Pictures From My Smart Bird Feeder

[MarciKS]

Well, I got a lot of pictures from the feeder today, but none with any birds in them. I don't know why though. When I have the live camera on I can hear the birds chirping in the bush so I don't know what's keeping them from the feeder.

I replaced the suet today as it was gone, which I'm taking as a good sign. On the upside, only one squirrel picture. The squirrel visits are way, way down. Now I just need the birdies to come back.

Maybe the squirrel is barking at them cuz he's mad cuz he can't steal their food.

 

[Medusa]

Well, I did get a few pictures today. None of the Cardinals, but some nice ones, just the same.

I don't know what kind of bird this is. Pretty thing.


See what I mean about how, when the birds are at the "proper" feeder space they are a bit too close to the camera?


Pretty Red Finch.


Sparrow?


Hopefully, they'll start becoming more comfortable with the feeder.


Only one squirrel picture today. Yay.

I saw the neighbor in his yard today and spoke with him briefly about the feeder and the camera. I wanted to assure him that it's not pointed into his yard and make sure the alarm hasn't bothered him or his wife. They're very nice people

 

[MarciKS]

Well, I did get a few pictures today. None of the Cardinals, but some nice ones, just the same.

I don't know what kind of bird this is. Pretty thing.
View attachment 479980

See what I mean about how, when the birds are at the "proper" feeder space they are a bit too close to the camera?
View attachment 479982

Pretty Red Finch.
View attachment 479983

Sparrow?
View attachment 479984

Hopefully, they'll start becoming more comfortable with the feeder.
View attachment 479985

Only one squirrel picture today. Yay.

I saw the neighbor in his yard today and spoke with him briefly about the feeder and the camera. I wanted to assure him that it's not pointed into his yard and make sure the alarm hasn't bothered him or his wife. They're very nice people

why is there an alarm on your feeder?

 

[Medusa]

why is there an alarm on your feeder?

To scare the squirrels away. It worked for the first day, then they got used to it. So, I've turned it off. The hot seed seems to be working for them now, in any event.

Though, you know, it wasn't such a bad thing that it yelled at my son to get out of the yard. Well, I mean, my son didn't appreciate it, but maybe I should turn it on before bed at night and off again in the morning.

 

[MarciKS]

i wonder if it scared the birds though?

 

[Medusa]

i wonder if it scared the birds though?

It doesn't yell at the birds. It's set to go off for larger creatures. It's a good thought though. It's been off for a couple days and the birds are still skittish. I think it's just going to take time.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Nice pictures Medusa. I think the first bird is a Junco. They are normally ground feeders so probably prefer your open style feeder.

 

[Medusa]

Nice pictures Medusa. I think the first bird is a Junco. They are normally ground feeders so probably prefer your open style feeder.

Oh yes, I've just looked them up and they do look very much like the one in the picture. Thanks, Patty.

 

[Kaila]

Nice pictures Medusa. I think the first bird is a Junco. They are normally ground feeders so probably prefer your open style feeder.

Yes, that's what I thought it was, too.
And was going to make the same comment, as well.

 

[Medusa]

Yes, that's what I thought it was, too.
And was going to make the same comment, as well.

Well, you guys are in good company as boyfriend also voted Junco. He is enjoying the new bird feeder as well and having fun looking up North American birds.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I like Juncos. They clean up most of the seed that falls on to the ground. Plus I love how they bounce around.

 

[Kaila]

To scare the squirrels away. It worked for the first day, then they got used to it. So, I've turned it off. The hot seed seems to be working for them now, in any event.

Though, you know, it wasn't such a bad thing that it yelled at my son to get out of the yard. Well, I mean, my son didn't appreciate it, but maybe I should turn it on before bed at night and off again in the morning.

Except if it yells at any movement of winds or shrub branches, etc ,
Then I wouldn't want to be bothering your closeby neighbors at night.

 

[Medusa]

Except if it yells at any movement of winds or shrub branches, etc ,
Then I wouldn't want to be bothering your closeby neighbors at night.

I haven't noticed it doing that so far. The motion detector takes pictures of nothing on windy days, but the alarm only goes off if something large and heavy steps right in front of the camera and it is not pointed into the neighbor's yard.

 

[Medusa]

Well, the birds are definitely becoming more comfortable with the feeder. The app has sent me 25 pictures so far today.

Unfortunately, no Cardinals or Blue Jays, but here are a couple of nice ones of the Red Finches.

 

[Kaila]

Great pictures!
It's fun to see them, and to examine each one.

 

[Kaila]

BTW, totally agreed, that the ledge they have for the seeds, puts the birds too close to the camera, for any good photos.

Best for the seed to go where you have it!

They usually find water sources for themselves, such as pecking at a frozen ice spot.

At some much later date, you could decide if you want a bird bath, with a camera.... if they make such a thing.

 

[Medusa]

you could decide if you want a bird bath, with a camera.... if they make such a thing.

Oh, that's a really good idea! I was thinking of a birdbath because of using the water tray for seed, but it hadn't occurred to me to check for one with a camera!

 

[Kaila]

Wild birds prefer baths that have water dripping, it attracts them more;
And standing water also is apt to get insects like mosquitoes, too.

 

[Medusa]

Wild birds prefer baths that have water dripping, it attracts them more;
And standing water also is apt to get insects like mosquitoes, too.

Good to know!

 

[GAlady]

My daughter bought me a Bird Buddy a year ago. Best present I ever received. Here is a picture the camera captured of a Male House Finch and Cardinal fighting over seeds.

 

[Medusa]

My daughter bought me a Bird Buddy a year ago. Best present I ever received. Here is a picture the camera captured of a Male House Finch and Cardinal fighting over seeds.
View attachment 480173

Awesome picture!

 

[Medusa]

SBF (Smart Bird Feeder) has again sent a bunch of pictures today, most with birds, none with squirrels.

A few I liked.

Early morning visit from the lady Cardinal. She tends to stop by in the mornings.


Camera always seems to catch the Juncos in flight.


I just thought this was a cool shot.



When my husband returned last night he told me that they had installed the app on son's phone as well. So they were both (along with son's roommate couple and their daughter) watching and enjoying the photos and videos.

They apparently saw a video I'd missed of a squirrel jumping up on the feeder, trying the seed, shaking his head and then grabbing the rest of the suet and running off with it! So that's where the suet went! I'd hoped it was birds. Oh, well.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I love all the bird pictures . The cardinal is especially beautiful. The pair we had either came really early in the morning or early in rhe evenng when all the other birds had done.
Is your husband going to put holes in the seed container?

 

[Medusa]

I love all the bird pictures . The cardinal is especially beautiful. The pair we had either came really early in the morning or early in rhe evenng when all the other birds have done.
Is your husband going to put holes in the seed container?

Oh, you know, I haven't mentioned it yet, but I'm pretty sure he will also think it's a good idea if we're going to keep using the water tray for food, which I want to do.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Oh, you know, I haven't mentioned it yet, but I'm pretty sure he will also think it's a good idea if we're going to keep using the water tray for food, which I want to do.

You can get caged feeders for the suet to stop the squirrels from stealing it.