Closing the Book on 2007

Here it is, Christmas Eve and 2007 is drawing to a close. This year has been very different for me. I haven't done many of the things that I normally do - I haven't birded very much - I haven't even worked much (Ok, that's a trick as I retired in June!).

Most of 2007 has been spent working on the cabin that will soon become my home and studio as a naturalist. One lesson that I've learned in 2007 is that building a cabin is hard work especially in that I'm usually not very handy, but I do enjoy hard work.



As I've thought about all that I've done this past year, I realize that to get the things that I want, I have to work at it - to stretch myself inorder to reach my goals. And so I'm closing 2007 with this recent photo from my feeders as a reminder to me that one needs to stretch to reach their goals .

Before this last wintry blast of snow and cold, I had a chance to get some pictures of a few of my other "regulars" at the cabin feeder. I put out a limited number of whole peanuts (available in bulk from Hampton Farms) for the Blue Jays. I limit the amount to a couple of handfuls at a time becuase they tend to cart them off to stash for later.

When they get through with the peanuts, they start in on whole corn before picking through the black oilers. Although, if its not too cold, they will crack open the oilers one at a time for a snack!

I also have a large flock of Black Capped Chickadees in a nearly continuous parade to the feeders during day light. I'd estimate that there are about 20 that zoom in one at a time, take one oiler and go off to break it open to eat in solitude before returning for another.





The suet feeder is fairly new. The chickadees will also sample the suet if it is going to be colder. Unfortunately, they have to share the suet with the nuthatches and woodpeckers. The Pileated Woodpeckers don't stop by regularly, but there are almost always both Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers making short work of the suet that I put out.






Here is a female Downy waiting her turn for the suet. This was taken the same day that the Pileated was pigging out on the suet. Fortunately, the cost for suet is much cheaper than the lard with seeds mixed in that places seem to sell all winter long.

This week, (once I can travel up to the cabin), I'll put out some of a peanust butter-fat mixture to see how that goes over.

Woodpeckers and Suet

Earlier this winter, I built a wire basket and hung up some beef suet. I figure the birds could use a little fat to get them through winter! Of course, it attracted the chickadees and nuthatches along with Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. But by far, my favorite has been the Pileated Woodpecker who stopped by this week to dine.

They're pretty hard to miss when they stop by being nearly 2 foot long/tall! This is a male as noted by its red moustache stripe.

BTW the most interesting sight feeding on fat this winter has been three Bald Eagles sparring with a group of Ravens for a road kill white-tailed deer.

New Bird at feeders

While working this week (on window sills and trim), I happened to look up and see a new bird at the back feeders.

I've been wonder why the seeds are disappearing as fast I put them out. And here I thought it was due to the wintry weather!

Unfortunately, the cabin is in a "no bait/feed" area for deer due to bovine TB so I won't be able to lure them away to their own feeding station.

Ah well, up north living. . . .