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TNRabbit R.I.P.
02-21-2012, 11:57 AM
Caught these two guys. Sorry the (Downey?) woodpecker shot is so bad...

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04048.jpg?t=1329839562

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04050.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04053.jpg

Rorschach
02-21-2012, 12:47 PM
squirrels - very tasty

AgentOrange
02-24-2012, 01:57 PM
Good photos.
Put a little suet mix on the porch and that Woodpecker will visit all day.
I like my squirrels, but these days my new cats are keeping them at bay.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
02-24-2012, 05:20 PM
Had some more visitors today:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04106.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04107.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04100.jpg

AgentOrange
02-24-2012, 05:42 PM
Most anytime you put out a new feeder or change the location of one, the first birds to find it are Titmouse and Chickadee.

Good photos. You will soon be moving your Sunfire to the deck.

simpleman
02-24-2012, 09:35 PM
Nice shots Gary. Be careful, the more time you spends bird watching the more you fall in love with them. I see a future National Audubon Society Member being born. Soon you'll be jumping on the GW band wagon and moving to the trees.:dejection:

Douglas
02-25-2012, 07:53 AM
Nice photos Gary! Birds do love those sunflower seeds. We have a feeder in the back yard, and have all kinds of birds visit it. You should see the squirrels try to get to it! I think they have finally learned it's not gonna happen, so they hang out under it, picking up dropped seeds.

AgentOrange
02-25-2012, 11:26 AM
Ten years ago sunflower seed was about $15 for 50# at Lowes. Then they went to 40# bags and upped the price to $18. Later Tractor Supply put in 40# bags for $14 but the price has gone up and it is at $23 this Winter. That really puts a crimp in my Bird budget. :mad-new: I watch for the coupons that come out every few months, and have found the shelled sunflower to be a good buy right now. I also keep out salflour, white millet, and deer corn which the squirrels and some birds eat. I make my own suet cakes and take out a few shelled peanuts when I sit outside for the Titmouse. I generally pick up 4 bags (160#) of Millet and sunflower at a time. As a plus, I have planted berry bushes like Nadina, Pyracanter, and Hollies to add to the native berry bushes in the yard. Throw in a couple acorn trees and water features , and my yard attracts a lot birds. :tears_of_joy:

TNRabbit R.I.P.
02-26-2012, 02:26 PM
Caught this guy on camera today; there were several of them:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04114.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04118.jpg

TNRabbit R.I.P.
02-26-2012, 05:31 PM
He's back:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04123.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04125.jpg

TNRabbit R.I.P.
02-26-2012, 08:04 PM
Click the pic for a video:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/th_20120226164546.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/?action=view&current=20120226164546.mp4)

angelod307
02-27-2012, 02:34 AM
if i were a dog,,,,,i would go nuts and say " squirel....." then loose my mind like my terrier.

Douglas
02-27-2012, 07:38 AM
We have some of those little red and brown birds down here too. Don't know the name of them though. Anyone???

AgentOrange
02-27-2012, 12:45 PM
House Finch.

Same size and feeding habits as The Gold Finch.
You notice the Titmouse and Chickadee choose a seed and leave. The Finches just sit there and chomp down as breaking the seed open is easy for them.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-02-2012, 11:54 AM
From yesterday, about 3 hours after I put the feeder up:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04134.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04133.jpg

They studied the feeder for 2 hours before they even attempted to get close. One went out on the limb to the feeder, but I picked a limb that was very small & springy, so they didn't even make out there. The kicker is, even if they make it to the feeder, any weight other than a few birds will make it spring down & close access to the holes, so they won't be able to get at it anyway. The Downey Woodpecker has been tearing the suet feeder UP!

Douglas
03-02-2012, 02:56 PM
Oh yeah, The squirrels here have tried everything to get onto mine. Had a 1/2" woven nylon aircraft tie down rope holding it up. They finally figured out they could chew through that, so now have a chain wrapped around a tree limb holding it. I've had a Squirrel Buster Plus for a couple of years, and it's a lot like the one you have.
http://www.birdwatching-bliss.com/squirrel-proof-bird-feeder.html
Watch this video. The first 3 min. has lots of good bird audio and video, then starts the squirrel action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic_nah9YJ7g&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic_nah9YJ7g&feature=player_embedded)

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-02-2012, 05:10 PM
Cool, Doug!

A shitpot of Grackles showed up today, tearing everything all to hell. I went out & clapped my hands & they all left. Must have been 500 of them migrating through...

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04147.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04146.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC04144.jpg

simpleman
03-02-2012, 07:11 PM
"Watch this video. The first 3 min. has lots of good bird audio and video, then starts the squirrel action."
Take that you little bastards !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:applause::applause::applause: :applause::applause::applause::applause:

Douglas
03-02-2012, 08:00 PM
Cool, Doug!

