Wild For Birds

April snow is for the birds, literally… The day was supposed to start out with a pool inspection at a house I am selling followed by a photo session for a new spring listing.   Both cancelled due to snow, I end up instead spending the day photographing my favorite subjects while 7 1/2 inches of snow fell to the ground in our little yard (hello Spring).  Thankfully, all of the suet and bird feeders were just re-stocked by my husband yesterday, so no casting call was necessary.  My models were superb, especially the Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.  Grackles were on hand as well, willing to pose as long as food was involved.

The disruptive, loud, territorial (the list goes on) European Starlings had a family reunion of sorts.  This invasive species is fierce, particularly fierce with each other or anyone else who is competing for food, and apparently believe they rule the bird world.  While the photographer side of me enjoys their speckled colorful feathers, as well as their seemingly dark mysterious personality,  the bird advocate in me isn’t so in love with them.  Policing their activity every 1/2 hr or so is necessary or no other birds will have an opportunity to eat!

This is not a dance…

Sadly, most are forced to just wait it out…   

April showers bring May flowers, April snow brings hungry birds.  Some shouted, others seemingly prayed for the snow to come to an end…

If being adorable simply isn’t enough, adorn yourself with a snowflake or two!

Or not…

Standing room only at the Finch feeding compound. Line begins here.

A flash of fur here and there completes the show.

G’night little friends… sleep tight.

Heidi