birds-from-my-backyard « WordPress.com Tag Feed

White-throated Sparrow

avian101 — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:40:49 +0000

The White-throated Sparrow is a fairly common sparrow that is found in New England, USA and Canada places where they breed and migrate in winter to southern and eastern USA.

These birds are passerines with white tripes on the crown and white on the throat, the body is light gray and wings brown with creamy bars and light streak on back and tail. Something very distinctive are a bright yellow brow and black eyes.

I have seen these sparrows many times in my backyard even when I haven’t gotten a chance to shoot many pictures, they scurry around the bushes very quickly.

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Brown Thrasher

avian101 — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:38:05 +0000

The Brown Thrasher is a bird that I see in my backyard usually after a heavy downpour. It uses its long and strong bill to pull earthworms and other bugs that come out after heavy rains. This bird walks fast and scurries around the whole area. It uses its bill to pock the ground until getting the worm out which then swallows in one gulp. The Brown Thrasher is the official State of Georgia bird, if you didn’t know. Rufus-Brown head, rump and tail, wings has lighter bars. It has a dark streaked breast and buffy underparts. Its eyes are bright gold. They usually nest in dense brush, they are partial migratory.

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Backyard Care

avian101 — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:03:23 +0000

I’ve been working hard in my backyard lately, I have done some trimming of some bushes, weeded tons of it, I mowed the grass also and hedging, etc. While I was there I took a peek to the Eastern Bluebird’s house because I was curious to know how they were doing!,since I hadn’t seen them for a while! When I opened the door there was no nest at all . It seems to me that when I saw the bluebirds days before, they were only surveying the area and did not like it after all after they checked it so much.

It’s all the opposite with the Carolina Chickadees couple, they are in the other bird house with a nest. I see the birds going in and out daily.

Dark Yellow Lilie

My wife Lucy had planted some Dark Yellow Lilies and I noticed one the buds had opened already and shows a gorgeous flower! I got some pictures of it. While I was shooting this flower I saw the biggest Yellow Jacket wasp walking around the Lillie plant. I shot a couple of pictures of the insect too.

I have a picture of some azaleas from the side of our deck.

Also have pictures of my backyard showing a plant that I do not know its name yet. It’s blooming and I love how beautiful it looks. I also have some pictures of Northern Cardinals, we have several couples of them flying around all the time.

Large Yellow Jacket wasp

Our weather returned to warm after having a cold wave for several days, it gets a bit windy once in a while. I have to refill the feeders more often when is windy!

Note: For the people that ask me about how many birds I have photographed in my backyard, the count is posted on the side bar of the blog. (I do not count birds that I’ve seen only)

Dark Pink Azaleas

Mysterious plant

My backyard!

Hungry Northern Cardinal (M) Fights the wind in order to eat!

Another N. Cardinal (M) Looking for seeds near feeder.

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Eastern Phoebe

avian101 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:48:19 +0000

Eastern Phoebe is not a common bird in the area where I live. They’re small birds that are not easy to spot if they are on trees. Their basic colors make a great camouflage.

These birds have a gentle face with a small flatten bill.

E. Phoebe feed mostly on insects which they catch in flight. It is a migratory passerine bird, they do their wintering on the southern end of USA and as far as central America.

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Eastern Towhee

avian101 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:12:03 +0000

Eastern Towhees have been in my backyard from day one. They are active birds, ground feeders, they live an independent life around the area where they have their nests, deep into the bushes. Male and female once they have built a nest as a couple, they go everywhere together.

These birds are dimorphic, being the male the one with the black body and the female has brown body.

Their tails are long which they fan it on and off flashing the white under tail feathers.

Eastern Towhee (M)

Eastern Towhee (F)

Eastern Towhee (M)

Eastern Towhee (F)

Eastern Towhee (M)

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Blue Grosbeak

avian101 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:42:30 +0000

A few days ago I wrote and posted about the Indigo Bunting and I mentioned the similarities with another bird; this bird is the Blue Grosbeak.

