Pictures From My Smart Bird Feeder

[Medusa]

I'm glad that you've gotten to see the goldfinches in their gradual changeover, this year,
@Medusa
It goes by quickly, and many people haven't ever seen it.

And you've shown it here, so more people can see it too.

It really has been special to watch.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I'm glad that you've gotten to see the goldfinches in their gradual changeover, this year,
@Medusa
It goes by quickly, and many people haven't ever seen it.

And you've shown it here, so more people can see it too.

I agree. It’s nice to see the gradual change in colour of the gold finches. They look fabulous.
Thanks again for showing us.

 

[Medusa]

The birdies have been kind of scarce lately (well, the flashy ones), but today we got a few new visitors.

I don't know what species of bird this is. Anyone?

And we've been graced by a mating pair of ducks! So cool to see these guys. I want to find something to feed them if they come back. Although, they seemed to be enjoying the seeds that dropped under the feeder. They were so cute, hiding in the foliage at the back of the yard and cautiously working their way to the feeder.

These are not great pictures as I took them from the deck, trying not to scare the ducks away. I used the pinch-enlarge zoom feature and it seems to have cost me in picture quality. Oh well.


The female finding seed under the feeder.



Her mate doing the same.



The two of them under the table were the fountain is.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Oh joy. Oh bliss. You have DUCKS!!
How cool is that. You must be thrilled.
Your bird seed looks a lot different. I don’t know what type of bird is it and in the video.
Thanks for showing us your birds. I really missed this thread. It’s nice to see it again.

 

[Medusa]

Oh joy. Oh bliss. You have DUCKS!!
How cool is that. You must be thrilled.
Your bird seed looks a lot different. I don’t know what type of bird is it and in the video.
Thanks for showing us your birds. I really missed this thread. It’s nice to see it again.

Right? It's so freaking cool! I feel blessed.

Thanks, Patty. It's really fun to share with you and everyone.

ETA: Yeah, that seed came in the same bag as our usual. We got a refund.

 

[RuralKanuck]

Enjoyed seeing the pictures from your bird feeder many of which arrive here in SW Ontario a little later than in the U.S. but my window feeder has some rather different 'birds' on occasion!

 

[Kaila]

@Medusa
I recognize your new bird visitor.!

It's a black capped Grey catbird.

They are related to mockingbirds, if i recall correctly, so they might have some interesting songs.
I think i remember that they love grape jelly.
They might be a little bossy or aggressive toward competition for food.

 

[Kaila]

@Medusa
I recognize your new bird visitor.!

It's a black capped Grey catbird.

They are related to mockingbirds, if i recall correctly, so they might have some interesting songs.
I think i remember that they love grape jelly.
They might be a little bossy or aggressive toward competition for food.

Or maybe it made calls that sort of sound like a cat!
It's been a few years since I last saw or heard them but that's what those are.

 

[Kaila]

Wonderful mallard pair you've got there!

They love cracked corn, but.....
Squirrels also love corn.

We used to sprinkle the cracked corn on a water pool, so the squirrels couldn't reach too much of the corn.

If the corn is near the edge of water, or if there's a stick across the water, the squirrels will find a way and be attracted to your property.

But the ducks will love you forever.

And of course, ducks love, love, love water!

 

[Medusa]

Enjoyed seeing the pictures from your bird feeder many of which arrive here in SW Ontario a little later than in the U.S. but my window feeder has some rather different 'birds' on occasion!

View attachment 498800

Love this. Are those chipmunks? They're cute.

 

[Medusa]

@Medusa
I recognize your new bird visitor.!

It's a black capped Grey catbird.

They are related to mockingbirds, if i recall correctly, so they might have some interesting songs.
I think i remember that they love grape jelly.
They might be a little bossy or aggressive toward competition for food.

Oh awesome, Kaila, I was hoping you'd know. Maybe we will catch him singing on camera, that would be nice.

 

[Medusa]

Or maybe it made calls that sort of sound like a cat!
It's been a few years since I last saw or heard them but that's what those are.

Well, I'll be listening.

Wonderful mallard pair you've got there!

They love cracked corn, but.....
Squirrels also love corn.

We used to sprinkle the cracked corn on a water pool, so the squirrels couldn't reach too much of the corn.

If the corn is near the edge of water, or if there's a stick across the water, the squirrels will find a way and be attracted to your property.

But the ducks will love you forever.

And of course, ducks love, love, love water!

I was wondering if it was the fountain that attracted them. Also wondering what part of the seed they're enjoying. AND wondering now if I can find cracked corn with hot pepper oil on it.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Right? It's so freaking cool! I feel blessed.

Thanks, Patty. It's really fun to share with you and everyone.

ETA: Yeah, that seed came in the same bag as our usual. We got a refund.

That food came in the same bag as the sunflower seed bag?

