Mourning Doves in the Morning

Caught this pair foraging along the ground this morning before a rainstorm.

A house finch enjoys a morning snack.

While this cardinal picks up the dropped seeds.

Semi-Spring

Its nearly 70 degrees today and feels like Spring.  Four bluebirds were hopping around on the fence yesterday.  Two males were harassing each other, one male was too dignified for such behavior, as was the female.  This was the dignified pair (male on the left, female on the right).

I like the expression on this guy's face (and what a beautiful blue coloring!).

This is the female checking me out.  Notice that her coloring is much lighter than the males, almost gray.

Another male:

I also caught my first photograph of a cardinal in our yard.  I rarely see cardinals here, but there was a pair flying around this week.

Starling and Robin Invasion

I've been hibernating this winter, and the only birds I've seen on a regular basis are the Carolina Chickadee and Marvin the Mockingbird.

Yesterday, we had our seventh snowfall in Middle Tennessee for the winter, which is quite unusual.  Another unusual sigiht...hundreds of starlings that arrived with the snow!

A few landed on our fence and the rooftop next door.

Joining the starlings were some of the fattest robins I've ever seen!

And, of course, Marvin.

Blue is Back

The bluebird is back, and again, brought along the house finches, and a junco too!

Blues and Friends

Its a Halloween treat for me!  Three beautiful bluebirds welcomed me home from work...

And they brought friends!  Well, not really friends...one of the bluebirds wasn't a big fan of this bird and chased it away.  I believe this might be a Carolina Wren, but I'm not sure. There were two of them, but I couldn't get a clear shot because they flitted so quickly around the backyard and spent a lot of time hidden in the grass.  (Please forgive the poor picture quality in these.  I was excited and struggling with the afternoon sun!)

I believe this is a house finch...

But, the bluebirds are still my favorite!

Junco on the Fence

This morning was met with a surprise flurry of bird activity.  A flock of finches, including a bright red house finch, swooped into the yard, sat on the seed feeder and a nearby tree.  For a moment, my empty feeder syndrome from the hummingbirds was lifted.  By the time I grabbed my camera, however, the high-strung finches had flown away.  A Junco, which had been part of the flock, flew to the fence, and I was able to get a few shots. 

We typically don't see Juncos until the weather cools.  Because temperatures are still reaching the low 80's during the day, I'm surprised to see this Junco so early.

Empty Feeder Syndrome

My last hummingbird for the season left on October 4, 2010.  I've been suffering from empty feeder syndrome since.  Every time I pass our back door, I quickly scan the backyard in hopes of seeing another one.

Yesterday as I scanned, I didn't see a hummingbird, but one of our resident bluebirds (Constance) sitting on the fence!  We rarely see our bluebirds after nesting season, so this was a nice surprise.  The male (Bubba) then swooped in and perched on the bluebird house and had a look inside.  I've heard of bluebirds wintering in nest boxes, but our pair never has.  I would love to experience these beautiful birds during winter!

This morning, Bubba was on the fence again, but quickly flew away.  He was replaced with our resident harassing Mockingbird (Marvin).  If the bluebirds were considering wintering in our backyard, then I'm afraid Marvin might have discouraged them.