A shitpot of Grackles showed up today, tearing everything all to hell. I went out & clapped my hands & they all left. Must have been 500 of them migrating through...
I rank grackles right under seagulls on my crappy bird list. We have a Wally World not too far away where you can't park in the handicapped spots after sunset, unless you want a grackle crap shower. And they are so loud too!

simpleman
03-02-2012, 08:54 PM
Best thing for Grackles and Starlings is a 22 bullet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Douglas
03-03-2012, 08:03 AM
My Daisy pellet rifle with a little scope on it does a right respectable job too. And there are no neighbors calling 911 to report that old guy is shooting guns again.

AgentOrange
03-03-2012, 12:00 PM
I see one or two a year and they cause me no problem, just eat a little millet. In Matthews I had Starlings and I was in a constant battle trying to find ways to keep them off my suet. Out here the large farm fields keep them all occupied I guess.

I do have a murder of Crows that cross by each morning and evening - very loud, lots of fun. They have never bothered me. They make their living on the lake. The Beagle likes to chase them when they are in the cove.

Each year I get CowBirds in the Spring and shoot at them for another reason. Here is a post on my new gun. That sucker hits hard and straight.
http://yardcrap.typepad.com/yardcrap/2011/05/i-hate-cowbirds.html

Still, was never able to shoot at one, just used the air soft guns.:indecisiveness: I am too soft.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-08-2012, 04:02 PM
More pics from the back yard this week. I really should separate the birds & critters (squirrels) but I'm just too damn lazy for posting in two threads~

Here's a video of a woodpecker wearing out the suet:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/th_20120303151749.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/?action=view&current=20120303151749.mp4)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04178.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04182.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04176.jpg



...and this little bastard is getting cheeky as hell:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04185.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04187.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04190.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04193.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04196.jpg

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-08-2012, 04:04 PM
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04167.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04170.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04173.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04172.jpg

AgentOrange
03-08-2012, 04:51 PM
I love my Squirrels. You will soon learn how to handle them. They are some of "the fun", not the enemy.

My yard is made for Cardinals and lots live here. They thin out in Spring as they are territorial. They fight their image on on my widow feeder - good fun. It drives my cats wild. Cardinals are the first birds to arrive in the morning and the last to leave the yard at dark. They are beautiful birds and sometimes we miss that fact as they are common. They eat almost everything. It is hard to find a bird as striking.

That Red-bellied Woodpecker is a real treat at my place. I have a window feeder in the bed room. Birds flock in to it. I put in big balls of home made suet. The Red-bellies arrive and not being shy - challenge all as they land. My cats go berserk and beat on the glass.
At one time I had Red-headed Woodpeckers, but not lately. Red-bellies are year 'round here. When the kids hatch, the parents bring the kids to my bedroom window to teach them where the free food is. A great backyard bird.

Gary, you need to put up at least a 'sticky' on your computer to list your birds. You could just entertain us all and start a thread of birds seen in your back yard. All here should do that. It is fun, cheap and while it may seem lame, at some point it will take your heart beat to a new level when some one lands you need to ID. We need a 'sticky' on BackYard birds.

My heart has been all out many, many times. I have pushed it to failure. Few here can say that as not many have gone all out in a Marathon or a mile foot race and maxed their heart. To really do it you have to train that thing and teach it to go crazy, otherwise you fall short and loose the day. It is not something you can just go out and do. You have to train to get the max and that takes years of hard work. Then you need the excitement of friends and peers to bring out all your heart can do.

On the other side of it, when I think I see a new bird, I panic. I have a plan, but I panic. I just can't tell you how much excitment that is -> you have to experience it. It is easier than re-grouping your mind to close hard on that last mile at Boston. Still, when I think I see a new Warbler, my heart races, my vision blurrs and time races. All my "calm" escapes.


Back Yard Bird Watching is a Man's sport, and I can back that up.

Douglas
03-08-2012, 05:13 PM
Every time I go to Lowes and get a bag of sunflower seeds, the guy asks me....Feeding the squirrels huh? LOL They do LOVE those sunflower seeds! Nice pictures of the woodpecker and Cardinal. :)

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-08-2012, 05:42 PM
More videos; they take forever to upload even with a blazing fast connection...

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/th_20120308143019.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/?action=view&current=20120308143019.mp4)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/th_20120308142653.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/?action=view&current=20120308142653.mp4)

AgentOrange
03-08-2012, 05:50 PM
Forgot to add - some of those photos are just excellent.

AgentOrange
03-08-2012, 06:05 PM
Every time I go to Lowes and get a bag of sunflower seeds, the guy asks me....Feeding the squirrels huh? LOL They do LOVE those sunflower seeds! Nice pictures of the woodpecker and Cardinal. :)

I saw this week that the guy who wrote some of my favorite songs died.
I am man enough to admit that I love his tunes and how Julie Andrews did a few of them. I am not jumping on the bandwagon. I put this up a couple years ago and nothing has changed. I have never watched 'Sound of Music' because I heard Mary got kissed. I am not yet ready for that. Go play this: http://yardcrap.typepad.com/yardcrap/2010/08/feed-the-birds.html

All the audiophiles in the world could group and not find better than the many audio performances of Julie Andrews.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-09-2012, 01:11 PM
A new visitor today; what kind is this?

