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SpoonfulOSugar

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Yesterday was a busy day in the yard.  I haven't really been able to figure out what factors contribute to the number of species/interactions I see, but whatever it is, yesterday was high.

I have six bird feeders:  syrup for the hummingbirds, thistle for the goldfinches, two with sunflower seeds, and two with a traditional birdseed.

Two of the feeders (the "duplicates") are on our east lawn (by the snow trees) so I don't see or photograph them much.  The others I can see when I am settled in my chair.

So the first thing yesterday was that I harvested from the garden (lots - I was proud) and then went to sit under the crabapple tree.

I could hear all sorts of noises - crickets early and then after a bit cicadas, the neighbors doing neighbor things, the traffic on the next street . . . .

And then I noticed "tap, tap, tap, tap, tap."  I cocked my head and listened:  I wasn't really sure if it was in the tree overhead or in a neighbor's yard.  "Tap, tap, tap."  Some of our species are pretty tolerant of humans, but I didn't want to scare this one off.

So I gradually worked my way around the tree, listening and looking.  "Tap, tap."

And I finally found it!

Spoiler

8_4_Downy_good.JPG

A Downy woodpecker - eating the ants (have at it) that are such a torment.

Because I was basically shooting straight up, I got lots of belly and throat shots.

Spoiler

8_4_Downy_belly.JPG

We do see the Downy at the feeders occasionally in the winter, but it isn't a regular visitor (even when I've hung suet.)

Pretty much every day now I have purple finches, goldfinches, chickadees, a pair of cardinals, song and chipping sparrows, and mourning doves.  I also have a couple of these little guys.

Spoiler

8_4_Nuthatch.JPG

I'm very fond of nuthatches because of their sort of bouncy movements.  They are visiting enough that I'm hopeful of getting good shots this winter.  (I know I have at least two - I believe there are actually four.)

When I got the photo of the nuthatch - it was actually sharing the feeder.  This guy was on the other side looking at me:

Spoiler

8_4_Chipmunk.JPG

Mr. Chipmunk has been around a bit more - two problems:  1) big birds and 2) KATZ.  I've tried to explain that if he comes to a space with known hazards, I can't guarantee his safety, but #logic.

So all the species of mammals were present:  big gray squirrel, Mr. Chipmunk, and the little red squirrel (in the midst of the rain):

Spoiler

8_4_Pippers.JPG

At the hummingbird feeder, we have at least two females and a male.  I don't seem to be having much luck getting photos of them these days - I need cooler weather so I'm not shooting through three panes of glass.  (But with cooler weather, they'll head south. :(  *sigh*)

Late in the afternoon, Mr. Spoon and I watched a sparrow working in my Brassica bed.  The plants have been a disaster/crop failure - something is chewing them.  I couldn't tell whether the little bird was eating them or an insect, so it shall remain a mystery.

I get great pleasure from all the creatures visiting.  I'm a little concerned that neighbors will object to us feeding (we also have a horrid flock of grackles and a murder of crows, but they don't get photographed!) but most of them seem to understand.

Happy Friday from the busy Spoon yard! :)

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      • Upvote 4
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      • Upvote 1


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