Posts in Category: back deck feeding station
Maine! Carolina Song
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — There is nothing quite like the song of the Carolina Wren. It is certainly enough to pierce any amount of lingering gloom, and let the sunshine in. This one was singing around the yard the other day, possibly looking for a nesting site. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Carolina on my mind
Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — I thought for a while that a pair of Carolina Wrens were going to build a nest under our back deck, but apparently not. They are around most days at least a few times for mealworms, and are often singing from the maples above the house or from the peaks of the shed roofs next door on both sides. Such a cheerful, busy little bird. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm plus the digital tel-converter for a 1600mm equivalent field of view. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Close encounter of the Red Squirrel kind
Red Squirrel: Back deck, Kennebunk, Maine, USA, April 2024 — As I have mentioned before, this Red Squirrel does not live in our yard. I suspect it actually lives in the forest along the railroad tracks several suburban lots away, but it comes to visit occasionally, to see what it can find on our back deck under the bird feeders. It is particularly fond of whatever mealworm fragments the birds have left behind. It has been, in past, quite shy, but this week it appeared quickly and then disappeared over the edge of the deck while I was watching, so I went to get my camera and went out to see if it was still in the yard. As I stood on the deck I saw it creep back up under the railings at one corner, not 3 feet from where I was standing. But instead of running off, it came up on the deck, then onto the rail to challenge me. I was clearly in the way of what it wanted to do, and it was having none of that. It was certainly not intimidated by me and my camera at all. I had to step back and zoom out to get it in frame. Lots of tail whipping and feet stamping going on, and if looks could kill. I took a lot of photos. It eventually came even closer, almost between my feet, too close for the zoom even at the widest end, and I slipped back inside so it could have the run of the deck and find its mealworm bits. Close encounters of the Red Squirrel kind. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 200-400mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications (no need to switch to animal mode for squirrels). Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Pine at last
Pine Warbler: York County, Maine, USA, April 2024 — I am skipping over lots of good photos and good birds to being you this breaking news bird from the backyard. We have been seeing the Pine Warbler for a few days now, but these are the first photos of this year. It came to deck early in the morning, but then I did not see it all day long (and I looked). It only returned to the yard as the light was failing and as we were sitting down to dinner. I went out and stood on the deck and it continued to come in for mealworms and to pose nicely in the branches above. It was not much bothered byu me, but after enough shots I went back in so it could feel totally save about stealing our mealworms. One of my favorite warblers, and not just because it is generally the first one in the yard in the spring, and one of the few we actually get in the yard at any time. 🙂 OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom bird modifications. Processed in Photomator and Apple Photos.
Maine! Bluebird in the snow
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, March 2024 — Nothing like a March snowstorm to bring the birds close in to the feeders. Our Bluebirds and chickadees and nuthatches and titmice and woodpeckers (both Hairy and Downy) are with us every day (just about) but yesterday, as the snow and then freezing rain fell, they were with us all day…never going further from the feeders than the overhanging branches. There were also the five or six bullying Robins that seem to be laying claim to our back yard, a few Mourning Doves, a Carolina Wren and a large mixed flock of black birds that passed through and did their best to empty the seed feeders under the pines while I was warming supper…mostly Brown-headed Cowbirds but some Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings as well. This Bluebird does not look very happy, up there with the snow on the branches and the brave first maple buds for contrast. My camera got very wet and so did I getting this shot…but no harm done. OM System OM-1Mkii with M.Zuiko 100-400IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Snow birds
Eastern Bluebird: Carolina Wren: York County, Maine, USA, January 2024 — Before it slips totally into long-term memory, here are a couple of mandatory bird shots from Sunday’s snow storm. Unlike many in Maine, we have had our regular birds at the feeders through the late fall and early winter, so we were not surprised to see a flurry of activity as the snow fell. The Carolina Wren has been an occasional visitor for the past year, and must be nesting in the area, and we had 7 Bluebirds at the same time around our mealworm feeder…as well as the Titmice, Gold and House finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and both Downy and Hariy Woodpeckers. The Red-bellied even put in a brief appearance, along with a pair of Mourning Doves. We even have one lonely Chipping Sparrow still hanging out with the mixed flock. So, yes, busy feeders. And, of course, there is nothing like a bird in the snow shot to warm the winter heart. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! House Finch at home
House Finch: Kennebunk, York County, Maine, USA, November 2023 — The House Finch is not my favorite finch, but there is no denying that this is a handsome bird, perched up, posing in your backyard. And I do appreciate its subtle touch of color. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Tufty
Tufted Titmouse: Kennebunk, York County, Maine, USA, November 2023 — Another back yard bird, and a regular at our feeders all year long. Perky, cheerful, intense little birds. Always a joy to see, and nice to catch away from the feeders. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Monday bonus
Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, November 2023 — because I am getting ahead of myself already this month, unexpectedly since November is often a slow photo month as changing weather and hunting season keep me close to home, here is a Monday morning bonus bird. A bright male Cardinal from our back deck feeding station. Too good not to share! OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm zoom at 552mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Maine! Bluebird in autumn
Eastern Bluebird: York County, Maine, USA, October 2023 — We have 5 Bluebirds coming to our back deck feeders this week…our nesting pair, and three of this year’s young. They will be with us most of the winter, as long as the mealworms don’t run out. 🙂 Though the light was not great early in the morning on a cloudy day, catching the Bluebirds against the changing foliage is always a treat. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro. ISO 16000. 🙂