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04206.jpg

And of course the Cardinal was back, with his mate this time:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04200.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04201.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04202.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04205.jpg

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-19-2012, 10:51 PM
Had a pair of doves here this week:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04252.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04257.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC04255.jpg

simpleman
03-20-2012, 08:26 AM
I used to love listening to the Mourning Doves back in Michigan. Never hear them out hear in Oregon. Nice shots Gary.

Douglas
03-20-2012, 09:23 AM
Nice shots Gary! :applouse: Down here there are quite a few that hang out all year. They like those sunflower seeds too. I'll see them and the squirrels under the bird feeder gleaning what they can from the dropped seeds. When I first put up the bird feeder, they tried to feed from it, but are too big.

kingman R.I.P.
03-25-2012, 05:52 PM
339Tree Rats!!! Bigg un too!!!

leftinthedust
04-03-2012, 06:19 PM
Have been watching for these guys for a couple weeks. This afternoon was the first time I'd noticed them. Please excuse the lack of focus from my cheap camera.
377

AgentOrange
04-03-2012, 07:21 PM
378

That excites me. A couple weeks ---?

I am sending this great photo on to Dr Larry Barden, you know him. If you could narrow it to more than "a couple weeks" - thanks.

leftinthedust
04-03-2012, 08:37 PM
That excites me. A couple weeks ---?

I am sending this great photo on to Dr Larry Barden, you know him. If you could narrow it to more than "a couple weeks" - thanks.

Let me rephrase my post so that it is more easily understood.
I have been waiting for, and actively looking for, the hummingbirds to return to my yard for "a couple weeks." A couple means two.
Today is the first day that I have seen them at my feeders. Today, as in while I was eating lunch at 2:14 p.m. EDT near N34.8266 W80.6963. Is that narrow enough?

AgentOrange
04-03-2012, 09:03 PM
Grant, you know how anal I am.

I am a backyard birder. You don't know that bird crap about me, but you know how hard I would study and leave no stone unturned to beat you in a 5k. I hate that about me, but it is who I am.

When you put up "two weeks" back seeing these, I was crapped out. Now you came clean and my world has order. This is good fun!

Have you (or anyone) seen the Steve Martin bird movie?

The music video of the week is a bust. This week I will add in this great movie.

Still no HBs in my yard.

leftinthedust
04-04-2012, 08:50 AM
Grant, you know how anal I am.
...

When you put up "two weeks" back seeing these, I was crapped out. Now you came clean and my world has order.
...
Still no HBs in my yard.
AO, I am anal about some things, too. One of those things is when I write, or say, something and someone comes down on me like a prosecuting attorney for information that was there, but they did not read, or listen, well enough to see it. There was no, "coming clean." If you will re-read my post from 6:19 PM yesterday, you will see it said, I had "been watching for these guys for a couple weeks." It doesn't say I had been seeing them for a couple weeks. It says I had been on the lookout for them. That was followed by "this afternoon was the first time I'd noticed them." Which indicates I had not seen them before yesterday afternoon.

The HBs should be there anyday now. Keep the feeder filled.

AgentOrange
04-05-2012, 03:57 PM
I agree Grant. My aging brain is working poorly these days. I have no excuse.

leftinthedust
04-05-2012, 10:20 PM
Not that big of a deal. I probably violated some sort of rule by coming down on the host like that. Plus, my communication skills are lacking from my S.C. education. Everybody knows it's near the bottom.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
04-06-2012, 02:17 AM
Not that big of a deal. I probably violated some sort of rule by coming down on the host like that. Plus, my communication skills are lacking from my S.C. education. Everybody knows it's near the bottom.


I know for certain Bill has more respect for you standing up like that than if you just layed down and gave up....

AgentOrange
04-07-2012, 03:16 PM
I have a lot of respect for him. I never saw him give up, and I have seen him in great pain many times. He is one tough Ass Hole. If you want to play with Grant, bring your "A" game.

leftinthedust
04-07-2012, 10:13 PM
I have a lot of respect for him. I never saw him give up, and I have seen him in great pain many times. He is one tough Ass Hole. If you want to play with Grant, bring your "A" game.

Ha! Thanks Bill, you are too kind. I was never in the class of guys like you, Waldo, Steve or Dan. I seem to recall battling it out with Butch a time or two. But I never quit, and that turned out to be my undoing. Signed up for a 50-miler on the track back in '87 two months before going to Boston. My plan was to run 30 miles, or so, as a training run and then drop out. Got to 30 miles okay, but I couldn't drop out. Had never quit a race before and just couldn't make myself do it. I completed 50 miles, but my training base was not good enough for it. From that point on, I never ran as well as I had before.

AgentOrange
04-07-2012, 10:33 PM
Good fun !!

You talk about on a bad day you ran 50 miles instead of 30.
I get it. It is hard to recover from all out. As I remember, you did, and are just being modest here.

