I used to know “spring” by the flowers. Up come the crocus and then the daffodils. Suddenly there are dozens of Solomon’s Seal and a few lilacs get enough sunlight to flower. It must be spring!
Two bluebirds
The trees get a covering of pink buds, especially the maples. The oak trees are slower. We have a couple of struggling azaleas that never get enough sun to do more than casually bloom a little bit.
Still, all this greenery says “spring” to me.
Not this year. This time around, it’s the color of the feathers of the birds. This is the time of year when birds go into their breeding seasons. Birds don’t just breed once per season.
Getting more yellow every day
Square Goldfinches
And two more
Many of them, especially the little guys like Chickadees and all the Finches will breed many times between now and November. They are not only the most daring flyers, but they have sex in the air. Whoopee! Now that’s the way to go!
A very red Finch
Chickadee and one of the red finches
I want to mention that Garry and I saw a really huge Red-Bellied Woodpecker on a feeder — briefly — this morning. He was easily twice the size of the usual Red-Bellies we see around here. Good food? Trees with excellent bugs? Both?
Eating well! And what a beak!
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Categories: #Birds, #Photography, Marilyn Armstrong, Woodpeckers
SHARING AS FEBRUARY ENDS 
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS AND A BIG BLUE JAY – Marilyn Armstrong 
BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS – Marilyn Armstrong 
HAIRY WOODPECKER: THE ORIGINAL ANGRY BIRD – Marilyn Armstrong 
SERENDIPITY - SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
Look at the birds you get! All we got is pigeons and sparrows. In monocolor.
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it matters where you live. We live in the woods and behind us — and in front of us — are about 100 acres of open forest. So yes, we get a lot more birds. But we don’t get as many birds as we used to get and that is worrisome. On the other hand, I was thrilled to discover we have flying squirrels. I’m still thrilled.
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Flying Squirrels ! Those are exotic to us.
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They live in your neighborhood. You just never see them.
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Does one ever tire of watching birds? I think not…
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Garry and Owen weren’t at all interested in birds, but they found themselves just standing in the kitchen or dining room watching. You can’t help it. They really do grab you.
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What a gorgeous woodpecker! I hope he figures large in some upcoming shots too! All the birds are beautiful though! ❤
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We got a huge hairy Woodpecker this morning, too. I was in watching rather than photographing mode, but I swear we have the biggest, fattest birds in Worcester Country. A lot of our birds are not merely well-fed. They are shaped like tennis balls with beaks! I’m surprised they don’t fall off the perches.
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Since that picture, he has rounded out and he’s really BIG. Big tummy, too. It might be a lady woodpecker full of eggs. It’s getting to be that time of year again.
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Interesting to be able to tell the change of season by the change in the birds. It actually makes a lot of sense.
Leslie
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In winter — aka “non-breeding” season, they are dull-colored, but when spring pops up, they change into their brightest hues. It’s wonderful to watch!
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It’s almost like us. I’m sure we brighten up too when the spring comes….
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I’m planning on bluebird feather this year, with a hint of orange for a hat.
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Sensational!….
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Beautiful pictures Marilyn.
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I was watching them this morning, thinking I should take pictures, but today, watching them seemed to be enough. Our birds are really big and fat! Bigger than they should be. I think we have the best-fed birds in Worcester country.
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Hurray for the ( free) Armstrong outdoor cafe for the birds!
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We just filled the feeders again! Between the flying and non-flying squirrels and occasional chipmunk, and oh so many birds, they knocked off about 8 pounds of three different kinds of food. That’s a LOT of food. I had so hoped I wouldn’t have to buy food again this month. I guess I will need to shop again. The outdoor crew eat more than both dogs.
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They are numerically greater then two, even the dogs are bigger. I hope they don’t eat you out of your budget!
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The red finch is one gorgeous little bird.
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That’s his full coloration. He must be ready to breed. That’s (I assume) how he attracts the lady red finches. “Come hither! Look how red I am!”
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Sex in the air. Oh boy… now I’m really gonna wonder the next time “bird poop” lands on my head.
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They do it in the air, they do it on the railing, they do it on the feeder. They do it ALL the time. The little birds are very horny.
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