Making a Splash
💦 Loving the backyard bird activity today. 🐦 🚿
Author: Jason
Weightlifting Wren
Looks like this little Carolina Wren is really hitting the gym! Those peanuts aren’t just snacks; they’re clearly part of his intense weight-lifting routine. Get those gains, little buddy! 💪🥜
Pollinator Pot
Finally planted some flowers in my pollinator pot. I think it looks pretty with my Birdbuddy bird bath. (Too bad the bird bath has been discontinued.)
Advanced Technology
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” ~Clarke’s Third Law
That Tongue
“I said I wanted the extra-nutty blend, not the raisin variety! 👅 Seriously though, when the suet is this good, you have to taste every single crumb. No crumbs left behind!”
Why the tongue?
In this shot, it actually looks like the bird has a small piece of suet or a seed right on the tip of its tongue! Mockingbirds have slightly frayed, “brush-like” tips on their tongues that help them nectar-feed or manipulate small bits of food. It also just happens to be a perfect “blep” moment for the camera.
Spring Bath
Spring Has Sprung
Spring has officially arrived, and this little bluebird is making sure I know it. There’s something so hopeful about seeing that flash of blue and orange for the first time after a long winter. He seems pretty curious about the camera—or maybe he’s just checking the snack situation! 🐦🌷
A splash of sky, a warm embrace,
He brings the joy of sunny days.
With russet breast and sapphire crown,
He signals winter’s upside-down.
A herald small with much to bring,
Our first, most welcome bird of spring.
Morning Wren Visit
This Carolina Wren stopped by for breakfast and a yoga session.
Extended Warranty
“I’ve been trying to reach you about your bird feeder’s extended warranty!”
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day
Dinner Date
The best dinner date in town. 🍽️ These mourning doves stopped by for the sunset buffet. No reservations required. 🕊️🕊️
Serenade
This Carolina Wren is serenading the neighborhood after eating WBU suet! Clearly, it’s a five-star dining experience that deserves a full concert. 🐦🎶
Rare Peace
A rare moment of peaceful co-existence with these two! Their expressions are priceless. So glad I caught them together like this! ❤️
Heads up, hearts down! 🕊️
There’s something so peaceful about watching a Mourning Dove take a moment for a snack. While most birds are busy doing acrobatics on hanging feeders, these gentle souls are the ultimate “low-key” diners.
As natural ground feeders, they prefer to keep things down-to-earth—literally! I set this tray up nice and low to the ground to match their natural foraging style, and it looks like the menu is getting a five-star review.
Why the Ground Tray?
- Natural Instincts: In the wild, they scour the forest floor for seeds.
- Stability: Doves aren’t the most agile “clutchers,” so a flat surface makes them feel right at home.
- Variety: Lower trays often attract unique species that you won’t see at your standard hopper.
Feeder Karen
Excuse me, I’d like to speak to the manager immediately. This suet-to-seed ratio is completely unacceptable, and I specifically requested the premium mealworms. 😠🐦
First Birdie
This Carolina Wren officially claimed the first bird spot at the new tray feeder. I love how these little guys have such big personalities (and even bigger voices). Based on that look, I think the seed selection has been approved! 🐦✨
Popular Hangout
Looks like it was a popular spot! So much activity at the feeder with these beautiful American Goldfinches. Love watching my feathered friends enjoy their meal! 🐦💛
A Splash of Red
What a vibrant splash of red! ❤️ Northern Cardinals always brighten the day. Did you know female cardinals sing too? Such beautiful birds!
Checking Out the Neighborhood
Zillow said this place had great ‘curb appeal,’ but we’re thinking it needs a little more… foliage? 🏠🐦
Looks like this Northern Cardinal pair is scouting out the neighborhood. While they usually prefer a cozy thicket over a traditional birdhouse, you can’t blame them for checking out the local real estate!
While that rustic red birdhouse makes for a stunning photograph, it won’t be hosting a cardinal family anytime soon. Northern Cardinals are famously picky about their real estate and strictly avoid enclosed birdhouses.
Unlike bluebirds or wrens that seek out cavities, cardinals are open-cup nesters that prefer the breezy security of a dense thicket or a sturdy evergreen branch. They thrive in the hidden forks of shrubs and small trees where they have a clear view of approaching threats while remaining tucked away under a canopy of leaves.
If you see a pair lingering around a wooden house like the one in your photo, they are almost certainly just treating it as a convenient snack bar rather than a nursery. To truly encourage a brood to settle in your yard, you are better off providing thick cover like dogwoods or hollies which offer the structural support and privacy they crave for their nests.
A typical Cardinal nest looks like this.
Narcissus Is Back
Looks like Narcissus is at it again, having a staring contest with his biggest fan! He just can’t get enough of that handsome bird in the mirror. 😉
Why do Cardinals peck at mirrors?
Male cardinals are very territorial, especially during breeding season. When they see their reflection in a mirror, like the one on this car, they perceive it as another male cardinal encroaching on their territory. They’ll peck at it aggressively to try and chase off what they think is a rival bird. It’s their instinct to protect their space!