Saturday, November 7, 2009

Camera Critter #83

Most days when I open my door and go outside, I scare up a number of birds. They hang around the feeders hanging in the Apple Tree in the back yard.

And everyday I think, I should photograph some of these birds if I can get them to come around while I am waiting for them.

Friday afternoon, after the rain cleared the area and the sun came out, I grabbed my camera and did what I have been doing for an hour a day for the past five days...I sat down on the bench and waited.

Birds would fly to the tree, see me and zip off somewhere else...until Friday. Instead, they landed in the tree, slowly drifted down to the feeders and began feeding. Some dropped to the ground. But none of the birds spooked when I would lift my camera.

Though the light wasn't great, I was able to get a few shots of some of the birds. There were a nice variety of birds, from jays to a towhee to sparrows. And then there were the finches. The most common finch I see at the feeders is the Lesser Goldfinch. There are American Goldfinches which stop by, but by far the most common is the Lesser Goldfinch.

The finch below is a first year male, sometimes referred to as a "green-back." Males of this species have a green back. However, there are black backed finches which occur in south Texas for the most part.


Another first year bird visiting the feeders was a first year White-crowned Sparrow. This species winters in my area, and spends its summers in the higher elevations. I'll see these birds throughout the winter and then in late spring, they will disappear until late October.

Along with sparrows, the Dark-eyed Juncos also arrive. Known as "Snow birds," they too spend their summers in the higher elevations. However, I wasn't able to get a shot of one of them. They may take a little longer to get used to me.

Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critters!

17 comments:

squirrel said...

Great photos and I look forward to seeing a Junco next time.

Chubskulit Rose said...

gorgeous little birdies!

My children's first encounter with pigs

Hootin Anni said...

beautiful.

My camera critter is posted now...scroll down below the Photo Hunt entry to view my bronze elephant photo.

Click Here

eileeninmd said...

Great photos of the Lesser goldfinch and the White crowned Sparrow. the Lesser would be a lifer for me. Maybe someday I will see it.

B : ) said...

Beautiful! B : )

http://bleemcguire.blogspot.com/2009/11/color-carnival-and-camera-critters-its.html

DeniseinVA said...

You've got some great shots here. Enjoyed them immensely, thank you.

i beati said...

I could watch them aLL DAY

Anonymous said...

Great photos, and well worth waiting for. Bird photography takes lots of patience.

Marie said...

So neat and lovely!

Jane said...

Beautiful shots Ashrunner, thanks for sharing:)

Oskar said...

Wow, you are an excellent photographer!

Rhea said...

Nice shots! How are you always first on Camera Critters?!!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Great photos, and the juncos are back in Iowa so that means snow will soon follow.

Rechie said...

beautiful critters you have here...

mine is a monkey

Lio Popov said...

A great way to to the birds. Nice way to them useful. Greetings from Bulgaria!!!

Calico Crazy said...

Fantastic photos! Can't wait to see who decides to visit you next.

Calico Contemplations

Misty DawnS said...

Great captures! I saw a Towhee when I was out walking with Dad this past July. It was neat! I think Juncos are so cute.