I ran many Marathons, but not many hard as the price was too high, not just physically, but the time it takes for the mind to recover enough to have another go at it.

George Sheehan has a paragraph on it some where that goes something like this-

"When I am in great shape and a friend comes by, I can go with him and do a hard 20 mile race. If it is a Marathon he wants from me, I have to decline until I can train."

Grant, you were at least in my class and above it.

AgentOrange
05-01-2012, 07:01 PM
Here are a couple backyard photos.

These are Cedar Waxwings in a Bald Cypress tree I planted ten years ago. It is just starting to put out leaves this year. My yard is full of berries and the Waxwings come for them and the garden ponds.

452

This a Hermit Thrush I just snapped. I have a couple of these here everyday each Winter, but have never seen one this late in the year. I keep trying to make it a misplaced Swanson Thrush due to the tail color (or lack of) but I guess that is wishful thinking. These birds Summer in the far North and is the state bird of Vermont.

453

simpleman
05-01-2012, 10:28 PM
Beautiful shots Bill.:applause:

AgentOrange
08-18-2012, 03:26 PM
Hummingbirds are buzzing me and the Beagle today. They are really going all out now. One feeder is about 2 foot from where her nose is resting, but they don't care.

647

648

TNRabbit R.I.P.
07-27-2013, 05:09 PM
I'm going to try to get this thread going again...look for pics from my backyard in the next few days~

TNRabbit R.I.P.
08-18-2013, 11:05 PM
Got a couple of videos from the past week.


This little guy would perch in the tree & chase off any other hummer that tried to feed--
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/th_20130801162945_zps3c927eb8.jpg (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/20130801162945_zps3c927eb8.mp4)

This one looked like a juvenile; can anyone confirm? Look closely how FAST he's breathing! I've read their resting heart rate is about 220 bpm--
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/th_20130818183535_zps22b5d7b5.jpg (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/20130818183535_zps22b5d7b5.mp4)

Chuck Farley
08-19-2013, 06:05 PM
AO, you've got new cats? Check out this'n.
1749

elgrau
08-20-2013, 12:48 PM
That's a beautiful cat/creature, Chuck. We have a semi-stray similar (but jet black with white markings) long haired beauty that we feed in our back yard as well. But I still prefer dogs over cats 'cause cats are just too damn independent...lol!

Chuck Farley
08-20-2013, 01:00 PM
Thanks elgrau. That cat (female named Jezebel) is a Maine Coon breed. I like dogs too. We've got a miniature Schnauzer that thinks he's human. I "ain't" crazy about big dogs though.

AgentOrange
08-20-2013, 03:17 PM
Nice looking cat Chuck. Most cats in this area are at least part Maine Coon I believe. It is a good thing as they like water.
I have two cats and two dogs. They all get along OK together now that Rosey is established at the top of the pecking order. I bring everyone in at dusk, but the rest of the time they are free to come and go. I have a door mat that chimes when one wants in.

The cats are rough and tumble. They believe their job is to murder anything that moves.
The male is quite large. He sits by me to watch TV and them goes to his bed in the bed room when I turn in. Both cats follow me around and believe I am a very interesting guy.
They fight like hell when bored, even in the middle of the night. They don't use teeth or claws, just practice killing each other. They race over furniture and slam into the walls. Rosey really wants to join in but refrains as long as I am around.

The male roams some, but not as much. Mostly they hang out in the drive or around the dock. I have made it a point to let my couple of neighbors know the cat is mine. People are kinda uneasy about me anyway around here :smiley_simmons: so I don't think they will bother him.

The cats have Iams hard cat food out all the time and they split a can of tuna every evening. I guess they eat better than me and Rosey. My plan is to keep them full so they don't kill my critters, but that is not 100% successful.

On the plus side, when they catch a critter, they tend to run inside with it and I have saved a few Chipmunks, lizards, and two rabbits.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-23-2013, 03:45 PM
Dug up & moved a satellite dish to the back yard today, converting it into a FREE bird feeder in the process:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152909_zpsff94abf8.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152909_zpsff94abf8.jpg.html)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152845_zps64bb0d14.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152845_zps64bb0d14.jpg.html)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152854_zps37ab1aa7.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152854_zps37ab1aa7.jpg.html)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152859_zps8a7be8c6.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around the House/Wildlife/20130923_152859_zps8a7be8c6.jpg.html)

I drilled holes in it to allow water to drain out of the bowl shape. It has safflower & sunflower seeds in it right now. I also hung a cheap suet feeder off the side.

Expecting a visitor before sunset today~

AgentOrange
09-23-2013, 04:44 PM
Exceptional idea.:applouse::applouse::applouse:
Actually, I have two old ones in the yard my Bride keeps on me to haul off.
I might convert one like you did. I'll paint it green and she will never know.

Chuck Farley
09-23-2013, 05:22 PM
That's a good idea. I also have a few taking up space in my workshop building.

