Birds Of Belle Hill

Outside my kitchen window is a bird feeder. Being out in the middle of acres and acres of wooded land I noticed quite a variety of birds that seem to come and go with the seasons. Some easily recognizable while I had no idea what some of the others were. I started photographing them in an attempt to identify just what some of these little guys were. Patrick bought me a bird book for my birthday last year that has helped enormously.

In addition to the birds that were regular visitors at the feeder, I would always see large soaring birds swooping and circling over the trees. These big guys were not attracted to the feeder and I needed to find a way to bring them in closer to get a better look. So when Wayne Vogt who lives in the guesthouse called and told me he’d shot a wounded deer down in the woods I had him bring it up and put it in my yard out in front of the kitchen windows. Not exactly something you could do in a neighborhood, but it worked.

All of these photos were taken right outside my kitchen window.
                                                                           

American Crow

American Goldfinch Female

American Goldfinch Male

Blue Grosbeaks

Carolina Chickadees

Chipping Sparrow

Bronze Grackle

Common Grackles

Common Grackle Juvenile

Black Vultures

This was a bit odd. During the frenzy of Vultures that descended on the deer I noticed these two in an apparent stand off. I watched as each raised one wing, put one foot forward and appeared to bow

Then they stood up and went at it. Just a coincidence, or is there some kind of honor among  Buzzards?

Cardinal Female

Cardinal Male

Brown Headed Cowbird pair

House Finch pair (Which one do you think is in charge in this family?)

Blue Jays (The hams of the hill)

Eastern Towhee Male 

 

Eastern Towhee Female

 

European Starling

Northern Mockingbird

This crazy Mockingbird got into a fight with his reflection in the windshield of Patrick’s car and continued attacking it for hours.

Red-Winged Blackbird Female

Red-Winged Blackbird Male

Rose Breasted Grosbeak Female

Rose Breasted Grosbeak Male

Song Sparrow

White Throated Sparrow

Red-Shouldered Hawk

Robin

Red-Bellied Woodpecker Male and Female

Pileated Woodpecker

Northern Flicker

Hairy Woodpecker Female

Northern Harrier

Junco

Tufted Titmouse

Turkey Vulture

 Summer Tanager Male

White-Breasted Nuthatch

 With spring on the way there is no telling what else may show up at Belle Hill, so I’ll keep an eye on the feeder for any new comers.