The cold weather this past week brought a flurry of not snow but birds, and the activity at the feeders was busier than ever. We saw some old familiar favorites join the foraging winter flock, including cardinals, house finches, and goldfinches, as well as some species that are new to me.
Of course, the titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, and wrens are still around, too. All I can say is, “Welcome!”
My friend Marya gave me a container of Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter from Wild Birds Unlimited, and I tried it out this week. As true as it promises, the birds love it.
When it was really cold outside, they went crazy for the Bark Butter, and some birds skipped the birdseed entirely. They’ve already cleaned the bark of the high-protein treat, so I’ll be sure to spread some more on right away. Thank you, Marya — the bark butter is a hit!
And on a completely different note, Happy Birdie Birthday to my sister Heather!
EDIT: My friend Jane, a Travis Audubon urban bird guru, identified the two last birds above for me — the bottom one is an Orange-Crowned Warbler, and the one above it is a pale Yellow-Rumped Warbler. Jane, thank you!
The bark butter was recommended to me the other day…I didn’t get it because I was worried about squirrels, rodents, etc. Have you seen anything other than the birds enjoying it? Great photos btw!
Meredith – Your bird photos are great. How long did you have to sit still to get them? Or do you have a two-foot long lens? I’ve never heard of the bark butter – but I’m going to get some. We have so many birds in the wild/woody area outside the breakfast room window — we have 12 feeders out there. Loved seeing your birds close up.
Cat, I haven’t actually tried the bark butter directly on a tree — just on hanging pine cones and our special “bark perch.” But I bet the squirrels would love it if they could get to it easily enough. They’ve been so preoccupied with their acorn duty that they really haven’t been searching for other foods that much, including birdseed.
Diana, thanks. The birds in the photos were right outside on my kitchen windows — while I do have a zoom lens now, I find myself wishing for a longer one all the time. In the meantime, I just wish I didn’t have to keep cleaning the kitchen windows for a decent shot!
Meredith, Your birds photos are getting better. They are gorgeous. There are many here but none as beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful shots of these wonderful critters! I’m a total bird watcher and I came to your site through The Whimsical Gardener. I live in Boerne so our bird population is pretty much the same. Can’t wait to see more!
I sure do miss the variety of birds that you are able to enjoy in the winter. I’m originally from Louisiana, and always enjoyed watching the beautiful birds in the winter especially. In Utah we have winter birds, but most of them fly south to warmer climates.
Great pictures! I love the first one. The birds look so young, too. Hearing birds through the winter helps remind me that spring is around the corner. Or is it? We had snow mixed with rain and also hail today. Mother Nature has had a hard time making up her mind what she wanted to do today. I think she got bored.
I’m gonna have to move my feeder closer to the window…no zoom lens ;(
Such great photos! We have two cardinals visiting my yard daily but none others yet. I’m hoping to see more as the days warm up a bit.
Meredith-as always beautiful pictures and you have some very clean kitchen windows! Any tips…as I am sure you don’t want to come over to clean mine, too.
These pictures reminded me of a recent breakfast, back in November, that my husband and I enjoyed at an adorable bed and breakfast in the mountains of North Carolina. While we ate, we looked out onto their wrap-around deck that overlooks the valley. There was only one bird feeder hanging from the deck and in just 15 minutes we saw at least 12 varieties of birds eat from the lone feeder. It was especially fun to watch when the very large Blue Jay would come and eat since it would tip the whole feeder so its platform was at a 45 degree angle. Without missing a beat, the Titmice would then fly over and land on the raised end of the platform and eat from the other side. Very entertaining!
You bird photos are wonderful. I do have two zoom lens one a 300, but can not get the close-ups as you have here. Are your feeders close to the windows like Cat was saying or are you outside shooting? When I go outside they all leave. I would love some tips.