Garden Visitors

I love the birds. My first pet was a budgie called Mickey. I have always had bird feeders on my property, different ones for different feed to attract different birds. You can see my post on the hummingbirds here. And I love having homes for the birds so I have assorted bird houses around as well. I am lucky to get lots of varieties of our feathered friends visiting. I will sit quietly near the feeding stations with my camera hoping to catch a bird or two enjoying the feast I offer. And of course, the chipmunks always enjoy the buffet. Unfortunately, I don't get the squirrels because we have chickens, and squirrels just don't like chickens! (guaranteed you will not have your fall bulbs dug up if you top them with hen manure a couple times a year!!)

So I am sharing a few pictures of visitors I had the other evening. I was disappointed because the cardinal picture didn't turn out and every time he came around there was too much activity going on, meaning he didn't stick around. One day soon...I promise I will have the perfect picture of one of my favourite birds. :)

 Blue Jay

They love the peanuts I put out for them!!

 Yellow Finch

These pretty fellows seem to prefer the black oil sunflowers over the niger seed!? 

Wren

You can see her peeking out the 'door'. She makes her home in this old bird house every year. (at least I like to think it is her coming back each year, or maybe it is her daughters returning home to raise their young?) :)

 Chipmunk...he loves the peanuts...heck, he loves it all!!

I love the birds...and my most relaxing time is sitting in my garden with my camera trying to catch all the activity in my own backyard. 

Hummingbird Watching

I love watching the hummingbirds come to our feeders. I have a few fushia baskets, red salvia, diplidenia, million bells and mandevilla around so they are attracted to them too. I was able to capture one of the little ones on camera the other evening! They are a little blurry since I don't have all the fancy gadgets, but you can get an idea. I think it must be the female because you can't see any red on the throat of this ruby-throated hummingbird. :)

 You can see her hovering just above the drinking hole.

Now she takes a few precious sips. 

 Taking a rest on the arbour that the feeder is hanging from.

And resting...all that hovering really poops you out!

I really do love sitting in the courtyard watching these amazing little birds!!