Paper Bark Birch

Yesterday the weather finally warmed up- it was the warmest day we'd seen since January 28th- which was warmer :o None the less, it FELT warm after days of temperatures in the 40's and lower!
So we all went outside to wash the car (all that salt and snow dirt) and I had hoped to do some gardening, but parts of the garden beds I wanted to clear were still covered in snow.


Instead I settled in the front garden and drew a picture of our paperbark birch. A friendly mockingbird stopped by for a short visit and I draw him in ;)

The bark on this tree peels off, and was once popular with European Hornets, although we have not seen them for the last couple of years. I think I blogged about them before :)

Red Winged Blackbird

Red Winged Blackbird
Originally uploaded by Spinneretta

I had to get some more photos of birds recently- so many of my others were not quite good enough- the bird was not in a good position or there was snow in the way... so yesterday, when this fellow appeared, I grabbed my camera and got a few good shots.
He has not got his summer plumage yet- his 'epaulette' is still kind of yellowy, with just a flash of red at the top.
Since it was warmer, he is not as puffed up as my other birds, and his glossy plumage was certainly challenging to capture :)
A mockingbird and some starlings accompanied him on the feeder- although I like the mockingbird, I was not too thrilled with the others (or the squirrel that seems to think I have provided him with a free lunch).
I am definitely looking forward to some spring!!

Pine Warbler

Anniversary Pine Warbler
Originally uploaded by Spinneretta

This is not a certain identification of the bird by any means- but this bird and the previous one are new visitors to our feeder. This one actually comes every winter, and was initially mistaken for a goldfinch because of it's bright yellow colouration.
we eventually figured out that it was not a goldfinch changing it's feathers, but something else- and it was at the suggestion of someone else that I think it is a warbler. I keep mis-calling it a 'siskin' but checking it in my book it most definitely is NOT!

Myrtle Warbler (Feeder bird #3)

Myrtle Warbler (Feeder bird #3)
Originally uploaded by Spinneretta

Or at least that is what I have tentatively identified it as. It and the pine warbler are not regular visitors to the feeder under usual circumstances, but what with the snow recently, these two are seen somewhat regularly!

Cardinal

Cardinal
Originally uploaded by Spinneretta

I am planning a series of pictures of birds at our feeder in the snow... this is the second bird- the cardinal was below the feeder.
I have seen quite a few new birds with our recent snows. Two warblers (a Pine Warbler and a Myrtle Warbler) are not common feeder visitors at all!!
I have plans to draw them too :)

Bluebird

Bluebird
Originally uploaded by Spinneretta

It's that time of year again- the bluebirds are house hunting!
Two males visited our feeder this week- and were unable to get the food in our 'squirrel proof' feeders. I was upset- the place we bought the feeder from had assured me that the bluebirds would fit. Not so people!!
So I adjusted the feeder a little, and in the meantime got a number of photos of the birds- allowing me to draw them :)

We have had quite a bit of snow this winter- which means my bird photos have been quite good- I'll be back later to share some :)