Owl and Turkey

Yesterday, going to church at night, we came to a spot where there is woods on both sides and a creek under a bridge. Before the creek, right at the curve there stood a wild turkey! nice big one. then up the road a little was after we crossed the bridge, I was looking along side the road at the wood edge, and there sat an owl right on a branch perched by the water! the very first owl I have ever seen. We sat there and watched it for a couple of minutes and then it flew back into the woods. After church was done, we came home and I went straight for the bird book. I looked up the owl, and it turned out to be a Barred Owl. Thats what I thought it was when I saw it. It was very exciting to see an owl for the first time, wish I had a camera with me. ~Whitney

Hawk vs. Cardinal

You just never know what things can happen in just one morning. This is a Sharp Shinned Hawk eating a Northern Cardinal, my dad spotted this bird in the ground this morning. I grabbed my camera and took a few shots. Thankfully he flew away with it before he started eating it, he was plucking the feathers off of it while he was on the ground. This is a picture of him protecting his prize from other hawks. Hawks put their wings down and over their prey so that no one will get it from him. I will put the other pictures in the photo section of this blog later on. ~Whitney

Purple Finch

This is a male purple finch, they visit our feeders during the winter months. I thought they were gone, because I didn't see any for a long time. Until yesterday, and today. I was blessed enough to see the male and the female yesterday. I tried and tried all day to get a picture of the male purple finch, then I got one! it sure does take some patience to get pictures of birds that are shy. ~Whitney

Eastern Towhee

The Eastern Towhees are back in town! even though they are here in North Carolina year round. I was excited about seeing him today high up in the tree. I grabbed my camera, and went outside and took some pictures. Not the best picture I have taken. I hope to get a better picture of him one day, they are sure hard to get a picture of because they like to hide in brushy areas.~Whitney

"Bark" Butter

This is Blackie, every since I made the bark butter he has been trying to get to it. When it was on the tree, he would put his front paws up on the tree and try to get to it. Then I moved the bark butter on to a wood wedge, and he tried it, and got to it. I think he enjoyed it, after taken some pictures of him eating the bark butter, I told him to get down. He was still licking his lips from the bark butter when he was done. So cute! ~Whitney

Quick Chickadees

Most birders have trouble getting good pictures of Chickadees, why? because they are so quick. I am going to be giving you some tips on how to get a good picture of a chickadee. So, have a pen and paper on hand to write down these tips.

1. You are more likely to get a chickadee picture when you go out side to bird watch.

2. Supply Sunflower seeds for the chickadee to crack open, he will fly to a tree branch to open it. Which leades to a great chance in getting a picture of him.

3. If you do bird watching from indoors, set up a tripod and a bowl of sunflower seed on a porch or deck. Get ready to take a picture as soon as he lands to get a seed. Don't wait.

4. Have your camera focused and ready at anytime.

5. Study Chickadees, their behaviour. This can help.

And last but not least: 6. Have patience, this is important of all the tips given.

Have fun while taking pictures of Chickadees, they are quick, little birdies that are a joy to watch. I hope these tips will help you to get a good shot of a chickadee one day. Don't give up, it might take awhile to get one. Just enjoy. ~Whitney

Tailless Cardinal

This is the first time I have seen a tailless cardinal, looks just like any other cardinal but with out a tail. My mom first spotted him yesterday when he landed on the porch to eat from the food dish. And today I finally got a picture of him! I'll post another one in the photo section of this blog. ~Whitney