The grackle and the chickadee

The grackle doesn't know that this is not a bathtub. Sprinkler on. Collection of water. Pipe connection. Bath time.

Seeds for the chickadee. Acrobatic style.

_______________________________

Having fun

Lunch on the sidewalk, the ovenbird, what fun.

Right in our garden, the common yellow throat warbler , first year male.. see darker area at cheeks.

_________________________________

Finding food

Approaching berries with trepidation. young cardinal.

Grackle checking  me out

Delicious autumn berries

_____________________________________

Autumn visitors

The hermit thrush.. here for berries.... dining on seeds in our garden, loads of them.

The male parula, like a palette.

One second sapsucker

Pale Male

____________________________________________

Hopeful

My fingers are crossed that we might see a barred owl again. During a recent talk I was
 asked about birding protocol. The most important behavior is RESPECT. Birds are here as our guests. They don't want or need to be startled, mobbed, chased. First do no harm.  No flash when owls are visiting. I've seen birds flinch from the flash. No shoving other nature lovers out of the way. Birding is not a gladiator sport. Stop, look, listen. Bird watching should be fun,  but the welfare of the birds comes first. Nobody with a camera has the God given right to create havoc.
__________________________________

So personable

I know, I know, pesky brat birds, the starlings.... but they are so personable and fascinating in their autumn plumage. I must look like potential food, because they stand, wait and give me the evil eye.

________________________________

Favorite tinies

Not easy to photograph, the hyper kinglet, first the ruby.

                                                 Finally the golden, but not camera friendly.
___________________________________