 

[RuralKanuck]

Love this. Are those chipmunks? They're cute.

They are ... they will simply fill their cheeks with bird food before going and stashing their takings elsewhere.......

 

[Medusa]

That food came in the same bag as the sunflower seed bag?

Yep. Can you believe it? -- Well, wait, lemme check with husband because I thought he'd said it was the sunflower seeds with the addition of peanuts, but this seed does look quite a bit different.

Okay, so apparently when husband reordered the usual sunflower seeds with pepper oil the company sent this mixed seed by mistake. That's okay because we did get a refund and our regular seed is still available.

I checked, @Kaila, and this seed does have corn in it! So it must be that and maybe the fountain that attracted the ducks.

When I was upstairs talking to husband about this he said, "Guess who was at the fountain when I was coming in from work." I was all excited until he said, "a squirrel." :/ Freaking squirrels. I suppose though, they're not really causing any harm just getting a drink.

 

[Kaila]

The more I think about it, I recall that those Grey catbirds, made a meowing sound like an annoyed cat demanding their dinner .

Not a song.

You'll recognize it, if you hear it....

Now that you know that there is not a feral cat in your vicinity and that it's actually coming from that bird.
Nature is a little weird, sometimes.

 

[Kaila]

Yep. Can you believe it? -- Well, wait, lemme check with husband because I thought he'd said it was the sunflower seeds with the addition of peanuts, but this seed does look quite a bit different.

Okay, so apparently when husband reordered the usual sunflower seeds with pepper oil the company sent this mixed seed by mistake. That's okay because we did get a refund and our regular seed is still available.

I checked, @Kaila, and this seed does have corn in it! So it must be that and maybe the fountain that attracted the ducks.

When I was upstairs talking to husband about this he said, "Guess who was at the fountain when I was coming in from work." I was all excited until he said, "a squirrel." :/ Freaking squirrels. I suppose though, they're not really causing any harm just getting a drink.

The squirrels don't favor water.
It's the corn they're looking for.... and peanuts.... and sunflower seeds..... and burgers and fries???

 

[Medusa]

The more I think about it, I recall that those Grey catbirds, made a meowing sound like an annoyed cat demanding their dinner .

Not a song.

You'll recognize it, if you hear it....

Now that you know that there is not a feral cat in your vicinity and that it's actually coming from that bird.
Nature is a little weird, sometimes.

I hope I get that on video for this thread; that would be fun.

The squirrels don't favor water.
It's the corn they're looking for.... and peanuts.

Well, they're going to be disappointed because that corn has hot pepper oil on it. Hey, maybe that's why the squirrel was drinking from the fountain!

Lucius is waiting for me to take him on the evening walk. He's so needy.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Yep. Can you believe it? -- Well, wait, lemme check with husband because I thought he'd said it was the sunflower seeds with the addition of peanuts, but this seed does look quite a bit different.

Okay, so apparently when husband reordered the usual sunflower seeds with pepper oil the company sent this mixed seed by mistake. That's okay because we did get a refund and our regular seed is still available.

I checked, @Kaila, and this seed does have corn in it! So it must be that and maybe the fountain that attracted the ducks.

When I was upstairs talking to husband about this he said, "Guess who was at the fountain when I was coming in from work." I was all excited until he said, "a squirrel." :/ Freaking squirrels. I suppose though, they're not really causing any harm just getting a drink.

Did you get a refund AND get to keep the bird food ?
Hopefully the squirrels are only there for the water.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Well, they're going to be disappointed because that corn has hot pepper oil on it. Hey, maybe that's why the squirrel was drinking from the fountain!

LOL! Yes! Maybe the squirrel thought… hey great! There’s some new food with peanuts and tried it. Then his mouth was burning so badly it needed the water fountain. That’s funny.

 

[Medusa]

Did you get a refund AND get to keep the bird food ?
Hopefully the squirrels are only there for the water.

Yep.

 

[Medusa]

LOL! Yes! Maybe the squirrel thought… hey great! There’s some new food with peanuts and tried it. Then his mouth was burning so badly it needed the water fountain. That’s funny.

You know, I really think that might have been the case!

 

[Kaila]

LOL! Yes! Maybe the squirrel thought… hey great! There’s some new food with peanuts and tried it. Then his mouth was burning so badly it needed the water fountain. That’s funny.

Sounds like a cartoon animation.

 

[Kaila]

Or perhaps the squirrels were washing the pepper off the nuts and seeds, in the fountain, and planning to enjoy the grub, after that.
Squirrels love free food!

 

[seadoug]

I have a ledge on the second floor right by my home office window and there are two doves making a nest there. It is a covered area. They have brought up twigs and are clearly creating a family there. I hear them cooing by the window and find the whole thing so sweet. I haven't taken a pic because I don't want to open the blind and scare them.