Gray Fox

A Gray Fox was hunting among the blackberry brambles this morning.  Although it moved with great stealth, barely moving the brambles, you could watch the progression of its travels by the numerous sparrows flying up.  Hope it finally found something to eat.












It was a beautiful morning out with a bit of coolness in the shade or if you hit a spot where the wind was blowing but for two days before the winter solstice, you could not have asked for much nicer.  Tomorrow should be even better before the next cold front comes through.

Bluebird Baskers

Yes, the sun felt good today.  Out only for a little while today as I took the morning to finish Christmas shopping then later in the early afternoon, took my aunt out to finish her shopping.  Hopefully headed to Mattamuskeet this Thursday.  My last three attempts have been foiled by either weather or family obligations.

Playing with Ice

Having to wait for a delivery today I had to hang around the house.  I decided to get out the macro lens and play around with some ice that had formed in a saucer I keep filled with water for the little birds.

Some of the bubbles and striations look almost like something alien.  After several shots I decided to put a CD behind the ice.  Pretty cool effect looking almost like some distant nebula in space.

Good-bye to Piggish Squirrels

After several frustrating days of continually chasing the squirrels away from the suet feeder, enough was enough.  They were going through one suet cake in no time.  The dog was tired of being sent out to chase them away.

I started looking around at several designs for squirrel proof/resistant suet feeders.  I finally decided on the Stokes feeder as the hanging loop screwed down making it also resistant to the raccoons.








With the rain and cold today, it has been interesting to watch the birds becoming accustomed to the new feeder.  Some were quite hesitant at first and each bird has it's own approach.  After successfully navigating for the first time or two their confidence built and soon were no longer hesitant.

The squirrels have crawled all over it trying to get to the suet but no go.  They have finally quit trying.  Yeah!

The Cardinals tried several times but could not hold on.  I finally took a bamboo stick and placed through the outer cage.  This gave the Cardinals and Bluebirds a place to perch first.  They have been the most hesitant of all but surprisingly, so were the White-breasted Nuthatches.

Yes, the cage does work.  While it inhibits some photo ops, it does what it is supposed to do which is keep the squirrels out.

Cold Saturday Morning

I went out early to see what ducks were on the pond this morning.  To my delight about a dozen Northern Shovelers had arrived at the pond.  The Ring-billed Ducks were back again this morning also.  The Mallards did not quite know what to think of the Shovelers.  Their habit of swimming in circles searching the bottom had the Mallards stirred up.    Unfortunately they were on the far side of the pond and at the out limits of my lens.  Hopefully they will stay the winter and I will have some additional opportunities.  I had thought about coming back home and getting the scope but there was a pretty stiff breeze coming over the bridge of the pond.


I had a nice opportunity to photograph a Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker this morning.  Not sure what it was finding to eat but if worked an area at the edge of the water for some time.  They are usually so skittish that I enjoyed the relaxed opportunity.

More Activity in The Cedar Trees

I went out for a bit around mid day.  The activity around the cedar trees was high.  What I wonder about is why the birds will select a specific tree then want to squabble over the berries.  On this farm, there are lots of cedar trees and all are loaded with berries but each day the birds target a different tree,








The Bluebirds and Waxwings were in a constant squabble with each other.  There were a couple of water bowls in one of the animal pens that the Waxwings kept visiting.  When some of the Bluebirds decided to join in, the Waxwings expressed their displeasure.
Sorry for the fence noise.







These trees also are a favorite of the Kinglets to hunt in.  This little Ruby-crowned got so close to me at times I could not even get the camera to focus without stepping back.

As I was walking back to the car, there was a water hole that the Dark-eyed Juncos were using as a bath spot.  They were really enjoying the water even on a cool day.

A Bevy of Bluebirds

After days of rain it was nice to see the sun today though a bit on the cool side.  After doing the Thanksgiving Day lunch thing I was completely miserable from too much food.  Steak, shrimp and scallops.  Yum!  Not the traditional T-Day food but it sure was good.












Not being use to a large mid day meal I found myself wanting to take a nap.  Oh no...I won't sleep at night if I do that.  With the sun out I grabbed the camera and the dog and headed out.  She needed to burn up some energy from being stuck in the house after two rainy days.









There were at least a dozen bluebirds performing acrobatic feats in their efforts to get the cedar berries.  The Cedar Waxwings were taking their turn also but they stayed more to the inside of the tree so no really good photos of them.  The Bluebirds however went for the outer edges of the limbs where the greatest number of berries were.












There was the tilt and lean method, the flutter and sometimes just sit and look.  The lean and tilt was the preferred method.  They were quite amusing to watch.  The dog was ready to go before I was but then of course she took at least 15 running steps for every one step I took.