New visitor to entertain us

So, I'm now fully convinced that the bird in one of my earliest posts for this blog was actually a cowbird.  We had four of them today in the yard and after some silly prancing with wings wide open, one of them hung around for a long time at our millet and black oil sunflower seed feeder.  Long enough for the kids and I to enjoy in the backyard swing and for me to snap a few photos.  What pretty sounds they made--reminded me of a smaller version of the sound of the Oropendula from Costa Rica.

Someone needs to wipe those little millet seeds off his beak.  It's kind of embarrassing the lack of table manners ; ) 

Seriously, we haven't seen the Towhee family in a week.  There have been turkey vultures and other vultures circling all over town.  We still have plenty of cardinals, finches, mourning doves, sparrows, and chickadees.  Every couple days a group of red wing blackbirds shows up.  I haven't seen as many woodpeckers lately and no one special like an Oriole in quite a while.  Can't wait to see Spring birds!

Birds in a zoo-zany experience

This is an "Out of My Way" kind of moment!

Had the opportunity to take the kids to the small, but charming, Columbia, SC Riverbanks Zoo this weekend in between rainy days.  We hadn't been there in almost a year, and it was a nice return.  We had some funny bird antics on display.

The flamingos were hilarious strutting their stuff, showing off wings!

Come on, who doesn't get a kick out of orangey-red birds with backward knees?!?

These vultures looked a bit sad and pathetic on their perch.

Up close, they were actually cute?  Who knew? 

Highlight of every zoo trip--The Lorikeets : )

Turkey, we mean, "Chicken" Vultures

Well, my daughter and I were driving close to the Savannah River on Sand Bar Ferry Road when it seemed as though there were dozens of vultures swirling in the sky.  We couldn't stop for a closer look at what some were fighting over on the side of the road because I needed to stop for gas and food, but on the way back I pulled over and we clicked some photos.  It was the closest we had ever been to these big birds.

 As soon as I went to the other side of the road it was funny to see most of them quickly fly off.  What a bunch of chickens!  Only 3-4 hung on a bit longer, but they still wouldn't let me get within 25 feet.  Still can't decide if they are ugly birds or note.

I know, I know, it's pretty gross.  But look at the stance of the vulture near the deer carcass.  He's like, "What?  You want a piece of this?  Come and get it, tough gal!"  Two seconds later he flew away, too.  My daughter was upset about the deer, though it had most likely been hit by a car.

It definitely feels like February now!

It was a bit of a frustrating day today for the kids and I.  The day was grey and a bit too cool to be comfortable without a warm jacket, but not nice enough a day to want to be outside.  We waited for people for an appointment and they never showed.  They got tired and crabby and started bickering and it just got worse as everyone started getting tired.  The only bright spot was remembering that we had caught sight of the Sapsucker Woodpecker at the suet feeder, so big and bright and beautiful.

Also having some peaceful spy moments through the seemingly one-way glass in our diningroom.  We've had a number of mornings now where the kids and I hear peeping to peak and find a Mourning Dove, a cardinal, or this little guy here having a quiet snack.

Before the temperature dropped again...

We had fun watching the Mockingbird yesterday.  The temperatures rose to the high 70s and I napped in the backyard swing while my son and his friend watched the birds through the telescope and my daughter played in the sand.  Up close, I realized the Mockingbird has been somewhat underrated in our house.  Even though they are "common", up close they are a very sleek and beautiful bird.  It's also one of the few birds that will keep the squirrels away ; )

We love this little Kinglet who has been frequenting the suet feeder.  He is so quick and flits all over the place and is the only bird who is usually still in flight even when eating.  I had only ever seen hummingbirds do that before. We're still hoping to see the Tufted Titmouse, Oriole, and Cedar Waxwings again.  But, we're content with the Kinglet and Brownheaded Nuthatch.

 So, we also saw the Carolina Chickadee as usual.  It's rather difficult to snap a photo of him since he usually swoops in, takes just one seed, and then flies quickly to the top of trees.  But, yesterday was one of the few times that I saw two Chickadees close to each other, with only 1 foot between them on the same branch, even if for a minute it was special.  Isn't this one cute just peaking out of the feeder?

Birds birds and more birds...Awesome!

Male Towhee on our backyard fence.

Didn't think it was going to be a birdwatching day after the kids and I came home from school rather tired today.  The plan had been to wash the car and rake the pine straw.  Instead it was a catch the bunnies before the rain comes tonight, refill bird feeders, then reap the reward sitting in the backyard swing and watching the action.  It was fantastic!  This was all we could catch in the blur of birds in the hour outside.

Yellow Warbler so close to us!!!

The kids were astounded at the male Redwing Blackbird...so big and beautiful!

I think this is a Brown-Headed Nuthatch.  Can anyone verify???

Happy to see this one again, not sure, but think he is a Yellow Rumped Warbler.  Help?

As awesome as the afternoon was for birding, sad that we didn't catch a glimpse of the Tufted Titmouse.  We are dying to snap a photo of him!  Thanks for reading, everyone : )