For WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thank you Stuart).
The only thing I really missed about our house after we sold it to travel full time was the bird feeders on our deck.
(People were missed, but never -- with this one exception -- things.)
Of course among the many benefits of our decade or so of traveling was the chance to see all kinds of birds we never could have seen in our old backyard, so it was worth giving up the feeders.
But now we aren't on the road quite as much as we used to be.
And so this summer, we retrieved two of our old favorite feeders from our 'storage facility' (at Cyndi and Jeff's barn). Bill hung them right outside our RV's picture window. The first visitors were this pair of grosbeaks:
I was so excited. But then the next visitors were a huge flock of migrating starlings.
Kind of pretty sitting in the greenery, but not so great attacking the feeders. The greedy things pulled the perches out of the holes so that they could get at the sunflower seeds faster. I was so mad. We decided to give the feeders another chance, hoping the unwanted visitors would move on. The "attractive" application of duct tape worked to keep the perches in place....
The starlings still visit occasionally, though not in such great numbers as the first time. In between their visits, we've had waves of redwing blackbirds and a few goldfinch and chickadees -- and sparrows and a flicker picking up what's lost underneath the feeders.
At our house in Springfield, we used to see all kinds of different species of birds at one time on the feeders and at the bird baths.
Here at the Lake, they seem to visit just one kind at a time.
It might be because there is a greater variety of natural food sources -- and certainly there is more water.
So although there hasn't been as much activity as we'd hoped, it has been fun to see what each day brings to our observation window!
Just shows if you give them food they will come no matter were you are. Nice post.
Posted by: Neil | October 12, 2012 at 05:20 PM
I often think about putting a birdfeeder on our deck but never get around to it. Nice shots!
Posted by: Al | October 11, 2012 at 06:55 AM
For me, birds feeding is the great joy of winter time ! Last one a lot of birds was all around the feeders and it was a pleasure to saw all of them. Soon they will come back and the robin is already flying near our house...
Posted by: Annie | October 11, 2012 at 06:03 AM
A lovely series of bird shots!
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 11, 2012 at 03:07 AM
I love the whole travel thought, but to have to not have my bird feeders...glad you came up with a good plan~
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | October 10, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Sallie, Nice feeder captures! Feeders would be my one item to miss also.:)
Posted by: Jean | October 10, 2012 at 06:43 PM
Your images remind me of the joy of seeing my first yellow finches at my dad's feeder. What a treat.
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | October 10, 2012 at 06:06 PM
If I counted correctly, you've visited 41 states. Or at least I assume the categories mean you visited. I'm in one of the other 9. :<)
Posted by: Nan | October 10, 2012 at 04:26 PM
Oh my gosh, red wings at a feeder! There's no sound other than the robin that so clearly signals spring to me.
Posted by: Nan | October 10, 2012 at 04:24 PM
How nice that you were able to put out the feeders again, but your traveling life sounds like fun.
Posted by: Pat | October 10, 2012 at 09:28 AM
It must feel good to have the feeders out once more, even with the Starling terror. You've already gotten several pleasant visitors and great photos of them as well!
Posted by: Larry Jordan | October 10, 2012 at 08:09 AM
I have a feeder in my garden - but the birds are ignoring it! Nice set of pictures.
Thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Australia
Posted by: Stewart M | October 10, 2012 at 04:48 AM
A wonderful post... I often dream of a life like yours and after reading this it I want it even more.
Hugs Drew xx
Posted by: Andrew | October 10, 2012 at 04:00 AM
Lovely bird pictures ! I couldn't put up a feeder in our garden because of my 4 cats ! that wouldn't be nice, lol !
Posted by: Gattina | October 10, 2012 at 02:04 AM
It's great to see your feeders and all the birds visiting.
Love the grosbeaks.
Soon we'll start feeding the birds here as it's getting colder.
Have a great day, Sallie.
Mette
Posted by: CameraCruise | October 09, 2012 at 06:27 PM
it's a wonderful way to pass the time!! such pretty photo's, i would miss my feeders if we ever parted!!
Posted by: Debbie | October 09, 2012 at 03:58 PM
I've missed my little birds. I usually don't feed in the summer because there is lots of natural food. I'm looking forward to putting up the feeders again as it begins to get cooler. I have noticed a variety hanging around so I think they remember. :)
Love your visitors. The starling shot is lovely!
Posted by: Carletta | October 09, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Love the duct tape. What would we do without it?
We get just a few bird varieties here in the pecan orchard. Nothing like the many types we had in New Hampshire at the edge of the woods. We love watching them, though!
Posted by: Clair Z. | October 09, 2012 at 03:20 PM
You got a lot of great visitors to the feeder. I only get doves and blue jays. It;s neat to see them all there.
Posted by: Dina J | October 09, 2012 at 01:48 PM
I bet it feels nice to have the feeders out again!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl , Canada | October 09, 2012 at 01:43 PM
isn't it just, the simple things in life, if we learn how to appreciate them, mean so much to us. You're back to your bird feeders now, and such a delight. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Carole M. | October 09, 2012 at 01:11 PM
It's true what they say about duct tape! Good for you finding a fix. Those starlings can sure be big pests. I love photographing them in bright sunlight, though. These are great images and such a wonderful variety, even if they came one at a time. :)
Posted by: Gail | October 09, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Great sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | October 09, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Lovely stuff.
Posted by: Adam Jones | October 09, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Interesting story about your birds and feeding! It's always nice to have some bird to look at! Nice photos too!
Greetings Pia
Posted by: Pia | October 09, 2012 at 10:02 AM
A food selection of birds. What is an rv that you attached the feeders to? From Findlay
Posted by: Findlay Wilde | October 09, 2012 at 09:54 AM
Sallie, you have some great feeder birds. I love the Grosbeaks. I think we all have to put up with the grackles and blackbirds. I have lots of squirrels too, but I would miss my feeders. Great post.
Posted by: Eileen | October 09, 2012 at 07:53 AM
we get mobbed here in the winter by blackbirds and grackles. they will stay throughout and eat us out of house and home before going north again in the spring. but i can't stop putting out feeders as i enjoy the other birds too much, so we spend a small fortune.
yes, i've resorted to tape, wire, glue, etc. to save the feeders from destruction. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | October 09, 2012 at 07:35 AM
A live view through a window.
I would like to have one too.
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田) | October 09, 2012 at 06:56 AM
Even though I watch birds every day at the canyon I miss my winter feeders. Nice shots of your varied visitors.
Posted by: Gaelyn | October 09, 2012 at 06:26 AM
I enjoyed your shots of the hungry birds. I used to have trouble with large birds like starlings banging up against feeders to knock them to the ground to get at seeds. I used to have dozens of feeders but now that I've let my garden go wild there is so much natural food that I only feed the birds when it snows and I brush off the snow on my deck wall and cover it with seeds to make it easy for all the different birds. To answer your questions, The buds are square on the lantana but when they open they are like the shot with the soft round edges.
Posted by: Carver | October 09, 2012 at 06:18 AM
With so many birds coming and going it's a wonder you have time for anything else!!!
Posted by: Red Nomad OZ | October 09, 2012 at 02:08 AM
Birds are very photogenic. I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | October 09, 2012 at 12:21 AM
A crowd of Inland Gulls" and pigeons seem to have frightened off our garden birds. I am lucky to see one robin every now and then.City life is so different!
Posted by: HAZEL | October 09, 2012 at 12:02 AM