Monday, February 21, 2011

Birds and More Birds

My backyard birds have been busy during the end of January and through February... Our worst weather this winter was in late December and early January. Since then we haven't had too much bad weather --and truly,  this has been one of the mildest February's I can remember.  However,  the milder weather hasn't kept the birds away..   They must think it's almost Spring!!!

Here are some recent pictures of my precious backyard birds.  When I was with my friend Judy last week in North Carolina.  she said she was anxious to get home to see her grandchildren.  I, on the other hand,  said that I was anxious to get home to see my BIRDS... ha ha...   Above is a beautiful female EASTERN BLUEBIRD.. Below are more.





GOLDFINCH





RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER





NORTHERN FLICKER WOODPECKER





PINE SISKIN (Finch family)





A Pine Siskin and a Goldfinch talking to one another at the birdbath--on a COLD day!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of my MANY backyard birds today...  

Hugs,
at

50 comments:

  1. BethFebruary 21, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    It does look like those last two are talking to each other--Just another day at the Betsy Spa!
    Loved these. Thanks for your comments and your promise to pray.

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  2. pamFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    It was just beautiful this past weekend, all the birdies were out!

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  3. A Brit in TennesseeFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    I was thinking the same thing...I bet Betsy misses her birds, and vice versa :)
    Those close-up shots are just spectacular, I confess to the Bluebird being my favorite sweet little bird.
    What colors !
    Glad you are back,
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  4. eileeninmdFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Betsy, you have some beautiful backyard birds. Wonderful photos.

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  5. BethFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Gorgeous shots of your beloved birds, Betsy! I can't decide which one I liked best. I do think the flicker is just the most beautiful bird---I love how you can see the yellow tail-feathers in your shot.

    By the way, I just went back and read your Friday post. I really love your idea of letting the commenters tell their stories---I may have to steal it! :-) What interesting stories they told---I enjoyed reading them so much. Also, I wanted to mention how much I enjoyed your comment on my latest post---I liked your different perspective.

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  6. JuneFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    Gorgeous birds, great pictures!
    All I ever get to see of flickers is their rumps as they fly away. What a treat to see how beautiful they are on their other parts!

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  7. Ruth HiebertFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    I always enjoy checking out your birds,since you have some which I only see occasionally.The Bluebird is one like that and they are such gorgeous birds.Have a wonderful,bird filled day.

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  8. Bill S.February 21, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Great pictures. Looks like you are having a lot of visitors.

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  9. SunnyFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    Spectacualar pictures! The little Bluebird is priceless :)
    Hope you have a great week.
    ☼ Sunny

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  10. RitaFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Betsy,
    You encourage me each day to get out there and put seed in the feeders. I love watching my birds. I have two old cats and a dog. Love them all very much but as they pass I will feed my birds and be content.

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    The birds are just beautiful, Betsy. God certainly blessed us with so many colorful and varied birds to enjoy. Hope you have a nice week.

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  12. GlendaFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Great close-ups of some beautiful little creatures! I always miss my birds when we're away, too!

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  13. Pat - ArkansasFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Just wonderful! Love, love, love that Bluebird! Gardening Daughter is taking part in the Great Backyard Birdcount and saw several bluebirds in the area around our church, so I know they are here. Maybe if I put up a bluebird house?

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  14. From the KitchenFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Beautiful--especially the Northern Flikr Woodpecker. Could you please send some of them "home" to us? We miss them!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Hi Betsy, Outstanding bird photographs! I am glad you showed both the Goldfinch and the Pine Siskin. They do look quite similar. I also see that you have a wooden stick for a perch on the suet feeder. I think that is a great thing. Enjoy the warmish weather while it lasts. Maybe we'll get a few raindrops today.
    Have a wonderful day!

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  16. ShugFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    WOW Betsy....
    Beautiful Pictures today and Beautiful birds! You did a great job. What I have in my backyard right now is Black Birds, but I guess they are beautiful too!

    Have a Super Blessed day...
    Shug

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  17. ratiehFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    i really enjoy it Betsy! i've never seen beautiful birds like that before. =D

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  18. DarlaFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    You must have some of the best bird diners around!!

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    I liked each of your bird pictures. My favorite one is the female bluebird. What a GREAT picture of the bluebird!

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  20. Linda at To Behold The BeautyFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    The color pattern on the northern flicker woodpecker is really amazing, isn't it? Beautiful set of images, Betsy.

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  21. DianeFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Yes I have Betsy. Each one is beautiful and I was enjoying those dots on the Flicker.