AgentOrange
09-23-2013, 05:56 PM
As fun as recycling is, a dish might actually make a better bird bath than a feeder. Birds like shallow water, not those deep things. Also shallow baths are quick to clean. On a dish like that, the hose quickly washes out mosquito larve and leaves ample water behind to wash in. Of course you need to hose them every couple days which is why I have gravitated to pump fed water features.

In my experience, the best hopper style feeders are simple and cheap to make, very expensive to purchase.

Basically, make a square frame, stretch hard ware cloth over it and cover with screen wire. Secure it with some furring strips and you are done. On top of this great floor, let your needs and imagination rule.

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This make a flat surface birds can hop around on, but drains completely. Wet seed quickly becomes a wasted mess. I have tried it with out the screen wire, but ground birds like to hop and peck, not just cling and eat.

The dish as a feeder should also work well as it is easy to hose off. The down side is no roof and the need to put out smaller amounts of food often if one is really into feeding the birds.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-23-2013, 06:31 PM
I'm working on a roof.....

TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-25-2013, 07:46 PM
Pics & a video of the first visitors:

A mother squirrel cautiously approaching to gather a few sunflower seeds from the ground around the feeder:

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC05833_zps9ec71aa0.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC05833_zps9ec71aa0.jpg.html)

Click for video:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/th_20130925145340_zps8341466f.jpg (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/20130925145340_zps8341466f.mp4)

Male cardinal at dusk (female was on the ground):

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC05843_zps45fa3e58.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/DSC05843_zps45fa3e58.jpg.html)

AgentOrange
09-26-2013, 03:27 PM
I find Cardinals to usually be the last birds at the feeder, and the first in the morning.

AgentOrange
09-26-2013, 03:48 PM
Here is one taking a bath right now in the branch:
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TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-27-2013, 10:37 PM
More visitors today:

Adolescent squirrel:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC05857_zps7801b7e6.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/DSC05857_zps7801b7e6.jpg.html)

Crow:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC05847_zps0de832be.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/DSC05847_zps0de832be.jpg.html)

Mr & Mrs Cardinal were back:
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC05849_zpsc8ebbbb6.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/DSC05849_zpsc8ebbbb6.jpg.html)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC05851_zps32685166.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/DSC05851_zps32685166.jpg.html)

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/DSC05852_zpsc8f88c31.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around%20the%20House/DSC05852_zpsc8f88c31.jpg.html)

AgentOrange
09-28-2013, 09:24 AM
Good photos. That camcorder zoom does a good job.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-28-2013, 10:39 AM
Even more amazing because those were all taken through a cloudy window~

AgentOrange
09-28-2013, 01:58 PM
Just had this critter show up. I got a couple shots of it. At first glance, thinking Yellow-throated Viero:welcoming:, but maybe it is a Pine Warbler.
Time will tell.

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TOAD
09-28-2013, 11:18 PM
I had some feathered friends show up at the feeder today.
That is not unusual, The wild thing is that I snapped all these shots with my new smart phone, a Samsung Galaxy S4.
Not bad photos for a phone.
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TNRabbit R.I.P.
09-29-2013, 12:03 AM
Just had this critter show up. I got a couple shots of it. At first glance, thinking Yellow-throated Viero:welcoming:, but maybe it is a Pine Warbler.
Time will tell.

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Looks A LOT like a Pine Warbler:

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Yellow-throated Vireo...difficult to tell for sure:

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Yours doesn't appear to have the more yellow throat of the Vireo....but variations occur all throughout nature. That's a tough call.

AgentOrange
09-29-2013, 02:19 PM
Pine Warbler is often my favorite Winter bird. I get a few in every year and they "live" here near my chair eating suet. They get quite tame, and they have different looks, some larger, some with more yellow, some with less. They sort of replace all the Hummingbird activity for me.

I am also subject to get one in any time of year due to the mountains being close.

I have had the Viero here, but just could not study this bird enough to tell, have not seen it again. That is one of the reasons I put down the binos and try to get a photo if I can.

I once had a Red-eyed Viero. Identifying it was not a problem as it hit my window and died on the deck.

Birds that don't come to the feeder can be hard to ID, part of the fun I guess. In Summer they are in the leaves which fall in Winter and that helps a lot.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
10-01-2013, 01:15 AM
Wow; birds were WEARING OUT the feeder today! It was a free-for-all~

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around the House/Wildlife/DSC05878_zps7de04c33.jpg (http://s251.photobucket.com/user/TNRabbit/media/Around the House/Wildlife/DSC05878_zps7de04c33.jpg.html)

Video (edited out the boring patches of staring at birdseed)--this doesn't even show the craziness going on underneath on the ground~

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/th_Bird_Feeder_1_1__zps3ba5099b.jpg (http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/TNRabbit/Around%20the%20House/Wildlife/Bird_Feeder_1_1__zps3ba5099b.mp4)

AgentOrange
10-01-2013, 02:51 PM
That looks like a fun to watch feeder. Many birds prefer a hopper stye feeder they can jump around on.

You could even hang a tube style on the edge for the finches.
1941

TNRabbit R.I.P.
10-01-2013, 02:53 PM
I hung a suet feeder on the side, but as usual the tree rats stole it.

