2:55 AM – We spotted a Robin at the birdbath (along with an ever-present Cardinal). We don’t see too many Robin, for most of the year. They should be passing through pretty soon I think. It was such a brief clip, I added a ‘freeze’ to get a better look at the bird.
Here are a Cardinal and Purple Finch sharing the feeder. The finch starts moving around, and the Cardinal pops around the corner like a crank neighbor, telling those kids to get off his lawn. Cardinals are notoriously irritable.
3:02 AM – The White Breasted Nuthatch darts in and out quickly – the second and third clips are a 50% speed. I notice he (or she) likes to get a seed then deliberately drop it on the ground. Maybe he’s got a partner down there collecting them.
We put some peanuts out, hoping to attract the Blue Jays, but they were a no-show. We did get this female Cardinal. In the bird world, you take what you can get.
1:33 AM – This scruffy looking Cardinal is parked in one of our outlier feeders, way across the yard by the back fence. The video was taken with a ‘regular’ Nikon camera, instead of captured by a Netgear security camera as is usual. We’re trying different ways to improve the quality of the video clips. The problem with this way – we have to stalk the birds for a long time to get an image. With the security cams, we just check the footage at the end of the day.
Cardinal quivering on the Squirrel Buster feeder while snacking. The quality of this video is actually not bad. I like the color better, though it’s not necessarily accurate. Lighting has a lot to do with this (how bright etc), plus season (are birds molting or getting ready to attract a mate).
4:37 AM – Mrs. Cardinal bathing.
Here’s a wary squirrel getting a drink. So far, he has both ears, unlike our favorite One Ear Squirrel. It pays to be cautious.
2:00 AM – Lots of Bluebirds in the yard these days – well, by lots I mean we see four or five at a time. Last winter they were a rare sight, but we courted them with mealworms, and it worked.
We put some peanuts out, hoping to attract the Blue Jays. Every now and then I see them high up in the trees, but they don’t attend the feeders anymore. Instead we got a Cardinal. That’s alright, but it would be nice to have the Jays back.
2:20 AM – Yesterday it was birds on the suet feeder, one after another. Today, a shorter version of birds drinking. We have the Bluebirds, Pine Warbler, Purple Finch and Brown Thrasher, a colorful lot. The quality of the video is really not acceptable, but until we can find a suitable (and better) replacement camera, it will have to do.
High speed Downy Woodpecker. Just some fun with video.
3:40 AM – We get more suet feeder traffic in cold weather – it’s in the 50’s, a little chilly for Alabama in October. In order of appearance: Pine Warbler, Purple Finch, Bluebird, White Breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and Red-bellied Woodpecker. I’m surprised we didn’t see a Cardinal and Chickadee in the lineup.
The other morning, around 4:30 AM, we had a raccoon visit. We were sitting right inside, but didn’t hear anything. If we have to have varmints, I’d rather have the coon than the possum. I prefer the bushy ringed tail to the possum’s naked rat tail.
2:16 AM – Carolina Wren on the suet feeder. This is another year-round resident. They frequently nest in brush pile or thickets – like the one we have in the lower corner of our yard.
More adventures of Bruno, the neighbor dog that likes to jump the fence and visit. He’s a big happy dog that likes to get around.
2:53 AM – These Purple Finches, and the Cardinal, try to claim their spot at the feeder. Actually, not the Cardinal, who doesn’t pay much attention to the smaller birds.
Red-bellied Woodpecker snacking on suet. At the end of the clip the back door opens and he takes off, with a piece of suet in his beak. That part is in slow-motion with a freeze frame.
3:49 AM – New visitor to the Backyard Foodcourt: a possum. I’ve been waiting for one to turn up. This one makes a tour of the feeders and birdbaths, tasting the suet. But it’s pepper suet, so he moves right along. I’m glad he visited, but I hope he doesn’t come back (like that will happen).
Bluebirds at the water trough. Looks like the gang decided to go out for a drink after work, or something.
Downy Woodpecker making his mark on the suet cake, their preferred backyard feeder food. The Downy’s are small birds, not much bigger than the Nuthatches and Chickadees. They’re permanent residents (non-migratory), and can be found over most of the United States and parts of Canada.