My Backyard

My post for today will be about giving an approximate description of my backyard, which is the place where most of my photo work happens. It is very simple and straight forward patio, deck, lawn and creek. I’ve made a cut section drawing to show what I mean.

Cut section showing levels.

There’s nothing out of the ordinary once you look at it. Through the years I’ve been observing the birds coming and going, I’ve gotten to the conclusion that the main magnet that attracts birds is the creek with basic but extremely important factors for birds of any kind. There are lines of trees, shrubs and bushes that offer the most for any kind of birds. Safe haven for nesting birds in form of pine trees, oaks, sycamores, sumacs and other species. Bushes of several kinds which some are berries bearing. The humid grounds next to the water stream is a great source of invertebrates for birds such as earth worms, grubs and a great number of insects.

Patio, deck, back lawn 250 y.o. Oak in background, midget Crape Myrtle foreground.

Looking down to creek area.

Inside the creek.

Bluebird box

East side of creek

West side of creek.

Looking East at lawn level.

My photography is done mainly with help of a tripod and a camera with a long zoom lens. It’s basically the only way that I’ve been able to achieve the photos that you’re familiar with by now.

I hope that my description has been of help for anybody wondering about my backyard.

Brown-headed Cowbird (M)

Common Grackle (M)

Tags: birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, Common Grackle, nature, photography, photos of birds

30 thoughts on “My Backyard”

circadianreflections on July 10, 2014 at 8:36 am said:

Having a creek so near is wonderful! With all those lovely natural perches, and great hiding places in the trees and bushes it’s a bird haven. Not having to travel farther than your own yard is a blessing! I have to do a good bit of travel if I want to see any kind of variety in my birding. You’re a lucky man!

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 9:32 am said:
  
  I do travel too, but I get many birds locally to keep my blog running. Thank you very much! 🙂
  
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novelwriter2013 on July 10, 2014 at 8:42 am said:

Thanks, H.J., for giving us a glimpse of your backyard and bird sanctuary!!

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 9:33 am said:
  
  Thank you Amy for reading my blog. 🙂
  
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forgottenmeadows on July 10, 2014 at 9:42 am said:

You have a beautiful backyard and I think the birdies think so too 🙂 you capture it all so well in your photos 🙂

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clarepooley33 on July 10, 2014 at 10:24 am said:

Yes, you are right! It is always good to see where you find your birds to photograph and you do have a lovely back yard! What a great place for your son to play.

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  Thank you Clare, I appreciate your words! 🙂
  
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kathydoremus on July 10, 2014 at 11:39 am said:

Thanks…always like to get ideas from others. 🙂

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  Did you get any ideas from me? Thank you Kathy! 🙂
  
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Beth's Photographs on July 10, 2014 at 12:55 pm said:

Thanks for maintaining a great place for birds! You’re lucky to have such beautiful surroundings!

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 1:00 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot Beth! 🙂
  
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Bob Zeller on July 10, 2014 at 1:05 pm said:

Nice backyard, H.J. I love the habitat. 🙂

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 2:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks Bob! 🙂
  
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F.G.M. on July 10, 2014 at 2:39 pm said:

Your backyard is Heaven for birds 🙂 Beautiful! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Frédéric

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 2:54 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Frederic! 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on July 10, 2014 at 3:40 pm said:

Loved the plan of your backyard complete with pictures. The birds were extra good too.

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Thank you Susan! 🙂
  
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tootlepedal on July 10, 2014 at 6:09 pm said:

It is very good to have the context in which your pictures are taken. Keep shooting.

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- avian101 on July 10, 2014 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  Yes, I think it was a good idea to write a post about my backyard. Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
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andromeda65 on July 11, 2014 at 6:49 am said:

Awesome backyard view and you really are very, very lucky to be living here! It is nature nurtured to its fullest. Great ground for the awesome pictures that you take. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to visit your backyard!!!

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- avian101 on July 11, 2014 at 10:31 am said:
  
  Thank you A.! I work along with Nature, my ally. It’s a mutual agreement. I help Nature and Nature helps me! You’re most welcome! 🙂
  
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  - andromeda65 on July 11, 2014 at 12:50 pm said:
    
    Way to go, H.J! 🙂
Rolling Harbour on July 11, 2014 at 2:02 pm said:

Thanks for this – now we can see where all the birding goes on! All the best, RH

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- avian101 on July 11, 2014 at 2:54 pm said:
  
  Thank you! Now remember that’s a secret! 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on July 11, 2014 at 2:21 pm said:

I really liked seeing your back yard, HJ. I liked the diagram and especially the photos. And how wonderful to have a creek there, I am sure it is a bird magnet (aside from your feeders!). You have made a beautiful sanctuary.

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- avian101 on July 11, 2014 at 2:58 pm said:
  
  Oh yeah! HJ’s Sanctuary 🙂 …One can only dream! I’m glad that you like it. Thank you Jet! 🙂
  
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Lisa Rest on July 11, 2014 at 2:43 pm said:

What a great layout. No wonder the birds flock to you! Love the Grackle. 🙂

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- avian101 on July 11, 2014 at 3:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lisa! They flock to me because my charming personality. Sorry the Grackle is married! 🙂
  
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johndjeevaratnam on July 15, 2014 at 11:55 am said:

Thank you H.J. The deck makes for a nice lookout point. The creek and treeline brings you all the visitors. Lucky you 🙂

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- avian101 on July 15, 2014 at 12:20 pm said:
  
  You’re most welcome John! I wish you return to your photography, you had accomplished so much! Come on, surprise me! 🙂
  
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