I'll get around to making the wooden one with holes like you make....eventually.

AgentOrange
10-03-2013, 08:48 PM
Warblers are hell. Most stay in the bushes and jump around a lot. You have to jump Today got a better view of the bird discussed above. The eye rings were there, so sure it is the Vireo. Maybe it was a different bird I saw today.
I also had a Common Yellow-throat show today.
Most Warblers drive bird watchers mad:dread:.
I don't walk/drive in search of birds, just look at the ones who show up near my porch chair.
I do use $2500 binos that make my HD TV look like muddy water. I am not not bragging about my gear, just saying how serious I am about this hobby, and that I have years experience at this. (sitting on the porch w/beer and no real life)
Unlike some of my birder peers, don't crap in my own records.

TOAD
05-01-2014, 10:02 AM
Yesterday I had a new visitor to my bird feeder.
I had never seen this little fellow before.
I'm thinking it is a Rose Breasted Grosbeak??

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Sorry about the picture quality. Of course just when a new bird shows up the battery in my camera is dead, so I used my cell phone ( Galaxy S4).

AgentOrange
05-01-2014, 03:04 PM
They pass through in Spring and Fall. The females and juveniles look very different. Look for that big fat (gross)beak.
Blue Grosbeak will be coming by also and some have stayed here over Summer living in a Sun Flower patch.
All Grosbeaks like Sunflower.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
05-10-2014, 08:02 AM
I finally got around to hanging my humming bird feeder this past week. I wondered how long it would take the hummers to find it as I've never seen one around here.....it took all of 2 minutes before one was eagerly feeding at it! Amazing....

Now it's empy...need to refill ASAP.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
06-11-2014, 02:19 PM
The hummers appear to have deserted my feeder; same thing happened to a friend down the street a couple of miles....what's up with the hummers this summer??

TNRabbit R.I.P.
06-11-2014, 06:59 PM
One showed up for a short while today & fed DURING a thunderstorm; crappy pic here:

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TOAD
06-13-2014, 09:24 AM
The hummers appear to have deserted my feeder; same thing happened to a friend down the street a couple of miles....what's up with the hummers this summer??

The hummers disappear from time to time from my feeders also.
I also see them back during, and just after rain storms.

I believe that as certain types of plants bloom the hummers may prefer them over the feeders. :suspicion:
Also it could be that a downpour would cause the blooms to close. Or if like mine, your feeder is under the eve of the house it is just out of the rain.

Maybe plants like honeysuckle are their version of home grown tomatoes.:love_heart:

They will return. :untroubled:

AgentOrange
06-14-2014, 08:06 PM
East of the big river we have the Ruby-throated hummingbird and most other types seen in these parts are lost:cower:. I have had a couple other types show up in Fall.

The Ruby comes to the USA to breed and defends a territory. That means they do not group up like Finches. Reasons for higher mortality in males may include loss of weight during the breeding season due to the high energetic demands of defending a territory. They lay two eggs and can nest twice in a Summer. The young are easy to spot at your feeder as some even have a hard time holding on to it, and I have seen them roll over backwards with feet still attached to perch.
This time of year Hbs also eat a lot of insects and spiders, not just nectar. They feed the young bugs as they need protein to develop just like all baby birds and mammals.

So by August the numbers at my/your feeders increases a lot. Also, in Spring and Fall you have the birds from the north stopping by to fuel. Then they need to fatten up a lot or die trying to migrate:crushed:. This time of year I cut back on my feeders to keep the food fresh. I just have about 4-8oz ones now and of course the "decoration" ones the bride gives me.

I change the water every Sunday morning as the heat can ferment it. A quart of sugar water costs pennies.

Toward Fall I will have to switch over to my quart feeders and buy sugar like a moonshiner to keep up with demand.:encouragement:

Right now I have about 4 birds, probably two pair from different areas of my place, but that will increase to a bunch as the young add to the numbers. Try putting a feeder far from the other hidden on different sides of your house to attract more pairs.
They are feisty little devils.:playful:

I have been through a lot of types of feeders as K gives them to me for gifts. By far the most popular here is the cheap plastic Perky Pet feeder. I have all types that are ignored for these. This Christmas I got a couple cool ones made from pint Mason jars in a copper hanger that are nice to look at, but like all of my styles, if one of these plastic Perky pet things is nearby, the others will be mostly ignored. The same is true for other styles, no matter how much people like theirs. Hang yours and one of these and see where they go. I don't like that, want then to enjoy my cut glass one, but -- :distracted:

http://www.amazon.com/Perky-Pet-Pinch-Waist-Hummingbird-Feeder-203CP/dp/B0006G51KC/ref=sr_1_3/190-5042268-1281723?ie=UTF8&qid=1402788279&sr=8-3&keywords=perky+pet+hummingbird

Here is the new model, I got two in for trial and it is much, much better for cleaning and filling:applouse:. Comes with a packet of food. Buy these. I will have all my old style changed over by next Spring.

http://www.amazon.com/Perky-Pet-203CPBN-Hummingbird-Feeder-Nectar/dp/B00GSQ6HXO/ref=dp_ob_title_garden

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Always buy feeders with places to land. HBs don't need that, but they will sit with you longer.
Hummers are some of the very few birds who actually benefit from human help to survive.

