caught in the act, with birds

post #479
          I started preparing this post around noon, but it turns out there's more to it than I realized.  So I took a break to work on my tax prep since I'm meeting with my great preparer at noon tomorrow, in Grayson (near the favorite lake surrounded by cliffs that have often been in my photo stories.) Now it is the evening, and neither task is completed. BUT I just happen, at least, to have some photos to share.
         Last week's thoughts about seeing lead me to this week's thoughts about the dynamics of relying on seeing things in order to realize the opportunity that comes my way.  In my former house, I often felt like I was in a nest, looking out, seeing what ever came to visit.  Birds were usually willing to alight outside. They were particularly drawn to the black walnut tree whose branches hang over the deck. The bark is great for holding a seed, but also there must be something safe about the spacing between the branches?
         As today I gathered together photos of various bird visits, I was amazed all over again. What a privilege. I don't have a reason to be a bird photographer, and I don't have any special lenses or expertise, but the birds appear anyway. I drop everything to make a photo, if it happens that the light is right. It has to be, or I can't take photos through a window.    
         I start out being disbelieving, and then turn grateful, and throughout feel darn lucky.

bedroom window, with a tripod, trying for "two birds, daylight's words" for Counting on the Woods, thank you mourning doves for being able to hang together long enough for me to make this photo!!

I believe this is a fledgling red-bellied woodpecker, in the walnut tree.

Mama cardinal, from the kitchen window

a molting goldfinch on the artwork on the deck, through the sliding door

Fledgling behavior is a good time to record since there is coming and going from the same spot.  Next week I will show the whole series of photos I made from this dad's efforts to feed two offspring.

         

In my experience, this fledgling feeding behavior doesn't last long. Quick learners.

           I want to end this week's post with two photos I made at a friend's farm nearby. The bird is not particularly Appalachian, but he does add a lively dimension to the farm yard! They are just as noisy here as they were when we visited India many years ago. 
         These photo stories of my bird encounters will take up the next two weeks! I'm not just "winging" it. 

I believe the real action and showing off is behind....

but the way he gets his head to stay still with all that shaking going on behind is far beyond my skill set!!

        Now back to finishing my tax prep, can't wait to do more of this next week.

BIrds who have visited me, part 4: single moments

post #280
       I am finishing this bird series with a collection of photos I have managed to make on the run, with no one bird or birds staying around very long.  All are from within the house, and most probably through a window. The light would have had to be right to make that work, however. Most of these photos I have posted before in the five years of this blog....
       Please remember: birds don't usually wait around for me to get my camera and certainly not for me to take off a screen and open the window! The one exception might be the mourning doves, which I see from the window in the bedroom upstairs. They actually enjoy  a quiet moment with their kin or is it their mate! (It's hard for me to tell which is male and which is female.)

blending in with the black walnut bark (I think this is a young sapsucker, but I am not sure. Will anyone take me on?)

a parading gathering of turkeys -- called a gang -- three weeks ago

back again two days later, foraging

mourning doves

a red-bellied woodpecker, sunflower seed in beak

several bluebirds in the same bush with berries

female cardinal

male cardinal, the Kentucky state bird

the walnut tree still again, with the bird feeder near by

two fledglings busy trying to be first for the food their dad must surely be bringing them 

        I have a two photos I can't locate at the moment that I want to include here; I plan to post them as soon as I find them. I am so honored to have the company of these birds.