1:00 AM – We’ll start with this Mockingbird scattering the Bluebirds on the mealworm feeder. The Mockingbird is a regular visitor to the worm feeder. We see many different kind of birds eating mealworms, some more often than others.
Cardinal and Bluebird eyeing each other on the mealworm feeder. I like the way the Cardinal peaks around the feeder.
Finally, this Bluebird is included because he’s so intensely blue.
4:30 AM – We now have four cameras back in action. This video is from the ‘Cylinder Cam’. A male Downy Woodpecker is pecking his way into the compressed seeds. The original video was almost four minutes long, and showed him slowly working his way around the feeder.
Meanwhile, on the mealworm feeder, it’s reassuring to see we still have plenty of Bluebirds around.
1:00 AM – We’ve got two more cameras working, so we’re able to capture video of the mealworm feeder again. Here’s a random selection of mealworm fans – in order of appearance: Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren and Yellow-rumped Warbler.
Normal traffic on the platform feeder. We’ve got a Red-bellied Woodpecker getting some peanuts, some Purple Finches, male and female, and a Dove.
2:48 AM – Bluebird looks on as the Finches fight around the thistle sock. He wisely decides to feed somewhere else.
Late revision to this post – I found a video of closeups of Mourning Doves. This close they look like aliens. Sort of.
1:00 AM – Looks like the Finches have gone off somewhere else, maybe back up north, maybe just over to Hoover. One way or another it’s a lot quieter around here. But not near as exciting. We’ll continue with non-Finch videos until, possibly, the Brown Headed Cowbirds come through.
Another Bluebird, this one with a single Finch. The Finch restrains himself from attacking until the Bluebird leaves, then goes for any other Finch that lands. That’s just how it is.
1:00 AM – Red-bellied Woodpecker seems to have trouble making up his mind where to stab his beak next. Finally, he decides to go low.
Bluebird and Mockingbird drinking. Unfortunately, no drama today, but here they are anyway,
3:51 AM – A flock of Sparrows have been around for a few days. Here’s a video of them sharing the platform feeder with a Cardinal and Dove. They aren’t spooked by the bigger birds, and keep right on eating.
Another birdbath video, this one with a Robin, Purple Finch and Bluebird. They’re probably very happy the ice is gone. For now, anyway.
4:02 AM – The Thicket Cam is a camera we installed at the lower part of our yard, in a stand of small trees and brush. We hope to capture video of critter that won’t/don’t come up on the deck. We don’t have the camera situated exactly right yet, but we did get this clip of a raccoon checking out the setup. More and better video to come.
Another unexpected Retro Video, but a good one. From July 9, 2017:
3:37 AM – An unscheduled Retro Monday.
Here’s a gang of Blue Jays from 9.7.2017:
Sometimes Blue Jays squabble, and sometimes they seem to get along alright. Watch this small gang of Jays go for a pile of fresh seed. Then watch them get dispersed by one Mourning Dove. The Jays keep coming back – but the camera battery ran out of juice before the matter was settled. I suspect it never gets settled, this kind of thing just goes on all day. Notice that there’s still a little Summer Molting going on.
From 8.11.2017, a couple of juvenile Bluebirds, with patchy, striped markings.
3:53 AM – Variety of birds on the cylinder feeder, including Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Mockingbird, Bluebird and Squirrel. Notice the squirrel giving up after a few bites. Pepper seed works, usually.
Plus one more cylinder bird, this one a Pine Warbler. He’s about the same color as some whole hard-boiled egg yolks I’ve seen.