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.
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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.

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Favorite tinies

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

                                                 Finally the golden, but not camera friendly.
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Lunch and a surprise

Lunch for the first year male common yellow throat warbler. Nice color combo.

Didn't expect this, a lingerer hummer.

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Chomping

Seeds, delicious seeds for the grosbeak.

It's not often that I get to see the side feathers under the wing.

Chatting with catbird

Add female redstart to the mix.

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Knock, knock, anyone home?

I felt about as energetic as this raccoon. I whistled some "Barber of Seville" music.

Raccoon stirred

The family came out to listen

                   Finally family disappeared back into den and Mama went back to sleep.
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Total surprise

Never expected to see this. First there was the call, baby demanding food. It's a bit late for the fledgling routine. Maybe this cardinal had three broods.

Baby called and called and called, but was obviously able to feed itself.

More demands and then Mama fed the baby. I didn't go close. Didn't want to disrupt this sweet scene.

Meanwhile in another space female redstart caught a bee. BIG lunch.

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