With the season change comes new, but familiar visitors to the yard.
The Common Grackle comes in hoards from the south.
There were 40 or more in the yard this morning.
The European Starlings make an appearance in large numbers.
They are present year round, but rarely venture into our area until early spring.
Many feeder regulars will stop showing up frequently.
The Black-capped Chickadee is also a year rounder,
but we see less of them as the weather becomes warmer.
The Dark-eyed Juncos will soon fly further north for the summer,
and won't be seen again until late fall.
and won't be seen again until late fall.
The ever present Black (and Grey) Squirrels continue to come for the goodies.
This guy is moulting.
sharing with...
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scruffy looking fellow! love your birds! beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteAh, your birds are SO beautiful -- and so are your captures of them!! You are the best!! Love that mangy looking little squirrel!! He does need a new coat for sure!! Hope you have a great new week, Karen!!
ReplyDeleteShiny feathers, like our starlings. and his coat will moult totally soon, thinner for the hot summer. He is lovely.
ReplyDeleteGlorious sheen on that Grackle. Starlings have come back to our feeders but only in very limited numbers.
ReplyDeleteWhen viewed in the right light, a Common Grackle is about as uncommon as it gets!
ReplyDeleteI think the squirrels must be a bit cold today since they all seem to be in the same state of disrepair!
ReplyDeleteLove your birds - but my heart goes out to your mouldy moulter.
ReplyDeleteNice bird shots! That poor squirrel looks like he's had a rough day.
ReplyDeleteThe Grackle looks like a very spectacular bird, but I feel sorry for that poor squirrel.
ReplyDeletenice photos! I love the grackle! one of my favorite birds!
ReplyDeleteWow he sure is, he looks road worn! My birds around here this morning were singing a mean tune, they didn't like our 10 inches of snow any more than I did!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see old friends visiting and oh that squirrel looks like he had a rough winter.
ReplyDeleteThe squirrel looks worst for wear with his fur. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThe iridescence of the grackle's feathers is quite special.
ReplyDeletelove the brilliant colors you have captured so well in this grackle! Lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteMarvellous.
ReplyDeleteThese birds are amazing! The first ones shimmering colors are fascinating!Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteA great variety of creatures - bird and squirrels - visiting your feeder. I especially like the little black-capped Chickadee. Your photos all show beautiful detail.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! love how the colors of the darker birds show up in photos that seem to be missed by the naked eye. have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteI love the prisms of color in the grackles' feathers!
ReplyDeleteOf course, the birds are super, but that image of the squirrel is phenomenal. I've never seen a molting squirrel before.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos - so crisp! So my juncos will probably be leaving as well. I've enjoyed their stay.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of the best birds you have taken. The Squirrel is moulting, poor thing.
ReplyDeleteLovley birds ,Nette
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I have the same flocks of spring visitors plus a huge flock of male redwing blackbirds (the females show up in a few weeks). They showed up last week and then it snowed again and it is cold again. I always feel for the birds when it gets like this. Our Chicadees tough it out here through the summer even though they have to contend with the bully birds. They don't seem to be intimidated by them. Great pictures, Karen ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Fun that you get to see the seasonal changes right there at home. Although your yard and feeders are as good as a lot of nature parks! Wonderful portraits of all the birds... and well, the squirrel isn't quite as gorgeous as they usuallly are, but 'tis the season. And I can still see his personality shining through.
ReplyDeleteI rather like the grackles Karen. I know they don't get the best press in Canada but their iridescent plumage when seen well is just beautiful. The Starling too is somewhat underrated but your chickadee pictures really stands out today.
ReplyDeleteI have tried numerous times to post the following comment. I see no evidence of it. So for the last time:
ReplyDeleteKaren's Haven. That must be what the birds decided among themselves you have to show up with such regularity and in such numbers,
Beautiful photos. That little Chickadee is just adorable.
ReplyDeleteLoved all the photos especially the cute little dee..I have grackles here too..loud along with the red-wings..Michelle
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! - Even the scrappy guy going through a molt... :)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI rather like that the different varieties come and go with the seasons. A chance of getting to know each a little better.
Egrets bird shots but that Squirrel looks pretty scruffy.
ReplyDeleteI've never noticed that starlings have spots? I suppose I've not seen them close up. None come to our feeders. We have finches, sparrows, wrens, nuthatches, cardinals, bluebirds, titmice, and a variety of woodpeckers.
ReplyDeletePlease come share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/03/springtime-at-last.html
Wonderful pics! Love the grackle "pose" :) you caught that spring sunlight on all the birds plumage beautifully and your squirrel is sure having a bad hair day!! :) excellent work, well done!! *VBSi*
ReplyDeleteI love to see the birds as they come south! Squirrel looks rough
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the birds and squirrels. Your shots are always so clear and capture the details of the animals.
ReplyDeleteThe birds look great but... that is one ugly squirrel!
ReplyDeleteThat poor squirrel losing fur when the weather is so changeable!
ReplyDeleteThe metallic-looking colours on the plumage of the Grackle are stunning, and that fluffy Chickadee is so cute. Thanks for sharing, Karen. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello Karen, gorgeous collection of images and birds.. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteTerrific series of photographs to underscore that Spring is here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Love the metallic blue in the tea dog the grackle - looks like that squirrel will suffer a bit if there are any late frosts!
ReplyDeletecheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
You have a yard full of pretty birds. That poor squirrel looks like he's had one too many Saturday nights on the town. LOL! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou have very pretty visitors. I bet they are so glad to find what you've got to offer.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know the squirrel is molting--I thought something was wrong with the poor thing. Even though the Grackle is considered a pest by most, I think they are beautiful, especially when captured in the right light, as your photo proves. Very nice set!
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