Sunday, October 31, 2010

A 'Nutty' Kind of Day...

After a day of chores at the BirdMobile, removing and cleaning window screens and installing the storm window to prepare for (ick)winter, we took time for the birds. We've always had good luck at Northwood Nature Trails Park, in Northwood, Ohio. It's not far from Magee Marsh, aka "Heaven on Earth" and we needed a little change.

It started off a bit on the slow side...one White-breasted Nuthatch at the top of a tall oak. Then we spotted a Red-bellied Woodpecker...at the top of a tall oak. Then there was a Blue Jay, you guessed it...at the top of a tall oak. At last we came out into the pine area...and we heard these strange little beeping sounds...Red-breasted Nuthatches! Dozens of them! They were zooming in and out all around us. Doodles was pointing at one, "It's right there in front of me!" Meanwhile I was aimed in the opposite direction... I managed to get a few before they zoomed off to another more delicious looking pine cone, beeping all the way...

This is what the majority of my pics look like...

This little bundle of buzz was busy trying to extricate lunch and ignored me.

He was so proud of himself!
"Hey Mister! Look what I got!"


I don't know what they are, but they looked good!
I asked the Doodles to try one...she politely declined...

There's still a few autumn leaves on the trees.

Dark-eyed Juncos remind me of snowy winters here.
The temps have gone done to the thirties a few times, but no snow...yet...


The pines were full of activity today, from the Nuthatches to many of these Downy Woodpeckers.
There's plenty to eat for everyone!


The Doodles even got a photo of this Deere running through the farm field next to the park!

The only thing faster than the Nuthatch was this Golden-crowned Kinglet!

I caught him before he dived back in to the "lunch tree."

Here's a group of Mallards holding a secret meeting in the "Pond of Silence."

The Milkweed pods have popped and the seeds are spreading.

A little, tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet playing peek-a-boo!

You can always count on a White-throated Sparrow to pop out when you pish in the shrubs...

The wrong end of a Red-breasted Nuthatch!

*Editorial Comment:
Three Billion Dollars. That's how much money has been wasted on political ads so far this year. Most of it came from big, 'un-named' corporations. Funny how they can't afford to hire anyone because business is bad, but they have the cash to insure their buddies get into office and help to remove regulations designed to protect our citizens. I just don't understand the logic.

The Conservatives are blaming our current situation on the Liberals and vowing to block any bills they bring up. I would like the Conservative politicians to explain how that logic is going to help America rebuild.

I'm going back into the woods to be with the birds...they don't have TV ads...

7 comments:

  1. Love all these shots, but esp. the milkweed...beautiful! as for politics? The man with the thickest wallet is frequently the one to watch...very carefully. And I don't mean that in a good way. Meet ya in the woods...go left.

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  2. I see that you believe in the forest, its best out of it. I think that you are right. Beautiful pictures.

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  3. Thanks Susan...yep, way left!

    Thank you Angad!

    Bob, I think if more folks spent a little more time in the forest we would all be much better off!
    Thanks!

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  4. ...I would love to have been in a pine forest surrounded by Red-breasted Nuthatches. We don't get to see that many around here, and I always love it when I do.

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  5. Hi Dave,
    I've stopped to listen to politicians a long time ago... but still observe them thought!! Well guess what, I prefer to stay in the forest like you... You got a pretty good number of shots in your post, and I love the kinglet ones, but the nuthatch are superb!

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  6. Hi Peanut! I think this will be a big Red-breasted Nuthatch season. Maybe a few will wander south just for you!

    Chris, with all the morons on TV, it's hard not to hear their nonsense. So, off with the TV and out into the woods! Thanks!

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