Friday, November 4, 2011

More Fall Excitement

Have you seen the movie Bambi?  Remember the scene when all the birds and animals of the forest gather around to see the new baby?  That's what it feels like while I'm sitting on my patio sometimes, like a magical scene from Bambi. Of course, the birds and animals aren't gathered around me.  They're coming to the sunflower seed and suet feeders despite my presence.  That's actually my favorite interaction, the opportunity to watch them at close range as though I'm invisible.
I didn't have seed and suet feeders out while hummingbirds were migrating earlier in September and October, allowing plenty of space for nectar feeders.  But when the last hummer departed, the quiet and stillness around the patio was too much!  So I hung suet and sunflower seeds one morning and sat outside just to watch and enjoy.  And I was rewarded, Bambi style.

I had not expected the feeder to attract so much attention after so many days of absence, but when seeds are offered, action happens.  The number of chickadees and titmice arriving all at once in a very short time was surprising.  It was also nice to think that some of these foraging chickadees might be the youngsters that fledged from my nest box this past spring.
And then there are the mammals, the chipmunks and squirrels that come around.  I became annoyed with the squirrels in October as I watched them visit the holly bush over and over again, as many as three at a time, stripping it of green berries, sometimes tearing the tip of the limb off to carry away a whole clump.  A day ago, I saw a small cluster of berries that had actually been allowed to turn red.  It's at the end of a long limb at the top and probably hard to reach.  While European holly berries are not a primary food choice for our birds, last winter these clumps of red berries attracted many species, allowing me to enjoy them on our coldest, snowy days in January and February.  But the berries have all been harvested already.  There will be no holly berries this winter to attract birds.  Once that was settled and done, I managed to feel peace again with the squirrels. After all, they have to eat too.
Above you see another character that comes around frequently, especially when the seeds are out.  He/she has given me several laugh-out-loud moments.  Once, she came around the corner of the house, and upon seeing me, bolted in another direction.  I thought she was running away to hide, but instead, she scurried up the leg of the bird bath and perched there taking a long drink.

Another time, I noticed her out of the corner of my eye, and turned my head to get a better look.  Here she came, in my direction, cheeks bulging with food to the max, and an enormous acorn clutched in her mouth.  She was so comical I laughed out loud, which of course, sent her into hiding behind a plant container.  Not too long after that, she reappeared, and continued her path, scampering under my chair as she rounded the corner heading for her burrow.
Among the other birds that visited the sunflower seeds and suet, was this white-breasted nuthatch, above and below.  Ever since I noticed a titmouse holding a dogwood berry with its feet while eating it, I have been fascinated with bird's feet and how they use them.  At the banding station, I also discovered how beautiful they can be, with even their foot pads colorfully matching plumage.  Each bird species has its own unique feet, perfectly designed in size, shape and color to suit the bird's foraging habits and habitat.  The white-breasted nuthatch has enormous and powerful feet attached to that little body!  And these feet are well adapted to clinging and climbing tree trunks as it forages and hides seeds for later consumption.  When I saw the image below, I had the impression of this nuthatch sliding in on roller skates!
In addition to the size of his feet, notice that hefty claw in the back.
I'm currently in the midst of several art projects with very close deadlines, keeping me both close to home and very busy.  And this is good news.  I love creating.  Below, a preview of one of my paintings in a collection called, Autumn Birds.  I'll share more about these projects as I get them completed.
This is also my favorite time of year, a wonderful season to take a break from time to time, just to step outside on these beautiful autumn days and take in the changing colors and the sounds and sights of foraging birds.
Nature in all her beauty!

Links and Resources:

To see a tufted titmouse holding a dogwood berry visit:  It's busy under that Dogwood
More posts on bird feet:  A Nashville Warbler from Head to Toe and Bird Banding and Matters of the Heart.
More autumn posts.
In Time out for Woodpeckers find a red-bellied woodpecker foraging among fall dogwood leaves.

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful painting! I love the photos of the birds and autumn tree also.

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  2. I just literally drawl at your wondrous stories of life in your very back yard and your ability to share them so clearly. Your artwork is the favoured cream on the cake, and so delicious. Many thanks. (Zoe)

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  3. Beautiful, all beautiful. I know what you mean, has been the same here. The Robins have been the biggest hit, hundreds of them, then the Cedar Waxwings arrived and the Starlings all making the most amazing noises a few times a day, it just swells to the best music ever;)

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  4. Beautiful photos. We don't get chipmunks here so that one a special treat. Your Fall birds painting is lovely, can't wait to see more.

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  5. Aren't the nuthatches the ones that go up and down the tree clinging to the bark? No wonder they do so well! You have chipmunks!As far as I know we don't have those. I did get to see 2 tiny flying squirrels last fall very close to my screened porch clinging onto a tree. That was a thrill since they are very difficult to see. I have wondered if they have been there this year gathering the acorns that fall. My herd of squirrels don't bother the holly berries.No idea why. Love your pictures...and that gorgeous tree. Wish I could paint and draw like you. JEALOUS!

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  6. Thank you, Beth. These autumn paintings are fun because there is so much color everywhere!

    Hi, Zoe. Thank you!

    Thank you, Mary! The arrival of all the wintering birds is a blast. I've been enjoying a singing mockingbird lately, though he's not a migrant, just more vocal lately, and today a yellow-rumped warbler and a female bluebird visited the water at the same time!

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  7. Thank you, Gillian. This is the first year I have noticed the chipmunks, though they may have been around longer. They are a real treat, especially because they allow me to see them so close.

    Hey, Jean. Thank you! The nuthatch moves up and down trunks and limbs, often upside down, and very diligently hides seeds under the bark! What a treat to see flying squirrels. That would be a first for me.

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  8. Hoping things stay calm for me so that I can get by your site more regularly. I'm spending more time in SE Pa and NJ where Carolina Chickadees take over from the Black-capped that I see in Vt. But there is overlap, and Black-caps do move south somewhat during winter. Your chickadees at the feeder appear to be Carolina's. Is that right?

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  9. Hi Chris,
    Good to hear from you. Yes, these are Carolina chickadees. We have some overlap in the Smoky Mountains at higher elevations where Black-capped chickadees are also present and some hybrids. But down here in the valley, we only have Carolina Chickadees.

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  10. Trying to catch up on blog reading after a crazy month..Dont think I will ever catch up..but I will start fresh..ha...Love the Robin art and photos!

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