Toad is right about flowers. My place is mostly shade so I mostly buy red flowers like Inpatients, New Zealand Impatiens, and Begonias. I have some luck with Day Lillies. I have never seen a HB at my many Roses, but that means I just did not see them. RED is a preferred color. I have a few red baffles over my feeders to lure in migrants.


http://birding.about.com/od/Specific-Birds/tp/Top-10-Hummingbird-Flowers.htm

SteveK
06-14-2014, 10:20 PM
You mix plain sugar with water? What is the recipe?
Steve

AgentOrange
06-14-2014, 10:40 PM
You mix plain sugar with water? What is the recipe?
Steve

Experts say 4 to one. I cheat a little but have read too rich a mixture can be hard on their kidneys.
In Fall I do go closer to 3:1, but not 3:1.

They like red as a general color, but as my feeders are red, I color all my food with green for fun.
Color also retards Sunlight algae growth with is not harmful. Food coloring is not either these days.

I mix up a batch and store it in the fridge.
I change it every week in Summer and once a month in Winter.

SteveK
06-14-2014, 11:28 PM
4 to 1 what? 4 cups of sugar to 1 gallon of water.
Steve

AgentOrange
06-15-2014, 12:09 AM
4 to 1 what? 4 cups of sugar to 1 gallon of water.
Steve

I know you are messing with me, but as a post from you is rare, I am game :joyous:.
I will play. Glad to have you posting.:triumphant:

In grade school chemistry or home economics (neither taught these days), we learn 2:1 or 10:1 does not apply to volume but to ratio.

Obviously sugar is the low end as on the high end we would not have a liquid.
So as to 'cups' and 'gallons', it makes no difference.

For the people in Rio Linda, that means one cup of sugar to 4 cups of water and adjust as required.

SteveK
06-15-2014, 08:47 AM
Ok 1 to 4.

Third season without seeing a hummingbird. I've been using the red feed available at hardware stores. I want to try mixing my own.
Steve

AgentOrange
06-17-2014, 06:19 PM
Where do you live Steve?
If it is east of the Mississippi, you have just one species to attract, the Ruby Throat.

The best time to attract is the Spring.
Get out lots of red and do it early.

Maybe you can attract a few as they migrate by this Fall:triumphant:.
I actually keep one feeder up all Winter, just in case. That has come into play a few times in my yard.

Maybe some are sneaking in observed. A good place to put a feeder is out the kitchen window near the sink. I know most people don't sit out side as much as I do (92 degrees here right now), and so they can be missed.

This Spring put in some red flowers that bloom late March. Basically in middle March just go to Lowes or Home Depot and see what they have. Pots on the porch with them is easy to do.

I use these baffles to help add some red:
http://www.duncraft.com/Hummingbird-Weather-Baffle
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That is a steep price, but they will last for years as it is an epoxy red. I got a bunch cheap in a "lot sale" of different sizes and colors on ebay years ago when a business was closing.

SteveK
06-17-2014, 07:29 PM
I'm in southern NY state.

Wait until fall to put the feeder out? I will not get any birds visiting the feeder during the summer??
Steve

AgentOrange
06-17-2014, 07:45 PM
I'm in southern NY state.

Wait until fall to put the feeder out? I will not get any birds visiting the feeder during the summer??
Steve

No, no. like I said, I keep one out all year and add a dozen more in Spring.
There is every chance some will show for you this year:applouse:, and like I said, maybe they do and you missed them. This time of year they don't hang at feeders like they will in fall.

SteveK
06-18-2014, 10:08 AM
I put an order in for the feeder you recommended.
Steve

TOAD
07-18-2014, 05:29 PM
I had a new friend show up in my yard early this week.
He/She? has taken up residence under my shop building in the back yard. :cheerful:

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I know the photos are poor quality.
Sorry, they were taken from inside the house through both the window pane and storm glass. I also have shaky hands.

I include the second one only so you can get a sense of how small this rabbit is by using the dove that is just beside it for scale.

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AgentOrange
09-18-2014, 12:33 PM
Yesterday I had a new visitor to my bird feeder.
I had never seen this little fellow before.
I'm thinking it is a Rose Breasted Grosbeak??

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Sorry about the picture quality. Of course just when a new bird shows up the battery in my camera is dead, so I used my cell phone ( Galaxy S4).


Time to fill up the bird feeders I gave you.
That Rose-breasted Grosbeak will be coming by your house headed South any day. I have seen them here as early as now, but generally around first of October.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-01-2015, 12:50 PM
finally got some bird seed for the backyard. I picked up two 50 pound bags of black oil sunflower and safflower seeds.

