H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 693 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Sunday Photo

CAN YOU ID THIS BIRD?

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Tags: birds, ID This Bird, photography, photos of birds

Tempers Flare Up

This week the weather temperatures average 86º F and the humidity about 80%, of course that feels like about 5º higher. You can bet that everybody is in an edgy mood and I mean including birds.

Yesterday I could see bird fights all over the backyard. First time for me to see a fight between a Chipmunk and a bird!. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

I mean tempers were flaring up no kidding. I saw a group of Northern Cardinals, about 12 of them between juveniles and adults deep into a melee to take possession of the feeders. But as you may have suspected there were other birds wanting to eat as well. I was observing the ruckus developing rapidly, I wanted to find out what’s going on. In conclusion it came down to the peak temperatures under a brilliant summer sun. I gave them a refill of seeds and that helped a bit to calm them down, most larger birds left and the rest had more opportunity to grab some meal.

It really felt hot out there! Believe me!

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He’ll tell where the seeds go! 🙂

Text and photos © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: birds, Brown-Headed Cowbird, nature, photography, photos of birds, Red-Winged Blackbird

A Few Degrees of Separation

One of the things that change during the day time in Summer is that my bird feeders get crowded with larger birds that are more apt to resist the hot weather. Most little birds simply disappear until the sun start to set in the horizon, when temperature drops a few degrees, much more agreeable to the smaller birds.

Among the larger birds that you mostly find are Grackles, Cowbirds, Mockingbirds, Doves, Blackbirds, Cardinals.

My feature bird for today’s post is the Red-winged Blackbird. If you ask me, these birds are quite handsome and are well defined specimens. The possess strong bills, large wings and tails to power their flight effortless despite their body size. They have long legs and large tarsi and talus that provide strong perching ability.

Their plumage is somehow flamboyant with their red, yellow and white shoulder in contrast with the black of the body color, never the less striking.

Here I bring you a few samples of these beautiful birds. Enjoy!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: birds, nature, photography, photos of birds, Red-Winged Blackbird

Poems and Pix

Wait a Second!

One afternoon I was trimming some bushes in my backyard as I always do. It was a warm and humid day but I felt that perhaps doing the work under the shade of the trees would get a cool breeze and not be so warm. Suddenly, a small bird flies toward me and lands on my left shoulder. I was kind of surprised but I let the bird stay on my shoulder.

I thought it was extraordinary but not rare, too bad that I did not have my camera with me to take a photograph. I tried not to move much not to spook him. He was perched what it seemed comfortably, I smiled to myself! Then I hear a voice say – “Thank you!” I automatically responded with a “You’re welcome” then I turned around and… “Wait a second! Who said that?” The little bird got closer to my ear and said “Don’t worry it’s just me, I needed to say that to you”

– “But you are not supposed to talk, your a bird!” My voice was reflecting traces of worry or perhaps confusion.

– “Who says I’m talking”, said the bird and continued “Maybe it’s you that understand me, that’s not important now”.

– “What do you want?” I was more confused than before because what’s happening now is just impossible.

The little bird said – “I wanted to say thanks for all you do and have done for us birds. We want you to know that although we never get the opportunity to thank the people that help us, today that is possible. There was a special little Goldfinch that crossed paths with you not long ago, he told us many things that you’ve done for the birds. We are very grateful for you have always cared for us. Hopefully other people will in time follow what you do and eventually help us thrive”. The little bird paused, I was digesting all what he had said.

– “I understand you and I feel honored to hear your words, pardon me but… I’m still stunned by hearing you talk, it’s incredible!” I admitted my surprise and awe.

– “You should know that this dialog is a unique happening that will not repeat ever again, the close relationship between you and us birds made this possible. No need for conversations, only actions”

– “HJ! HJ!” I heard another voice, this time it sounded familiar.

– ”HJ! Who’re you talking to?” It was my wife, standing a few steps from me looking at me with intriguing face.

– “The most incredible thing has just happenned, this little bird on my shoulder just spoke to me!” She looked at me with another puzzled face.

– “What bird are you talking about? I don’t see any bird on your shoulder, I was watching you for a minute before I called you but I saw you talking to yourself!” She sounded very sure of what she saw!.

– “You know what? Never mind, I’ve finished anyway! It must be the hot sun that got to me”

I started to walk back toward the house, I shook my head. Then I heard wings flapping behind me and see the little bird flying away. I smiled.

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