Tag: Back Yard

Tonight’s Birds

by Mike

I rushed home after work today to spend more time with my new friends.  It even seemed like the wind has cooled things off just a bit.  Instead of a blast furnace, it is starting to feel more like a roasting oven here in North Texas.

Be that as it may, it seems that the Finches have decided to stick around for a while.  However, I have noticed that they end up throwing more seed on the ground than they are actually eating.  I’ll have to check into that and see if maybe I’ve got the wrong kind of feed for them.  But they seem to enjoy the feeder and seem not to be too bothered by me taking their pictures.  Just wish I could get a little closer.  They are very tiny birds and even with my 400mm lens they still don’t take up much of the frame.  I’m having to crop quite a bit for these little guys.

House Finch

I did get rather close to a Robin today though.  I didn’t have to crop this one very much at all.  He was about half way between me and the feeder so I got a few really clear shots of him.  At one point he hopped over right next to me, but when I went to point the camera, he made a hasty retreat.  Soon he will be coming right up and landing on my lens.  Smile

American Robin

It seems that this one little Finch is really enjoying the feeder more than the others.  He seems to be having fun playing hide and seek with me.  I caught him a couple of times peeking around from the back of the feeder to see if I was still there.

Peek-A-Boo

And I’m guessing these two are sisters or something because they just don’t seem to be getting along.  Calm down girls, there is plenty of food for everyone, I promise!  Or are they fighting over the cute red-head above?

Does Not Play Well With Others

Tomorrow a lady is coming by to consult with me on things I can do to landscape my back yard in order to make it more bird friendly.  I wouldn’t even mind it if a few squirrels stopped by now and then.  I wonder what the neighbors would say about maybe a giraffe or two?  Maybe I better save than for some other time when I’m not living in a HOA controlled neighborhood.  I can’t wait to move out to the country!  Some day…

First Visitors at Café Hampton

by Mike

Today I saw the first visitors at Café Hampton!  I got a bird feeder over the weekend and have been watching it for three days waiting for the day for them to show up.  Of course, I wasn’t holding out much hope considering that it has been over 100 degrees every day lately and the wind has been blowing like it is still March.  But as they say, “If you build it, they will come.”  And come they have.

I only saw three visitors this evening, but it is a start.  And for the first time ever, I have had a Cardinal in my back yard here long enough to actually take a picture of.  Granted, they are not great pictures, but the birds are getting used to me, and I am getting used to them.  As we learn each other I hope the pictures will improve.

So, welcome to my first guests!

Mr. Cardinal.

Northern Cardinal

Mrs. House Finch

Female House Finch

Mr. House Finch

Male House Finch

I have got to get me that bird book and start learning these guys’ names.

More Backyard Practice

by Mike

As I sat in my back yard finishing up Moose Peterson’s book Captured, I decided to start putting into practice some of what I was reading.  I don’t have to travel around the country to take pictures of animals.  I have animals right here in my back yard.  Then I looked around and realized that I live in a large city metroplex and my back yard is not really conducive to wildlife.  That’s when it hit me that I need to change my back yard.  Now, that is a plan still in the making and hopefully a story for another day.

So for now, I’ll make due with what I have and shoot the little birds that do happen through my yard.  Note to self–Someday I need to get me a bird book so I’ll know their names.

This first little fellow landed on the spa of the pool and was kind enough to pose for a portrait.  I thought this one really captured his little attitude with the cocked head and all.  And being the nice little bird that he is, he even paid me for the photo.  While not the payment I would prefer for my photos, at this point I’ll take whatever I can get.  Smile

I Made You a Present!

As I continued reading and watching the birds, I had another little fellow stop by for a rest on my fence.  He didn’t stay too long, but did allow me to train the Canon on him for a few shots.  He seemed a little more melancholy than our last little friend.

Fence Sitter

And then finally, as the sun was getting low in the sky and I began losing my light, a racket occurred over at the side of the yard.  These two guys were fighting over something.  Since it was getting dark, the shutter-speed was in the basement, but the resulting photo was pretty interesting.  I was amazed I got anything at all.

A Disagreement

So, Moose was right.  There are things to photograph right in my own back yard.  I’ll have to do more of this.  Now if only the temperature would drop down.  Maybe I should plant more trees…