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TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-01-2015, 12:55 PM
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Had a TON of visitors yesterday but no pics. Just took these a few minutes ago....

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-08-2015, 12:48 AM
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............

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-30-2015, 06:04 AM
Got a couple of Niger seed feeders out & the hummingbird feeder hung yesterday. Here's a 6 a.m. pic:

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The reflection is off the glass bottle of the hummer feeder....

TNRabbit R.I.P.
03-30-2015, 06:05 AM
*duplicate post*

TNRabbit R.I.P.
04-07-2015, 10:56 AM
Had a DIFFERENT visitor to the bird feeder today!

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AgentOrange
04-09-2015, 01:22 PM
Good fun !!
I bet she can eat some food.

I rarely have seen a deer in my yard. I see their tracks at the lake and often see them when I am on the road.
I guess they mainly visit after dark.

TNRabbit R.I.P.
07-10-2015, 11:15 PM
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...........

Rorschach
07-11-2015, 09:15 AM
not a bird -- maybe a horse fly

TOAD
07-22-2015, 01:56 PM
I don't have any snakes in my yard, but I do have a problem with some other critters that AO has issues with.

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These busy little fellows are probably from hives on the farm just up the road.

I sprayed them down with water and put a smear of petroleum jelly around the join where the feeder snaps apart for cleaning.
I didn't see any leakage, but this is the area the bees were attracted to, not the flower openings.

***:bee:*No bees were harmed for the making of this post :bee:***

This appears to be working, and that is a good thing as the hummingbird wars have started.:excitement:
I have a very large charm of hummers doing aerial acrobatics around my feeders at this time.:adoration::hypnotysed:

I'm also having a huge chattering of starlings that descend on my watering station every morning for a bath.:chargrined:
I know that's what bird baths are for, but when this large scourge arrives their numbers are such that it looks like the leaves are falling from the trees. They are large messy birds and I have to clean out all the birdbaths every time after they visit.:disgust:
At least they are too big for my feeders, my guess is that they are raiding that poor farmers millet field.

Rorschach
07-25-2015, 10:04 AM
bee careful:eek-new:

TOAD
08-20-2015, 10:07 AM
AO sent me this swell new bird feeder / water station for my birthday.
The wife fell in love with it, and wanted me to hang it on the edge of the back porch.


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Looks like even the trees approve.
Thanks, Bill.

Fenders
08-20-2015, 11:17 AM
That is one good looking tree. I believe I am getting a woody!

AgentOrange
11-20-2015, 03:46 PM
Red-winged Blackbird in the yard today:cheerful:. I see one here a couple times a year.

AgentOrange
11-20-2015, 04:24 PM
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I do like my squirrels, but they don't like the cats.

TOR
12-27-2015, 11:04 PM
I just recently set up a new bird feeding station in my back yard and will be taking some pics of them (I hope). I'm not quite sure of how to post photos in here so fill me in if you don't mind. Didn't know if I could post them directly or if I might need to upload them somewhere else and point to them here.

I've got some backyard bird photos from last year on my Flickr account...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/128568283@N08/albums/72157650310287160

I think about half of those are from my backyard and others from Rankin Lake in Gastonia and a few from the coast.

TOAD
04-18-2016, 11:10 AM
Check out this great Audubon site.
http://www.audubon.org/bird-guide?s_src=2015-09_CRIad_Google-Grant&gclid=CKLSt7SvmMwCFVQ2gQodBa0ATA

This is a great site for bird identification and it has several actual recordings of the various calls each bird makes.
I was playing around with my cat and playing the calls from local birds and watching her hunt for them.
When I started playing the Carolina Wren songs, I had one in the yard start to answer and actually lit on the windowsill.
:Super

AO, if you want to find out if a particular bird is hiding in your backyard bird sanctuary just crank up the speakers in the catbird seat and see if you can get a reply.:encouragement:

AgentOrange
04-18-2016, 02:00 PM
Thanks Toad.

I have the Audibon Bird Guide which is different from Peterson and Sibley as it uses real photos. There are a few excellent sites on line.
I have twice been gifted devices that call to birds by inserting cards. That can be fun this time of year. Birds don't just make one sound. Most cann make different calls depending on the message. Of course many birds are also excellent mimics.
Elgra's daughter even sent me a bird caller. You can also suck and kiss on your wrist to make a sound and "phish".

I have a couple friends who are into bird calls - the Bardens. She does design work for magazines and plays bird calls for herself as she works on her computer. You can buy recording for this like for learning a foreign language. I have been out with them a few times and I have to admit, she is very good at it. He is too, but not like her. He got me into birding and was one of my foot racing peers. He once held the over 40 record for the mile and later the over 50 record for 8K in NC. He is a bird expert and is a professor at UNCC.

Here is another fun site:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/merlin-bird-id-by-cornell/id773457673?mt=8

If you have a photo, they will use it ID a bird for you. Cornell is one of the best places in the World for bird crap.

Rorschach
04-18-2016, 02:11 PM
i snapped this byrd in my yard what is it ?

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