The Birds of Lake Mary

I have accomplished precious little today. The bird feeder and cranberry bush outside the kitchen windows were teeming with wildlife and there were many different birds out there within a three hour span of time.

I just couldn't tear myself away. Got a few photos but as usual I was shooting through the window so they're not great. They are proof, however, that I actually did see these guys. So here they are...birds from our own little habitat. Armed with my camera and Jack's "Birds of Minnesota" book, I was prepared for anything.

One note: These are pretty much all male birds. In fact, that's the only way I could figure out what they are. For some reason, the males are always more colorful than the females. Not fair, of course, but that's just the way it is.

This is a Chipping Sparrow. At first I thought it was an American Tree Sparrow but there's a subtle difference. The Chipping Sparrow has a dark streak from its beak and on past its eye. The Tree Sparrow's streak is brown like the top of it's head.

This rascally bird is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I took many pictures of him because he had no intentions of leaving that bird feeder any time soon. And as you can see he's big. The little guys didn't stand a chance.

I have to say that although he is definitely more colorful than the female (which apparently looks like a large sparrow) he is not much of a beauty. Well, you have to agree that beak is not dainty.

I didn't get a very good picture of this White Breasted Nuthatch. The angle was awkward and he wouldn't sit still. But that's what it is. They have a habit of hopping head first down a tree trunk. It enables them to see bugs & insects that other birds miss on the way up! Clever.

There are several Goldfinches here, this year. They're happy to share the feeder with anyone who shows up. They're so pretty. They're also called "wild canary".

This bird is a White Crowned Sparrow. There are so many types of sparrows and you can't always tell that's what they are. They can vary in color and markings and even size. These White Crowned Sparrows apparently don't nest in Minnesota. Guess they're just traveling through.

Today I also saw and photographed Mourning Doves, House Finch, Robin, and House Sparrows. They're posted on my Flickr photostream. Blogger only allows five photos to be posted at a time and it's not easy arranging them. I keep forgetting that the last photo that I upload appears first in the post. That's usually not how I want them. Wish they'd work on that

Anyway, there were a few beauties that got away. For example, there was a Baltimore Oriole. I almost fell over myself trying to get to the camera. Didn't get to it in time, though. Gorgeous, gorgeous bird. And I saw a Brown-headed Cowbird a couple of days ago.

We usually have several Chickadees as you all know from past years but haven't spotted a chickadee for a few days. There were also red-winged blackbirds...two of them.

I'm hoping they all return tomorrow. I'll be ready.