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The weather Gods seem unable to make up their minds today, but you’ll not hear me complain.
Especially with a high temperature of 61F/13C.
It’s what I call jacket weather.
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Contemplating the early sky, it was unclear what to expect but days like this, I keep the camera to hand.
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Not that it ever gets much of a rest.
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Washing breakfast dishes I watched an ever-changing tableau and cursed my inability to clean windows effectively.
At this time of day my shortcomings are very evident.
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Metholated spirits and newspaper, I’m told. But we don’t have any.
The spotlight operator was at work.
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Of course, I could keep running in and out, but sun spots tend to be brief.
Here, the angle of the light turned the corn field orange.
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The kitchen window is a source of endless enjoyment.
Having rescued mousey from a dire fate the other night, I went back to finish what I had been doing only to be distracted by activity outside, in the fading light.
A bunny had come upon groundhog leftovers.
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But it was birds that drew my attention.
A male cardinal was feeding a fledgling.
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At least I assumed it was a fledgling, though it seemed a bit late in the season.
As I watched, the young towhee hopped into the picture, now proudly displaying its adult plumage.
In the dim light I was not able to notice that all of these birds were in various stages of moult!
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The towhee debated taking on a bit of carrot.
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“Found yourself some seeds little one?”
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“There’s a bit more if you want some.”
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It wasn’t till I dowloaded the images that I realised what a tatty lot these birds were!
The cardinals will remain for the winter.
The towhee will probably fly south soon.
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What of Beaky the nuthatch? Apparently they don’t all migrate, but I’m not sure we usually see them in the winter months.
Beaky is managing well despite its crossed bill.
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Beaky is back and forth all day and quite often can be seen flying off with a peanut wedged in its beak.
“Me? There’s nothing wrong with me!”
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Phoebe will be going and we will miss this pert little bird that until last year we did not know was here!
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Little brown birds blend in well and unless you pay close attention it’s easy to think you’ve seen a sparrow or a female cowbird.
But once you’ve noticed the shape of the beak and its overall stance, you will not be mistaken again.
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The titmouse will need nuts all winter!
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During the summer, goldfinches congregate along the road by a pond but presumably their food requirements are no longer satisfied down there.
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It appears they are quite keen on sunflowers.
Goldfinches migrate.
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After not seeing a hummingbird for several days, we thought they had departed but I leave the feeder out because there is always the chance of others stopping by on their way from further north.
Sure enough one turned up today.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the wonderfully entertaining post and photos! I love your comments on the birds’ conversation! And your sunflowers are beautiful!
Joanna x
They really are a scruffy lot at the moment and yet we still have pigeons who think there’s time to hatch another brood!
The view from your kitchen is amazing … I’ll want to wash dishes all day! Or no, correction – I’ll want to stand in front of your kitchen window all day! I love seeing the birds through your camera lens. I think the titmouse’s feet look too big for his little body, but what a pretty little one! And Beaky’s beak — that he’s still getting food in his stomach is a wonder. We have so many goldfinches here in our garden – I have to fill the bird feeder at least 3 times a day! But I love watching them.