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You are here: Home / Archives for birds

Pictures of a Beautiful Little Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

April 27, 2015 by Joi Sigers 9 Comments

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
 

Thanks to an AWESOME bird feeding stand my youngest son-in-law made for me this year, we had visitors to our yard we’d never had in the past – Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks.

When I first looked out my kitchen window and saw one happily eating away, I kind of froze – I couldn’t take my eyes off the vividly colorful little beauty. I finally grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. These were taken through my kitchen window, so the pictures aren’t the least bit clear.

You can, however, get a good idea just how beautiful this bird is.

Whenever I say the words, “Rose-Breasted Grosbeak,” I feel like a friend of Jane Hathaway’s from an episode of Beverly Hillbillies – the nerdy birdwatcher.

It’d be so much easier on me if this bird was named something that sounded less “bird nerd” – like Diane or Saul.

At any rate, apparently this migratory bird has already passed through Owensboro, Kentucky because I haven’t seen any at any of our feeders for about three days. Naturally, as soon as my camera is on standby, they’ve moved on.

The thrill we got from seeing a new breed (new to us, anyway!) up close and personal was a great reminder to mix things up at your birdfeeders every now and again. Offer different seeds and different types of feeders.  Some birds prefer ground feeding (robins), some prefer hanging feeders (sparrows, finches), and some (like my new friend the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak) seem to prefer a “raised” feeder.

Then there are doves, blackbirds, and cardinals who will pretty much go wherever the seed takes them.

The feeder Rusty built for me offers something for all birds – there’s a raised feeder, hooks for hanging feeders, finch feeders, and hummingbird feeders, and even a couple of spots for squirrel corn.

This bird and squirrel lover is going to have an especially fun summer.

I apologize for the pictures being fuzzy, it’s next to impossible to get a clear picture through glass.

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Filed Under: Kentucky Birds, Kentucky Picture of the Day Tagged With: birds, Kentucky pictures, Pictures of Birds, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Birding Bonanza at Woodlands Nature Station

April 25, 2014 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Hummingbirds at the Woodlands Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes

 

This event has expired, but you can find a list of up to the minute Kentucky Events as well as an entire page about Things to Do in Kentucky!

It’s always the right time to visit the beautiful Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, but if you’re a bird lover like me, you’ll want to circle May 10 on your calendar.

The wonderful Woodlands Nature Station invites all bird lovers to join them for a Birding Bonanza on Saturday, May 10. Learn to identify common birds, get tips on attracting birds to your backyard, go on a scavenger hunt, enjoy face to face encounters with Nature Station’s birds, and more! All programs are free with Nature Station admission.

The family friendly activities and programs will focus on learning all about birds:

  • 10am Truly Talon-ted
  • Ongoing, 10am-4pm Backyard Bird Scavenger Hunt
  • 11am Adult Nature Series: Warbler Walk
  • 1pm From Hummingbirds to Hawks: Backyard Birding for Kids
  • 3pm Welcome Back Hummingbirds!

Follow the official Land Between the Lakes Twitter Profiles to stay up to date on all of the upcoming LBL events and activities: @LBLScreechOwl & @LandBtwnLakes.

While you’re at it, be sure to follow me on Twitter, too: @JoiTaniaSigers (how’s that for wedging my way into a conversation??!)

See more pictures from Woodlands Nature Station– this is a very, very special place. I honestly never want to leave.

Filed Under: LBL, Springtime in Kentucky, The Nature Station Tagged With: birds, events, LBL

Pictures of the Day: A Beautiful Killdeer and Its Cherished Possessions

July 9, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Killdeer (June 2013)

As I’ve often said, my favorite bird is the one I’m looking at at the moment. Two minutes ago my favorite bird was a dove as one sat on on my windowsill looking in at me. About 30 minutes ago, my favorite bird was a female cardinal (female cardinal’s beaks are such a beautiful color of orange, it defies description).

Let’s be honest – I love all birds. Yes, even blackbirds. I think they’re beautiful and, quite frankly, I love their determination and fighting spirit.

Another bird that brings me a great deal of entertainment and joy is the killdeer.  We have a lot of Killdeer around us and I could watch them for hours at a time.  Their graceful beauty, unmistakable call (kind of a screechy kill-deer), and unique personality make them a favorite whether I’m watching one at the moment or haven’t seen one for hours.

