Saturday, February 5, 2011

Doodle-oo in Too-lee-doo!

The National Center for Nature Photography is in the Secor Metropark.

We weren't quite cold enough sitting at the BirdMobile, so we(meaning the Doodles!) decided to take a tour of two of Toledo's Metroparks where it was even colder. We started at Secor, the home of the National Center for Nature Photography where none of my photos are on display. I can't understand why.

We took a quick walk about then went inside to view the action at the feeders and to thaw out a bit. When the Photo Center opened we went in to view the excellent photos on display(again, I don't understand why I haven't received a call yet!) While there, a very helpful naturalist type of guy told me about good areas for birding and the surrounding trails. He had a familiar look, but I always say that. We looked at some gorgeous photos of Kellys Island by Art Weber. Then the light went on in my tiny brain! That helpful guy IS Art Weber! We talked about his book "Wild Ohio" that I remembered selling when I worked for The Nature Company. Small world, eh?

Then back out into the arctic tundra for a walk in the woods...brrr...

The reason this Black-capped Chickadee is still?
He's actually frozen solid.


You can tell this is a Dark-eyed Junco by his dark eyes.

Dear me. Deer Mouse.
Needs a John Deere plow.

The Doodles wrapped up against the cold posing with someone that didn't wrap up.

Okay, I haven't gotten a single Accipiter right yet.
I'm gonna say Sharp-shinned Hawk and you're gonna tell why it isn't.

He's sure lookin' sharp in any case!

We made Bobb leave the house, that smile on his face is deceptive.
He 's planning more chaos...

Secor, home of the evil, angry Squirrels.

At least they have a few cute Tufted Titmouseseses...or is it Miceses?
I can't wait to get the next edition of Kenn Kaufman's Peterson Advanced Birding Guide to find out which is correct!

"Hey buddy! You're headed the wrong way!"
Silly Nuthatches...


You can tell by the dejected look on this White-throated Sparrow that he's sick of snow too.

The Black-capped Chickadee is still here...and still frozen...from behind.

By the way, check out my new friend Marci's blog...and look where she located the link to "Birds From Behind"...I got the best fans!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Why do Squirrels hate me?

Maybe he's been talking to Bobb...

Monday, January 31, 2011

Lunching with Mr. Coop......

Like all good bird nerds, I eat lunch at the window with my camera and bins handy!
If you look by the small tree, just past the evergreens, you'll see Mr. Coop having lunch also.


So, there I was, staring at the computer, editing photos(will it never end?!) when the Doodles screams down the stairs "There's a Hawk eating one of your buddies!" It's truly how amazing I can run up the stairs for a bird! I looked through the window, and the screen, and the trees, and there he sits staring back at us. A lovely Cooper's Hawk. AND he's eating my least favorite bird, a European Starling! One less pig stealing our seed! My apologies to our European friends...

This all started about 11:15am...and for some reason it made me very hungry. I had a delightful grilled ham and pepper jack cheese samich, no starling, while I watched and shot pics through the window. When I finished(he was STILL plucking) I thought I would try to get a few shots outside. I walked slowly down the driveway towards him, and he didn't care a bit. He looked up occasionally, but went right back to plucking and om-nomming the starling. What fun!

Careful, the last photo is a little graphic...sort of the last shots of a Euro-booty...

My non-birding friends will never understand...

First, I'll just peek around the fence...

Then I'll walk a little closer, being very nonchalant of course...

Deep in Hawk heaven, he doesn't care about me.

All the while this Cooper's is waiting in a tree across the street.

Doodles was working on her latest recipe, now called "Cooper's Balls" in honor of our starling remover.

Hawks would never eat these, I probably won't either.
Chia seed(doesn't make my hair grow back), spelt flour and other 'heathly' organicky contents designed for seed eaters like the Doodles.


"HEAD'S UP!"
Kind of like in the "Godfather" movies...watch out for that last kiss!


" I don't share!"

A clean beak is a happy beak!

**WARNING!!**

The best European Starling I've seen in a long time...
I don't think he'll be emptying my feeders anymore.

*Please note the streak going from left to right...
Mr. Cooper had to make room for more food...


* I've received a few emails and the comment from Larry suggesting the feeding accipiter is a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Any further suggestions would be great!