“Hello there.”

There’s just something about the Turkey Vulture that I love. They’re not particularly handsome birds. I guess it’s that their looks seem to give them alot of character and personality. And also, since they eat mostly carrion (dead animals), they don’t bother the other birds, which makes me happy :)

I never knew how abundant they are in this area until I started looking up. Now I see them almost every day. Sometimes solitary, sometimes in groups circling overhead. Other times, just perched… probably relaxing after a good meal…

Next time you see a Turkey Vulture, don’t be afraid. But if you see them staring at you and licking their chops, you may just want to schedule a doctor’s appointment to make sure you’re alright :)

While birding this past weekend, I had some really nice looks at a Northern Mockingbird. This reminded me of how much I enjoyed the visitors to our yard this spring…

The Northern Mockingbird has some of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. One particular fella would sit on the roof and sing all night long. I think he was trying to woo a mate :)

He would sing a few songs and then he would do sort of a flip in the air, displaying the beautiful white markings under his wings. This would go on and on…

Northern Mockingbirds may be considered drab by some, but not by me – I think all birds are absolutely beautiful – they were made by Jesus after all! :) And their singing is heavenly!

I went back to the Westtown Lake looking for the Ruby-crowned Kinglets I saw there yesterday. The Kinglets weren’t around, but in the middle of the lake I saw these two characters:

They are female Bufflehead, which are very small ducks. Because of their size, from a distance they stood out immediately from the seventy or so Canada Geese that were also swimming on the lake.

Another interesting thing about the Bufflehead is that they dive for their food. They both went completely under for at least ten or fifteen seconds before surfacing. Presumably they were eating or looking for something to eat :)

They really are beautiful creatures. I was blessed to see them swimming, diving and flying across the lake today.

I realize that the photos aren’t that great, but considering how far away they were, I think the detail is pretty good. One of these days I’ll get around to purchasing a digiscoping set-up. Then, look out! :)

We have a new regular visitor to the backyard, and I’m not very happy about it.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think that this Cooper’s Hawk is absolutely beautiful, and he has to eat just like everyone else. And after Adam’s fall, God made him to eat other birds. I know that. I just wish he wouldn’t eat any of the birds at our feeder…

I realize that I have to get over this, but every time I see a pile of feathers beneath the feeder I feel a bit guilty, as though I’ve lured the birds there with all of the seed and suet and nuts that I put out for them. I really enjoy watching the birds that come to our yard (and believe me, we get plenty!), but I don’t want to see them gobbled up by a hungry hawk. Maybe I can put the feeder somewhere with more protection from predators. Any suggestions would be appreciated…

A couple of nights ago Adriane and I were sitting out on the patio when I saw a Chipping Sparrow land about halfway up the River Birch tree. I got a really nice look at him in his non-breeding plumage. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera with me and he flew off after about a minute or so. But that reminded me that I had a couple of nice photos of some Chipping Sparrows from back in April, so I thought I would take this opportunity to post them now.

I really think these are beautiful birds. I know, I say that about all birds, but it’s true, and Jesus made each of them beautiful in their own way :) I love this little fella’s rusty cap and eye stripe! And take a look at how comical  this one is:

He’s so silly looking, I wonder if he’s just a baby. Either way I really love Chipping Sparrows. We don’t get alot of them in our yard, but it’s always a treat when we do!