Part II of New Bird Friends

Okay so today I have to tell you about a more recent event. I believe it was last week, but I am still just as excited as if it happened this morning. Don, Donny and I were down stairs enjoying our morning coffee and milk and had the windows open wide for a clear view of the bird feeders. First thing in the morning we have a group of Oregon Dark Eyed Juncos visit. There is usually a group of 10-12. They visit us all through out the day, but always seem to be the first ones to the feeders in the morning.
So as we are sitting there all of the sudden this huge bird (compared to the others) is on the feeder. I almost scream with excitement as I hustle to get my camera and tell Donny to look out the window.Don and Donny grab the bird identification book and go to work right away. What could it be? After the bird flew away and I was able to calm down (hehe) we identified it as the "Northern Flicker Woodpecker". Luckily for us we don't have any trees in our yard that are big enough for him/her to make holes in. Wow what a pretty bird. Has yellowish/orange underside that you see as they fly. Love the markings. Since then this bird has been back in the mornings to eat the suet and then perches on top of our neighbors house. It usually has a buddy with it with looks like a black bird (still to be identified). 

Northern Flicker

But wait friends that is not all. Again we were sitting there and all of the sudden (again) we look and see a fat Robin and a little bird with red on it. "AAAHG, where is my camera" I say in panic. Another bird visitor for our book. "Donny, what is it?" (side note...he loves birds, well most, and is super good at identifying them). 

Okay so we got a Robin and we think the other is a Purple Finch or a Pine Grosbeak. Although the book states the Pine Grosbeak is more in Washington, but hey he could of flew to our yard. Stranger things have happened. Cool....click...click...click.. (that is me going crazy with the camera).

Then if that wasn't enough another bird flies in that we have not seen in our backyard before. WOW unbelieveable!!! SO EXCITED (can you tell I have plenty of coffee in the morning).

Varied Thrush

This little guy we identified as a Varied Thrush. Beautiful coloring so bright and vibrant. Love it!!

So we are chatting amongst our selves watching these birds still in awe when Don looks over to our bubbler or water fountain and notices our little Hummer flying in for a bath. Guess what I caught it on camera too!!! So cute! I love our little Hummer!

WOW what an exciting morning. I almost get just as excited just telling you about it. hehe. I never thought I would get into birding but man once you start looking you notice how awesome and amazing these birds are. Just like flowers all the different varieties, what can I say I love gardens and almost everything that comes to visit. 

Until my next writing adventure......Have a great day....and go look out your window for some birds!

~Em

Welcome Birdy Friends (and non birdy friends :) )

Since we moved out to Oregon City over three years ago I have gotten a bigger yard, which means ....THE MORE I CAN DO WITH IT. I love to garden, flowers, veggies, you name it. I have made some changes to our yard over the last three years mainly because the soil is clay and well.....holds tons of water and doesn't appear to like grass for very long.

Before

After

So out with the old and in with the new and by golly NO MORE GRASS. We transformed the back yard into a Bird loving haven not to mention one my family and I love tons. I am really looking forward to this Spring and Summer so we can experience the full array of colors these plants have to offer. 

Our first main guest that I that we have seen is the Anna's Hummingbird. We have a Male that has been like a pet almost. He has claimed his territory as his own and then started attracting the females. Over the winter we have had three Hummers total. The male, who we named "Twister" and two females.

Needless to say our two neighbor cats have been very entertained as they try to figure out a way to get them. But No worries I have air cans that scare off the cats if they get to close. Plus those little birds are pretty smart and super fast.

That is all I am able to blogg at the moment but stayed tuned as we have seen a lot more birds now that Spring is just around the corner...and I got pictures to prove it. EXCITING!!!!!

Backyard Birding Adventures