Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, April 11, 2011

Mt. Nebo BIRDS

As I mentioned in this post (click HERE),   I took my birdseed with me to Arkansas (like any good birder would do, don't you think???? ha)...  Anyhow,  since we were at the cabin so much that week (due to the weather),  I had so much fun watching the birds.    I sprinkled the Black Sunflower Seed all along the rock wall on the back patio,  and even put some up on the porch for a closer view.  I had to sit inside behind a semi-clean window and a screen---so the pictures aren't the best.  BUT ---I hope you enjoy seeing some of them today.

Most of the birds were the same ones we have at home with one exception.  The bird above is a 'lifer' for me,  a WHITE -THROATED SPARROW.. Below are more!!!!



The NORTHERN FLICKERS were in the grass --and since I didn't take any suet,  they didn't come very near to the patio... This picture shows one of the FIVE which were out there.




RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS will eat sunflower seed.  SO this gal did come down to the rock wall for a bite!!!! (NOTE that she is a female since her red head doesn't go all of the way to her face.)




This is a cute picture of one of my favorite little active birds,  the TUFTED TITMOUSE.  There were lots and lots of them in Arkansas.  He was one of the little birds that came closer ---on the porch itself.




There were an abundance of CROWS on the mountain in Arkansas.  We have many of them here also--but they do not come anywhere near our feeders... BUT--in Arkansas,  they would have gobbled all of the seed if I would have let them.. I kept having to knock on the window to get them to LEAVE, so that the little birds had some food!!!!

You get a pretty good view in this picture of the valley below...





There were some gorgeous AMERICAN CARDINALS around that week also.  Here is a picture of one of the beautiful males.





Finally,  these birds are HUGE ---and there are LOTS of them around the edge of the mountain top...  One can see them flying in their circles out over the valley.  They will land on the rocks on the side of the mountain...  Luckily,  I got the above picture of these TURKEY VULTURES  (I call them buzzards) resting on the rocks near the edge,  not too far from the cabin. I don't quite see the beauty in these birds!!!!! ha (Sorry about that!)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the birds we saw while in Arkansas.  I have one more post which I will do sometime in the future...

Have a blessed day --and remember to FEED the birds!!!!
Hugs,

48 comments:

Beth said...

I hope to remember to do that if we head out on a similar jaunt (like to Hocking Hills).
I enjoy all the bird pictures and stories.
I had trouble with crows in Cinci, but I've never had a turkey vulture come close to me. Interesting. They have a nasty job so mabe that rubs off on their looks! Ha! But just think if they didn't do their job!

Valerie said...

SO good to be able to visit again! I know exactly what you mean about the turkey vultures. We have them around here - and I have gotten some up close shots - someone told me their head is bald (ugly) like that cause it is easier to stick the head in a carcass like that - Ewww! But God created them with a purpose (like squirrels!) HOpe it is a good week for you!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I bet the birds enjoyed your vivid there as much as you did.You spoiled them. :)Those Turkey Vultures don't have much going for them on the ground,but I love the distinct wing patterns in flight.I also like how they teeter back and forth while flying.

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

I always enjoy your blog postings...Betsy...You are ONE OF A KIND!! Love you much.

Harriet said...

Love your pink dogwood picture! As always looks like you had a wonderful trip and great pictures.

amelia said...

We have flickers here and while they go to our field bed which is close to our house, they will not ever come to the feeders.
I love the crows, such a beautiful bird and also the vultures. All are here to do their job.

Catherine said...

The little Titmouse is adorable! I love that photo. Our birds are slowing starting to return. They will always have lots of food at my house! :)

xo Catherine

Out on the prairie said...

Very nice shots. The park is a real gem, I will have to get down there this year.

MadSnapper said...

i call them buzzards also and that is my favorite photo today. they actually look good in this photo and they are NOT pretty birds for sure. they do have beautiful markings underneath but it can only be seen when they fly overhead. they are ugly and awkward on the ground, but beautiful when soaring in circles. God's garbage birds and they do a great job. love the little birds and that gorgeous cardinal.

Arkansas Patti said...

I would never have thought to take bird seed on a vacation. Great way to get to see the local population up close.
Great shots.
Since the weather is nice,I have cut off the dole and the birds are now earning a living,hopefully eating weed seeds and insects.

From the Kitchen said...

Our birds are finally arriving back. I believe the photo of the Turkey Vultures is my favorite. Of course, it is hard to find any beauty in them!!

Best,
Bonnie

diane b said...

That's a good hobby for when the weather is bad and you have to stay inside. I love the first one with his cycle helmet on.

Lady Di Tn said...

I think it is wonderful that you took seed with you. What a wonderful assortment of birds. Glad you did not get to close to the buzzards as they will throw up on you to make you keep your distance. We had our first hummer on Saturday. Another bird to enjoy. Peace

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Good morning, Betsy. As a bird-lover myself, I always enjoy your bird photos. I always keep the finch feeder filled but will cut back on the other feed. The blasted Grackles come in and gobble up the other food as fast as they can and I refuse to feed them. Have a good Monday!

mamahasspoken said...

I bought a bird feeder this week-end and already it is driving my dogs crazy! It is a beautiful ornate copper one and I hung it in the back yard so that I can watch the birds eat. Dogs like to bark at the birds eathing from the feeder. Guess I'll have to move it but then I won't get such a good view of the birds...

Anonymous said...

I never thought of taking birdseed with me on trips. I'll have to remember to do that, when we stay in out of way places.

Tabor said...

Be careful in feeding the wildlife...in some areas it is illegal...just saying. Lovely bird shots.

Shug said...

Good Monday Morning Betsy..
Some really good pictures there. I call the Buzzards as well....These things scare me. If there is roadkill in the middle of the road, the buzzards will not move until you get right upon them...always afraid that they are going to hit my windshield. Have you ever seen one pecking at what ever is lying there dead...They do so with force!