The most fascinating thing about these birds has to do with their parental instincts and it never ceases to amaze me.

When Killdeer fear that their nest is threatened by a “predator,” they launch into a display that has to be seen to be believed. The adult Killdeer will shriek, then launch into a “wounded” act to draw the predator away from the nest. It’s as though they’re saying, “Look! I’m injured.. an easy prey, here.. Come get me!”  They’ll flop around, raising one wing in the air as though it’s broken. It’s really something to see.

Killdeer Distracting from Its Nest

We have a lot of Killdeers in the fields and lots near our home and are fortunate to see this production often. When I know a nest is in a particular area, I try to avoid it – not only do I not want to chance stepping on the eggs, I don’t want to rile up the parents and cause them any undue stress or temper tantrums.

On the day I took these pictures, I was actually trying to get a good photo of a mother rabbit and 3 adorable babies.  Just as I saw 4 fluffy little tails all hop out of sight, I heard the unmistakable call of a Killdeer and looked around in time to catch her act.  From a distance, I snapped a few pictures. That’s why they’re out of focus, she was many feet away. As I started to walk away, I noticed the little eggs she was fiercely protecting.

Thank God I always watch where I step!

Killdeer Eggs (June 2013)

I took a really, really, really quick picture of the nest and left the scene, after all it’s their home, not mine. That’s always been my approach to photographing wildlife – enjoy them but treat them with respect.  If the opportunity arises to take a picture, I do so as quickly and quietly as possible.  That’s why a lot of my pictures of wildlife may not be “lined up” perfectly – like you’d see in a photography magazine.

That sort of thing doesn’t matter nearly as much as allowing the animal to enjoy his or her day with the same amount of joy they brought to mine.

Filed Under: Kentucky Birds, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Kentucky Wildlife Tagged With: bird pictures, birds, Killdeer, Killdeer pictures

Picture of the Day for Fellow Bird Lovers: Welcoming Back Robins!

February 12, 2013 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Robin at Panther Creek Park, Owensboro
I love birds with all that’s within me, but I’m never any happier to see ANY bird than I am the first robin each year.  That first chubby little orange belly always makes me smile ear to ear because it’s what I consider my first sign of waving goodbye to winter and hello to spring.

The first robin I saw this year was Thursday morning (Feb. 7). I was enthralled in my morning ritual – standing at the window, drinking coffee while watching the birds at our bird feeders and feeding stations.  I did a double-take when I saw my little harbinger of spring hopping across the yard.  I excitedly told my cat, “The first robin!” but her expression said, “Delicious,” so I found someone else to celebrate with.

The robin in the picture above was photographed later that day when my youngest daughter and I took advantage of the 66 degree weather by walking at Panther Creek Park. It was just ridiculously gorgeous and we loved every single minute, as did the birds, ducks, and a couple of older men who were fishing and just plain loving life.

The adorable robin actually stood perfectly still, consenting to pose for me.  She apparently loved the camera because I could have snapped 100 and she never would have complained once.  After a few shots, though, I simply put my camera down and just watched her.  Realizing that the photo shoot was over, she flew off to another spot.

See the other pictures I took that afternoon on our Panther Creek Park Pictures page – the newest ones are at the bottom.

Just look for the little camera lover.

 

Filed Under: Kentucky Birds, Kentucky Picture of the Day, Panther Creek Park Tagged With: birds, Kentucky birds, Owensboro, Panther Creek Park

Picture of the Day: Beautiful Bird Flying Over Rough River Lake

June 28, 2012 by Joi Sigers Leave a Comment

Bird flying in the sky over Rough River Lake
Bird soaring above Rough River Lake at Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

As a major bird lover, watcher, admirer, and feeder (I can fill feeders with the best of them), I spend as much time looking up as I do around… even when I’m on a lake as beautiful as Rough River Lake. Ã? The picture above, in fact, was taken on a recent Lady of the Lake boat tour at Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

Birds like the one shown here can always be found near large bodies of water, so your’s truly had her eyes toward the sky as often as she did the lake. Ã? Some people may think I’m nuts, but what can I say, it’s a bird thing.

 

Filed Under: Kentucky Picture of the Day, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Rough River Lake Tagged With: birds, Kentucky pictures, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Rough River Lake

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