Christmas Birds

Except for showing my Cardinals in yesterday's post, I haven't done a bird post in a long time. AND---I enjoy having LOTS of birds at my feeders all year round. I sit on my throne (sofa) --and watch the little birds going back and forth most every single day. They are such a joy to watch. Some of our birds have disappeared (Bluejays, most of the Bluebirds, Brown Thrashers, Robins, Hummingbirds) ---but will be back in spring. I have seen a few Bluebirds --but not often.

The birds we have at the feeders regularly now are: Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Mourning Doves, LOTS of Goldfinches, Some House Finches, and our woodpeckers (Red-bellied and Downy mostly).. There are Northern Flickers and Pileated Woodpeckers around --but they don't come to the feeders.

Yesterday, while watching my football team LOSE (sigh!) and while cutting out the latest coupons and making my grocery list for the week, I decided to see if I could take some pictures to share with you.

WELL----as you can tell from seeing the following pictures, none of them are very good. It was a cloudy day and the snow that is still on our deck caused a glare---plus the fact that I didn't realize that our lit Christmas tree was causing reflections (as you will be able to see) on the feeders and on the birds. I almost threw away all of the pictures --but then decided I'd show them and call them my Christmas Birds!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy some of my little angels. This female Cardinal in the picture above was busy stuffing her mouth!! Notice the reflections from our Christmas tree lights?????? Ha -Ha... Sorry I didn't get a picture of the males since they are so pretty this time of year with their red colors. I missed catching them at the feeders and I also missed catching the Red-bellied and the Downys. Oh Well--hope you enjoy the ones I managed to get.




A little Goldfinch sitting on the line ---waiting his turn at one of the feeders





We have lots and lots of Goldfinches this year---but so far, no Pine Siskins... (You may remember from last year that we had hundreds of Pine Siskins!!! I hope they go elsewhere this year! My 20-30 Goldfinches keep the feeders busy enough!)





I love this sweet picture of a male Goldfinch... He has lost his beautiful yellow summer color--and it's hard now to tell the difference between the males and females.





We also have some House Finches at our feeders. There aren't as many as there are Goldfinches but I love that red color on the males.




I added a string of lights to this male House Finch. Isn't he pretty????? He's definitely a Christmas bird!!!!! ha ha





Now---the string of lights is a necklace around his neck... Doesn't he look like it's Christmas????





The little Tufted Titmouse on the left wonders why he didn't get a string of lights around his neck. Doesn't he look sad???? AND--the House Finch is trying to EAT the lights to keep Mr. Tufted from having them!!!! ha ha






The Christmas House Finch on the left was enjoying wearing his lights as a hat ---and the House Finch on the right was looking UP searching for his own lights....

WELL---that's about all that I have to share today... Again, I apologize for the bad quality. Hopefully I can get some better pictures soon. In the meantime, let me say again--for the millionth time---how much I LOVE my BIRDS. They bring so much joy ---and right now, they ARE definitely my "Christmas Birds"...

Have a great Monday!!!
Hugs,

P.S. Thanks for all of your thoughts on my mystery critter prints I found on our deck after the snow. You ALL gave me some great answers but I have to say that my favorite answer came from Blog Friend SANDRA. Sandra said that Rudolph paid us a visit. I'm sure he was checking out the house---making sure he would have a place to land the sleigh on Christmas Eve. Thanks Sandra... That was a great answer!!

Our First Snow 12/5/09

Well by now, most of you know that this ole' southern girl LOVES snow... SO--yesterday morning, I was happy to wake up and see some here in Fairfield Glade. We only had an inch or two --but it was pretty (prettier than most any snow we had last year AT ALL).. SO---I am a 'happy camper'... And--the snow didn't melt quickly (like it usually does) since our temps are quite low today. SO--I enjoyed it most of the day.

I know that you northerners --who get lots of snow--are probably laughing at us southerners making such a 'big deal' about a tiny bit of snow, but this is special for us!!!!! ha ha.... Here are some pictures --so I hope you enjoy them!!!! Above is a picture looking from the inside of our home --onto the deck. Below are more, and I do have a question at the end.





From inside, looking out onto the deck; You can see our Christmas garland and bows.. I love seeing snow while the decorations are up.





Here's the other side of the deck, looking towards the back yard and golf course fairway.





I was standing on the front porch looking out toward the road. You can see some of the left-over rose bush stems. We haven't had a freeze before now--so George hasn't cut them back and put them to bed for the winter yet. Bet he'll be doing that very soon now!!!!





I like this 'Christmasy' picture--showing snow on the holy bushes and the wreaths hanging out front.





Also--looking out across the front yard to the road; Bet the pansies in that round bed are cold!!!!




Since I love seeing snow on evergreen, George took a couple of pictures for me. Pretty, huh?





Here's one more gorgeous picture George took of the snow on our pine tree.





I couldn't resist taking this picture of a male Cardinal on the front feeder outside of the computer room window. The birds always come to the feeders constantly in either rainy or snowy weather.





Wow----count the Cardinals!!!! Can you see all three of them???? One is on the plant hanger, one on a branch, and the other is at the feeder... I was lucky to get his shot of all three of them.





Here's one more picture of the male having breakfast!! Sorry these pictures are faded looking. I was shooting through a dirty window (oops) and a screen... Oh Well!!!






OKAY---here's my question.... See these prints? They are on the deck leading from the steps to one of our sliding doors. There are only about 4-5 of them--but they are from 18-24 inches apart..... Totally weird!!!! What could it be??? A big Rabbit??? It had to have been something fairly heavy because of the indention in the snow. We do have rabbits up here but I have NEVER seen one anywhere near our deck. We have squirrels and chipmunks on the deck and sometimes a raccoon or skunk.... Any idea what visitor came to see us?????? (By the way, the small prints in the upper right corner are squirrel prints for sure.)





Here's one more picture. It's a puzzlement---but maybe someone knows!!!!! Thanks!!!!

Hope you had a great Saturday... I certainly did!!!! Now--have a wonderful Sunday also!

Hugs,

P.S. George won a gorgeous BIRD calendar Giveaway from Kentucky Blog Friend JEN. Check out George's blog HERE to see what a fabulous gift he won. Don't forget to check out Jen's great blog site also. Thanks Jen!!!!