With the winter storm approaching this weekend, I have every intention of spending as much time outdoors with my camera as possible. My bird feeders typically get mobbed on very cold days, especially when there’s snow and ice, and I would love to capture some of the action.
I am also going out to pick up some extra seed and suet this afternoon. Bird feeding becomes a bit more challenging in inclement weather. Chief among those challenges is preventing water sources, and sometimes even seed, from freezing.
That said, I look forward to the increased traffic at my feeders this weekend. And I hope you enjoy this collection of photographs.
Carolina WrenWhite-throated SparrowEastern Bluebird (male)Northern Cardinal (male)Tufted TitmouseRed-shouldered Hawk (immature)Chipping SparrowMourning DovePurple Finch (male)Purple Finch (female)Eastern Bluebird (female)Red-bellied Woodpecker (female)Carolina WrenPine Warbler (male)Yellow-rumped WarblerRuby-crowned KingletDowny Woodpecker (male)Tufted TitmouseMourning DoveNorthern Cardinal (female)Red-shouldered Hawk (immature)Eastern Bluebird (female)Purple Finch (male) and an Eastern Bluebird (male) in the backgroundLeft to right: Purple Finch (female), Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler (male), Eastern Bluebird (male). It’s worth noting that I put a seed mix (various kinds of sunflower seeds and safflower seed), along with split peanuts, in-shell peanuts, white millet, corn, mealworms, and occasionally suet nuggets in this particular tray feeder to attact a wide variety of birds. In this photo, the finch is eating predominantly sunflower seeds; the sparrow is there for millet and seed; the Pine Warbler typically takes mealworms and suet; and the bluebird almost exclusively takes mealworms.Carolina WrenPurple Finch (female)Eastern BluebirdsPurple FinchesTufted TitmouseYellow-rumped WarblerCarolina WrenDark-eyed Junco
Thanks, Lisa! No, I hardly ever use a tripod. I like to move around too much. I typically either stabilize the camera on a flat surface, like the railing on my deck, or I just hold my elbows in really close to my body.
From that one feeder, I don’t. My main feeding station has 5 feeders of different styles that all hang from one central pole, and I have a mammal guard on that one. But the little natural wood tray in these photos is in a separate spot. I don’t put too much food in there and just let the squirrels nibble at it. As long as they don’t get into my main feeders, I’m ok with it. Also, larger birds like doves and jays seem to like the trays because they accommodate them easier than my smaller feeders do.
Yeah, that makes sense. Some doves squeeze themselves onto my small feeders, even though they can fit on the larger trays. Not sure why, but it’s cute to watch.
The Used Life 
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