When the pileated woodpeckers visit the backyard buffet, they are mostly ignored by the other birds. Despite their size and fearsome-looking beak, they don't seem to be feared, but they are certainly not included in the community activities. They operate solo! The pileated pictured here is a male who is interested in food, but isn't …
Return of the bluebirds
Way back in mid-winter, a little flock of Eastern Bluebirds vacationed for a week in our backyard buffet. I was totally surprised because, although bluebirds do winter over in northeast Ohio, none had ever done so in our neighborhood. Sadly, after delighting us for a week, they were suddenly gone, and we haven't seen them for …
I never would have seen…
I really wouldn't have noticed the little red-bellied woodpecker peering out from its nesting hole, but another, sharper-eyed photographer had located the nesting hole high up in a tree in the middle of the bog. He pointed it out as we walked past the tree a few days ago. So I have Randy to thank for …
He’s still here, and guess what…
...He's not alone! He brought a friend. Yesterday morning I heard the distinctive call the pileated woodpecker makes when he swoops in for a landing at the backyard buffet. So of course I picked up my camera and headed for my post at the kitchen window (It actually makes a good bird shooting blind, although I do …
Hawk incursion!
A few minutes ago, while I was in the Back Yard Buffet, refilling the water bowl and keeping an eye on Gulliver as he wandered around the yard, a small hawk zoomed into the Buffet. It paused very briefly right in front of me as I stood near the brush pile, but thankfully didn't linger. …
First snowfall
Put together the first snowfall of the season with blustery wind and very cold temperatures. Then throw in a brand new brush pile that the birds are absolutely loving, and suddenly you have open house at the Bird Buffet. The juncos, mourning doves, blue jays, sparrows, titmice, chickadees, and more all spent an exciting day …
Back to the birds
If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you are probably aware that one of my favorite photo subjects is birds. Not extraordinary birds, just those that show up at our feeders or along the trail in the park. For the last several months I have only posted birds occasionally because I have been too …
My new photo walking assistant
When I set out on my photowalk this morning, my dog Gulliver was with me. Gulliver is almost 13 years old, and, as happens with age, he is slowing down, but he still enjoys his daily walk in the park. Usually my husband is in charge of dog walking, but today, I hooked the leash …
SEEN ALONG THE TRAIL 