There is a poem:

10/24
Late in the afternoon, cloudy
day light already failing fast,
I had just finished cleaning up
from making oat milk, and,
while I was at it in the sink,
getting the french press ready
for tomorrow, and emptying
the sink drain strainer outside
among the plants (they love
the mix of coffee grounds and
oat mash) when I glanced,
in passing, out the deck doors
at the feeders. I suppose some
flurry of activity caught the
corner of my eye. The feeders
and all the perches we have
provided, were covered with
small birds…Pine Siskins as
I looked closer. I counted as
they flew off…20 at least…
a veritable hoard of siskins…
or since they are allied with
the finches, perhaps a “charm”
or a “company” or a “trembling”
(all collective nouns for finches)
of fine featured Pine Siskins.
Three hung around at the
thistle feeder long enough
for me to get a photo or two,
despite the light. The photos
will be nothing much to boast
of but enough to seal the
memory of the afternoon we
were invaded by a trembling
of the Pine Siskins, 20 strong.

Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

White-throated Sparrow, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — We had White-throated Sparrows foraging under our feeders under the big pines for several weeks this spring on their way north, and I saw the first of the returning White-throats yesterday. They are skulkers at the best of times, though in spring they got bold enough to come out where I could see them at least on occasion. This season they are still in deep skulking mode. I don’t know how long we will have them to enjoy on their way south, but I certainly enjoyed watching them yesterday. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

Tufted Titmouse, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — The Tufted Titmice have remained active at the feeders since early this fall. We have a very distinct pair…the male being partially melanistic with a brownish, dark grey chest. The chick from this year is still hanging out with the parents. I think this might be the chick, as it was the only one that ever showed any interest in my water pump water feature. It was one of the few birds which learned to drink at the fountain. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

White-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — We have, of course, more chickadees coming to our feeders than nuthatches, but the nuthatches are just as faithful. They are there everyday, many times a day, and always fun to watch. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

White-breasted Nuthatch, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — from my latest session in the chair blind by the feeders under the pines. Nuthatches are always such determined looking birds. This one is a bit fluffed in the chilly September weather we are having. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.

Black-capped Chickadee, Kennebunk, Maine, USA — Somedays this time of year there are only Chickadees at the feeders…other days we have Titmice, Nuthatches, and Chipping Sparrows…and the Downy Woodpeckers are always around. Of course, when there are only chickadees it is only a matter of patience before one will do something interesting enough for a photograph. 🙂 Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Polarr and Apple Photos.