Have a good one sweetie..
Shug

Jen said...

You sure lured in some beauties! I think it is so funny how they find it so quickly.

Darla said...

Very pretty birds....except the buzzards..I agree with you about them....

Unknown said...

Mom and Dad have the tufted titmouse visiting them. So glad you made many new friends on your trip!

Small City Scenes said...

Oh Betsy, you took some great pics of the many birds. You are a good girl to have seeds along with you.
I am with you as I don't see much beauty in the buzzards either.
But as they say--God's creatures.......................
MB

Diane said...

As long as you have birdseed you will always be entertained. I like the bird pictures, especially the Tufted Titmouse - what a little cutie!! We have Turkey Vultures around here flying in lazy circles (reminds me of the old western movies!) but I don't know where they stay otherwise. So I haven't seen those "beautiful"faces before. Nice post Betsy. Diane

Rose said...

Next year you will have to take the windex and paper towels...LOL Seriously, that would have been a good way to relax to just sit and watch the birds...

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! And you knew I would!!! We have actually seen the white throats before, there are quite a few around. Aren't they adorable? Sometimes you can get them mixed up with the song sparrows. We used to have flickers in our driveway, but haven't seen any in over five years now!! We have a pair of titmice coming to the new feeder, they are there constantly, so I have gotten lots of pictures of them!! The buzzards are just kind of creepy to me, but they play an important role. They circle around here all the time. I always thought they only circled if there was something dead below, but Phil now informs me that is not true. Circling is the way they fly, they are catching the thermals.

~mel said...

Well weren't you just the little smarty pants to remember the bird seed! LOVE IT!! and I'm sure the birds did too. Thanks for sharing!

NCmountainwoman said...

What a great way to spend a foggy day. You were so fortunate to see so many lovely birds.

Elettra said...

Hello Betsy, you've captured some really beautiful pictures

Loren said...

Great pics Betsy!! Those birds are just precious well with the exception of the vultures! EEK!! they are scary!! Oh ya, and the crows....We have them here at home and they are so frustrating! Always swooping down to our feeder and not letting the birds have their seed. When we moved here we lost our yorkie during the first week. My husband said it was most likely the crows or the owls that got him.... sniff sniff.

Great shots tho! Thank you for sharing them! Happy Monday

Betty Manousos said...

Oh Betsy, those are really beautiful bird shots!
They are so cute, and just put me in the best moods!

Happy Monday!

Betty x

Tracy said...

Well Heaven's to Betsy, never even thought of taking bird seed on a vacation to lure the birds. I guess that's why you are a 'professional' bird watcher and I'm just an anateur :)
They are all so cute! I hope you had a great weekend...

Pat Tillett said...

Great photos Betsy! You've probably forgotten more about birds than I'll ever know.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, It looks like Mt. Nebo is a birder's paradise. Glad you had a great trip and saw a lot of birds. Excellent pictures. Have a super nice day. I am hopeful we won't get severe weather but that is a slight chance here today.

happyone said...

Its great that you got to see so many different kinds of birds. Thanks for sharing all those photos.

Anonymous said...

Love the birds...some I'd never seen before! Vultures certainly aren't pretty, they have a job to do and they do it well, so I give them points for that *smile* Beautiful (never seen before) White-Throated Sparrow, Northern Flicker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker! And the view of the valley and mountains beyond is spectacular!

SquirrelQueen said...

Somehow we should have known Betsy would take along birdseed on a vacation, I love it. You got some great shots, I love the little Tufted Titmouse since we don't have them here.

The Turkey Buzzards are fascinating even though they have a face only a mother could love.

Glenda said...

I'm so glad God sprinkles birds throughout His beautiful creation!!

Sally Wessely said...

I've never seen cardinals in the wild before; in fact, I'm not sure I've ever seen them. Your photo of the cardinal was absolutely beautiful. What blessing it must be to see this beautiful creature live.

Ann said...

wonderful shots of the birds. My favorite is the tufted titmouse. That is a great picture. I have to agree about the turkey vultures...lol

Sebab said...

Wow beautiful pictures!

I Am Woody said...

Great shot of the tufted titmouse!!

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful photos, Betsy. The birds give us such joy, don't they. Keeping you and George in my prayers dear friend.

carolina nana said...

I have all those birds in my area including those really ugly vultures,yeah they are really ugly and eating road kill doesn't make them any prettier !!!!

Have a blessed tomorrow
Marilyn

KathyA said...

No, Nature's vacuum cleaners are not exactly pretty, are they?

I've never seen the white throated sparrow.

Just love flickers and the red-bellied wp. Why are they called red-bellied when it's their head that's red??

Lynda said...

What a great idea to put out birdseed on vacation so you could take pictures for us.
So - - I have heard the expression of people calling other people, "you old buzzard." What do you think they mean - - that the "buzzard" is ugly or it stinks - - - or it eats garbage? They do have some great qualities - - - like excellent eyesight & graceful in flight. Guess you can tell it's late cuz I'm rambling!

Karin said...

Betsy, if it were not for your sweet blog, I'd never get to see any of these birds! I love, LOVE, LOVE all these shots! We do have the crows around here and they are truly a nuisance at times. When I think of the turkey vultures or buzzards, I think of the fact that God has made each one of us, some for noble and some for ignoble purposes! Sure want to be used for noble purposes and not eating garbage, lol!

Hugs, Karin

LifeRamblings said...

lovely captures of the birds especially the TUFTED TITMOUSE. how did you get him to pose so nicely for you?

Janie said...

You're a truly devoted birder when you bring seed for your feathered friends on your vacation!
Lovely photos. You always manage to see a lot of species.