Approximately the size of a Northern Cardinal, it has a bright blue color and brownish wings and parts of the body, depending on the breeding plumage. Blue Grosbeaks are dimorphic (visual difference between male and female).

The female is not blue but cinnamon brown, and in rare cases it might have specks of blue on her body.

Both male and female have a black mask and a silvery lower mandible beak typical for this species. The reflection of the sun light at certain angles determines the bright blue or the darker hue.

Blue Grosbeak (M)

Blue Grosbeak (F)

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

House Finch

avian101 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:37:17 +0000

House Finches are the “Other red birds” for many people, which always keep in mind the Cardinals when they see a bird with red feathers and find that they are not! That’s when they refer of House Finches as the other red birds!

I think it’s a bit unfair to them because these birds are very common and are seen in almost every backyard feeder. They mostly mind their own business. When they found their mate is a whole romantic story. They do things together and they are most of the time next to each other. When they nest and are incubating eggs they take turns to lay on the eggs.

I think this species are cool birds, very family oriented. They watch from a far high point when is time for the fledging of their young finches.

House Finch (F)

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Brown-headed Nuthatch

avian101 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:03:17 +0000

The smallest mature bird I have photographed is the Brown-headed Nuthatch. This tiny bird is an amazing flier and natural acrobat. It can walk down tree trucks or any kind of wood. It loves the sunflower seeds, he grabs one at the time and goes back to its nest or a safe place and cracks the seed open to eat the oily pulp filled with nutrients. It’s one of the hardest birds to get a good photograph because it moves extremely fast and its sudden moves makes a good test for any photographer’s patience.

Click on images to see enlargement

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Field Sparrow

avian101 — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 11:55:14 +0000

One of the most loyal visitors and residents in my backyard are the small Field Sparrows. They are pretty little fellows that all year round are coming to my feeders. It doesn’t matter if is raining, snowing or there’s hail coming down, they’ll make their way to the feeders.

Their main food is small seeds and I imagine that they might eat mosquitos or small insects. I’ve never seen them eat any worms or grubs. Another thing I haven’t seen is a nest made by them. I don’t like to disturb any birds or their nests with my presence. I limit myself to refill the feeders with seeds and make sure these are clean.

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and Photographs are © H.J. Ruiz -Avian 101

Cooper's Hawk

avian101 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:03:33 +0000

There’s always a predator among harmless creatures in their habitat and that’s how Nature has set the wilderness laws.

Today I’m posting a few words of information about the Cooper’s Hawk. First, I should say that this species of hawks are the most assiduous predators of small birds, rodents and snakes in Georgia.

Perhaps I should tell you a short story of how I became more interested in birds. I had recently moved to Georgia had to travel to other locations for business reasons. One day I was driving along a road when something moving from a high tree called my attention, it was a hawk, that later I learned it was a Cooper’s Hawk. It flew across the road, landed in a ditch at the side of the road and then flew off again, only this time it had a garden snake gripped in its talons. I was very impressed to have witnessed that scene.

From that moment on I kept my eyes alert to see any kind of birds flying around. Little by little I got more involved with birds, I think you know the rest of the story by now!

Click on the images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Blue Jay

avian101 — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:45:27 +0000

Since we are in the blue streak, let’s do this post about the Blue Jays. They are part of the family of the Blackbirds. They usually hang out in the same flock with other blackbirds such as Cowbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles. Blue Jays are medium size birds, with an outstanding plumage. They feed mostly from the ground, they forage the grassy areas for insects, grubs, seeds etc.

Click on image for enlargement

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

We Need Some Rain

avian101 — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:41:48 +0000

Days go by and we haven’t had any rain for over a week. My plants and grass need water badly. I hope we get some rain soon because otherwise it will be costly for us. If we use tap water for spraying the lawn and all our plants, it’d cost us a fortune, the water bills are bad as they are now; In the other hand if the plants are not watered they most likely would die! We have Bermuda grass all around our house which is treated on a monthly basis for weeds, insects,etc. That cost too! All that would be going to waste without water. My last alternative is googling the internet for: Learning how to do the Rain Dance!

