Hand Fed?

I have been trying to get brown headed nuthatches to feed out of my hand for awhile now, I finally got them to be brave enough to get a sunflower seed out of a cup that I hold in my hand. Its pretty cool to be that close to these sweet little birds! So friendly. I love them. ~Whitney

Bluebird Family

For the past few weeks, we have noticed that some one has been building in our bluebird house. We were hoping that it was the bluebirds, so sure enough we saw the bluebirds at the house. They are building, they have no babies yet. I was lucky enough to have gotten this shot of the male eastern bluebird at the bluebird house. The female was in the tree. He didn't have anything in his beak, he just peeked in. I guess to see if the all the furniture was in the right place!!! :D No, birds don't use furniture. When I looked in the house about a week ago, they had the floor of the nest done. I haven't looked in it since. We always get a Eastern Bluebird and a Brown headed Nuthatch family every year. I wish we would get a chickadee family or something, anything besides HOUSE SPARROWS! I will keep everyone updated on the Bluebird Family. ~Whitney

Hot Weather!

Now that it is getting hotter, make sure that have fresh, clean for the birds and squirrels in your area. You need to at least clean the bowls or bird bath once or twice a week, and put clean water in it every day. Birds love to take bathes in shallow water bowls. You can use a pot tray like this one on the left, birds like it to take a bath in. You can use anything, make sure it is not metal, as this can make the little birds feet hot. You even might crows to come! ~Whitney

First Year of Hummingbird Feeding

This is the first year that I am feeding the hummingbirds, they are here in NC. I saw two last week, I got me these little hummingbird feeders at the dollar store for starters. And I got a flower and found a pot and planted it in there and sat it on the porch, so that I could watch it. We'll see if I get any hummers within a week, I hope I do. The type of flower I planted is a snap dragon, hummingbirds like them. If you want to do this or even just plant flowers that the hummingbirds like, they will find it. I will be updating about the hummingbirds. Hope they come :) ~Whitney

Osprey

Yesterday while sitting outside, I noticed a big hawk like bird flying over head. He was real low, and I knew that I could get a good shot. So, I raised my camera and took one picture. Today I finally loaded it on the computer and cropped it, when I did, I noticed that it looked alot like an Osprey. An Osprey? couldn't be, they live around water. There is no water where I live besides a little creek in the woods. And that's about it. So, I got some advice from some other birders. And so far, it is an Osprey. I think this is the mystery bird that I have been seeing flying around now and then. Ospreys are not in the hawk family, they are more like eagles. They eat fish. So, there is another bird on my list of birds. I'll have to keep my eye open for him. ~Whitney

My First Owl

Remember when I saw the owl and the turkey? Well, ever since I saw the owl I have been bringing my camera with me to church. And it finally payed off when I got this nice picture of him sitting in a tree. I was really excited about getting this good of a picture. I got another picture of him before he flew to this branch. It is not as good. Patience really does work when you really want a picture of something such as an owl. Hope I can get more pictures of him soon, and I will still bring my camera along with me when we do go to church. ~Whitney

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