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  22. MadSnapperFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    i can't decide which is cuter, the blue bird or the yellow one, they are all so colorful and really cute. i bet they missed you and were as glad for you to get home to them as you were to the back to your bird children

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  23. Hidden Haven HomesteadFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I always love seeing your bird photos. You have such talent when it comes to capturing their poses. Now really think about a photo book! Have a blessed day and enjoy this beautiful sunshine

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  24. mudderbearFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    The birds are beautiful and it seems right that you would want to get home to see them. You are specially blessed to have so many to see all the time. Around here, there is a rather large quail family that I see running around sometimes. But I don't get to see them closeup or even very well. I envy your photography skills at those times. My photos never turn out very good at best, but it's fun to try. Yours are awesome. thanks for sharing

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  25. CatherineFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I can hardly wait to spy a Robin. Then I know spring is near. But from the weather we have been having the last few days, I fear I will not be seeing a Robin anytime soon!


    Thanks for sharing your birds Betsy!
    xo Catherine

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  26. Velvet Over SteelFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    It was beautiful here last week; but today is 'freezing' again. So your beautiful bird pictures always Warm me up!

    I truly believe that the 'cold' makes us appreciate & look forward to Spring even more. :-)

    Hugs,
    Coreen xoxoxo

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  27. Ginny HartzlerFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Of course you know that your bird pictures are my favorites!! I can't wait till more come here this spring to start snapping!! That woodpecker appears to have a red pupil!! My favorite is the goldfinch! They seem so sweet and gentle natured. I see the frost around the bird bath!

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  28. RoseFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Betsy, these are wonderful shots!!!!

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  29. RoseFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    I meant to add, don't you find it is fun to go places, but oh, so good to come back to your own home? Whether it is for the birds, grandchildren, or cats.

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  30. Cheryl @ TFDFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Beautiful birds! Your closeups are wonderful! I looked out the window this morning and to my amazement counted 32 Robins. My first sighting of them this year. Spring is on the way! Have a wonderful day, Cheryl

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  31. Busy Bee SuzFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    The bluebird is adorable....can't you record and translate all the conversations around the bird bath???
    :)

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  32. Cicero SingsFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    All wonderful shots but I like that first one the best.

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  33. KarinFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Spectacular photos of your feathered friends. Some days I would love to be a bird, soar beyond the troubles of the day, and hang out at Betsy's Spa!

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  34. ameliaFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I find it so amazing that the flicker and the pileated woodpecker will come to your feeders. I'm so jealous. Even on the coldest days, and it's really cold sometimes, the pileated woodpeckers go about their business in the forest and I can see them, but they won't come near our house. There's only one pair I've seen but they won't come near and the flickers come back in the spring but the same thing. Won't come near!!

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  35. KayFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    You always get such great close-ups of the little birds.

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  36. Pat TillettFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    Beautiful pics Betsy! The woodpecker is amazing!

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  37. SquirrelQueenFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    The close ups of all your little birds are beautiful Betsy. I know the birds missed you while you were gone. I love them all but the little bluebird won my heart as soon as I opened your blog.

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  38. NealFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    My favorite is the bluebird of course. I've always loved them.

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  39. DarFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Betsy, I can see you are really loving that camera. The bird pics are fantastic. Your goldfinch has so much color already, but the bluebird is still my love.
    BlessYourHearts

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  40. amy @ Life in Pink Hi-TopsFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    I have enjoyed your birdie pictures. Great shots! Those birds pose for you, don't they?!

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  41. carolina nanaFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Love,love that last photo,wonder what they are saying to one another????
    Have a blessed tomorrow .
    Marilyn

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  42. LyndaFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    It amazes me how many different varieties of birds you have in your yard. Thanks for letting them visit us, too!

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  43. CarlettaFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Our temps have warmed up quite a bit this week and the feeders are seeing a lot of activity!
    Love your shots Betsy!
    I'm trying to learn how to get a better image through my glass doors but it isn't easy. You get some great ones. Your secret?

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  44. ConnieFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Wow! Great pictures, Betsy! I love that first one of the bluebird. :)

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  45. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪February 21, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    we are in crisis again. My pastor has relayed around for us to pray for Christchurch.

    This appear to be worst that the Sept quake.

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  46. diane bFebruary 22, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    I love the Northern Flicker Woodpecker with its speckled chest.

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  47. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteFebruary 22, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Lucky! All I see are a few doves. It's too cold still. And I like your header too.

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  48. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiFebruary 22, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    I love the bluebird! Wish I saw them in this area.

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  49. KathyAFebruary 22, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    My favorite is the bludbird and the red bellied -- don't you just wonder what the two birds were talking about?

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  50. LorenFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Oh my...I would want to get back to those precious birdies too! They are just BEAUTIFUL!! Having some of these sweet things in our back yard you do feel like they are your own don't you??!!!

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