LAST MINUTE NEWS: It rained all night!!!

I have some pictures for you, pano type:

Northern Cardinal (F)

House Finch (M)

Northern Cardinal (M)

Field Sparrows

Carolina Chickadee

Click on images to see enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Indigo Bunting

avian101 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:46:35 +0000

The Indigo Bunting is small bird with very similar features to the Blue Grosbeak at first look but they do have size and features that are different. Indigo Buntings are smaller, their color is bright blue mainly, with some dark

brown or black at the edge of wings, tail and head. Do not sport a black mask as the Blue Grosbeak. It’s a very pretty bird. When is flying looks darker that when is standing, it’s caused by the light reflecting on their feathers.

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Red-headed Woodpecker

avian101 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:42:18 +0000

For any blog readers that are not familiar with the Red-headed Woodpecker, I bring you some pictures from previous seasons. So far they’re not yet back to this area but I consider that is kind of early in the season yet.

These birds are as you can see, beautiful, their striking colors are bright and well defined. Their beaks as for all woodpeckers, is long and very hard, enough to poke and bore holes in the wood.

I had the Red-headed Woodpeckers coming to my backyard for over three Springs. I’m sure they’ll show up any time.

Click on images for enlargements

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Song Sparrow

avian101 — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:04:25 +0000

Song Sparrows have been around my backyard since I moved in day one. They are around all seasons, they nest in the brush area near the creek. They love to eat from the ground an occasionally go to the feeders. These birds are good singers with a variety of songs that are possibly used as means of communicating with each other at distance i.e.: Signal for danger, predators in sight, food etc.

I see the Song Sparrows almost daily, scurrying around between bushes, plants, under the deck, flower pots. They love to forage around.

They are the most numerous sparrows in America if you didn’t know.

Click on images for enlargement

Text and photographs are © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Eastern Bluebirds Redux

avian101 — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:52:14 +0000

I’ve been reviewing some photos from previous seasons with Eastern Bluebirds as subjects. I have many photos but I pick some for you. There’re many new blog followers that are not too familiar with my previous photos. I hope that it will satisfy the ones that requested these birds since they find them to be amongst their favorites.

Click on images for enlargement

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101

Let's Make a Deal!

avian101 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:41:31 +0000

I’ve been doing hard yard work lately, my backyard is looking good, better that my scratched legs! Flowers are appearing all over and the pollen situation is really bad because it hasn’t rained lately, we need rain to wash some of the pollen off the air and everything else. I have my resident tenants and “regulars” birds well taken care and they pose daily for me to shoot my camera, that’s our deal!

I guess you didn’t know that!

How can I say no to such good looking bunch? All appear to be well fed and healthy, I’m spending more $ for variety of seed so everyone gets their favorite seeds. Why not?

Northern Cardinal (M)

Northern Cardinal (F)

Northern Mockingbird

Carolina Chickadee

Red-winged Blackbird (M)

Brown-headed Cowbird (M)

Red-winged Blackbird (F) Top
Brown-headed Cowbird (F) Bottom

Click on images to see enlargement versions

Natural Cycle

avian101 — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:46:41 +0000

The cycle of life continues unstoppable! Nature’s mechanism works full time to fulfill unprinted laws embedded in our genes for all living creatures in our world. We do it, birds do it, insects do it, plants do it. We all seek the continuation of our existense. That’s the way is has been for many milenia. Why I’m explaining this? Because I have been touched again by a new couple of Northern Cardinals that were acting very romantically and I couldn’t just pass it up. I had to tell you about them, not only that, I bring you some photos to illustrate my story.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MY NEXT POST WIL BE ON MONDAY APRIL 9TH

They look at each other with love and affection!

Is this a kiss? Or He is feeding her from his beak? Ohhhhh!

