parents used to have trouble with pileated woodpeckers pecking on their house! I also haven't had trouble with squirrels yet, but in general the winter has been warm with little snow so I think food is still easy for the squirrels and birds to get without needing my feeders.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots. I find birds very challenging to photograph. Well done, he's a fine one!
ReplyDeleteI think you should be very proud of that third shot, Grace. It's excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Foxglove and and Solitary Walker. They are very hard to photograph, but this little guy didn't mind if I got close. I hope the blue jays and grey jays get used to me eventually so I can get good pictures of them too (and finches and chickadees if they start coming around.) I'm going to try standing next to the feeder with seeds in my hand and see if the woodpecker will feed from it. This is my idea of fun:)
ReplyDelete