Wednesday Wings: Belly Birding

A few weeks ago, one of my tweeps (Twitter people) posted an absolutely superb photo of a snowy egret in Florida. When I commented on the size of the bird, he told me he got that shot while laying on his stomach on the beach. With the return of my spring …

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Wednesday Wings: Tree Tops

At the back of our yard, we have a cluster of four fully mature white spruce trees – my own little boreal forest. These trees are about 50 feet high, and not surprisingly, a favorite perch of many birds. I know I’ve got a ruby-crowned kinglet in the back yard …

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A Furry Bird Walk

A friend of mine recently decided she wanted to take up bird watching a little more actively. She can identify the common species, but wants to know what is visiting her yard and campsight. Naturally, I’ve jumped all over this. Spring migration is well underway, and more returning species are …

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Wednesday Wings: The Pecking Order

There is a clear order of preference at my bird feeder. These pictures were taken in a two hour period during the storm on Saturday, in this order. Squirrels get first pick, followed by the black-billed magpie, blue jay, mourning doves, red-shafted flicker, house finches, red-breasted nuthatch and a busy …

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Wednesday Wings: Waxwing Invasion

Whooee, do we have Bohemian waxwings! Our mountain ash and all the trees for three yards around are full of them every day. They like to perch at the top of the poplar trees in the morning sun. Eat the snow on the neighbors roof… And they do love the …

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Wednesday Wings: Busy Bitty Boreal

These little chickadees are one of the few birds living completely in the boreal forest. Having grown up in the forests northern Alberta, each time I see one of these wonderful little boreal chickadees it’s like a visit from a family member. I heard the sicka-see-see call long before I …

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