YeeeHaaaa! He's happily in love! Love!, Love!

Eastern Bluebird

avian101 — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:30:44 +0000

It’s official, the bird house’s been taken by a couple of Eastern Bluebirds.

She spend most of her time in the house and the male flies out but doesn’t stick around for very long. I was lucky to take a few shots. I think they feel intimidated by other birds that have nests in the area. E. Bluebirds like to raid other bird’s nests and steel eat their eggs.

I never interfere with the natural rules so it is what it is!

This is Mrs. Eastern Bluebird on top of her house

This is Mr. Eastern Bluebird standing on my deck

IMPORTANT NEWS: FOR ALL OUR FRIENDS THAT HAVE FEEDERS FOR THE BIRDS, READ THE ARTICLE ON THE FOLLOWING LINK:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/grrlscientist/2012/mar/21/2

American Crow

avian101 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:38 +0000

American Crows are large birds, noisy, cantankerous and strong. Most people have seen them one way or another whether picking roadkills from the roads or seeing the big black bird on top of a tall tree making such a ruckus! They may not be so popular birds with the public but they are beneficial to cleaning the environment.

Northern Mockingbird

avian101 — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:04:23 +0000

It’s time to have a few words about the “guardians” of my backyard. The reason why I call them guardians is simply because the do guard the safety of most birds in my backyard.

Brave N. Mockingbird dive- attacking an American Crow that invaded his territory.

By position themselves at key points where they have good sight of the area, they sound the alarm if any outsider poses any danger on the bird community. There are times when it’s not enough just sounding and alarm, they also proceed to confront the intruder, (see photo) The Northern Mockingbirds are ok in my book, true heroes, I tip my hat to them.

Red-winged Blackbird

avian101 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:18:18 +0000

The Red-winged Blackbird is medium size bird with black shiny feathers covering its body and has a bar of yellow color on the wings combined with crescents of bright red feathers on part shoulder and part underwing.
They are moderately aggressive and gobble seeds with frenzy and desperation, which is typical to blackbirds.
It’s funny that all I’ve seen is only male Red-winged Blackbirds. Are they short of gals?

Click on photos for more detailed enlargement

Cooper's Hawk

avian101 — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:09:29 +0000

I’m so glad that different species of birds are showing up in my backyard. The one I photographed yesterday was a bonus because I was done for the day with my camera equipment such as my tripod, lenses, camera etc. I put everything away. When of a sudden this Cooper’s Hawk I see it standing on my deck railing it was definitely a surprise. Grabbed my camera, changed lenses, made adjustments and started shooting. I shot a whole series of pictures. Until it flew to several locations and the disappeared from my sight. This morning I went down there to the creek and found a bunch of feathers, seems like the victim was a Mourning Dove.

Cooper's Hawk

European Starling

avian101 — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:02:39 +0000

My backyard was visited by some European Starlings and at least 2 of them might build a nest nearby. I saw on of them picking dry leaves.

These birds are experts insects and bugs hunters. Their sense of hearing must be extremely acute because they walk fast and then poke their pointy bills deep in the ground and grab a worm, spider, grasshopper, grub, larvae etc. I have my doubts that the see the the prey being the grass thick and of course the fact that the bugs a hiding in the ground because there’s danger nearby. I get the impression that they never fail, every time they poke the ground they come out with a different bug.

Click on photos for more detailed enlargements

This E. Starling is carrying leaves

A Good Day for House Hunting

avian101 — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:24:58 +0000

Just as I promised I was patient and got a few shots of a female Eastern Bluebird on top of the birdhouse. She was kind of testing and checking every detail. I didn’t see the male anywhere.

Female Eastern Bluebird looking around new house

I was a nice day for birds, of course you’ll see the photos soon, but I kept other for future posts.

I hope that you are enjoying the display of my work.

Please remember clicking on the images to see more detailed enlargements

Brown Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

Song Sparrow

FOOD FIGHT!!