This is a new section about birds!  I'll post photos and give some info about each bird that I've "captured".  Part of my photography obsession involves these wonderful creations of God!

I'm told that blue jays were nearly wiped out in our area by West Nile virus about 6 years ago. I'm happy to announce...they are back!  I sat on my back porch one day and witnessed flocks of them screeching through the air, back and forth for about 2 weeks...an awesome sight!

Blue jays' personalities could probably be described as obnoxious.  They're bullies at the feeder and very territorial.  Their appearance, however, is nothing short of gorgeous!  They are bold and strong and beautiful...but that's just my opinion.

My kids quickly learned to identify the jays raucous screams.  They always sound that way.  How proudly they'll exclaim, "That's a blue jay.  Do you hear it?"

Blue jays and other jays play a big role in keeping trees growing.  They plant acorns, pecans, and other nuts by burying them, assuring plenty of trees for the future.

I got a really good picture of a blue jay last year.  This spring, I decided my mission was to get an equally good photo of a cardinal.  I hung over the back fence, quietly with my camera in hand, patiently...stalking this cardinal.  He lives somewhere nearby.  I know because he comes to visit EVERY DAY!  I would miss him if he decided not to show up someday.

As soon as I snapped this one, my quest commenced for the female.  They are so different!  I snapped a few blurry shots before I got the one below.  I'm still not satisfied.  As soon as I get the perfect snapshot, I'll post it here.  You have to see her beautiful colors!

Many of our friends have commented how cardinals are their favorite birds.  They stay with the same mate for life! That is amazing!  I hope this couple sticks around here for awhile and makes themselves at home.

The photo on the right is a female, brown-headed cowbird...I think.  I searched for weeks trying to identify it and I'm still not totally sure I've come up with the right answer.  But we'll proceed in this section, with this bird.  If it turns out that I've misidentified it, I'll change the photo.  On that note, I will continue to tell you how to identify different types of cowbirds.

Way back when shaggy bison roamed the country in huge numbers, and cattle were much fewer, the cowbird was known as the buffalo bird.  Flocks hung out wherever buffalo congregated.  The reason for the attraction?  Food, just as it is with cattle today.

As they lumber along, grazing beasts stir up millions of insects from the grass.  Nimble cowbirds scoot among those heavy hooves to scoop up the insects.  You may also spot cowbirds perched on the animals' heads or backs, searching for ticks or other tasty insects.

A quick flip through any field guide will clue you in to just how abundant these majestic creatures are.  I am glad!  I often ask my husband to take us out for a countryside drive, just so we can see some.  I'll tell you though, it's hard to get a good snapshot off when we keep driving! LOL!

I've collected a few (not so close-up) photos of different kinds of hawks.  The first one below is a red-tail that landed on the telephone pole in my backyard!  What a treat!  I was so excited that I took the photo from inside the house at my desk! Afterward, I feared for my dogs...only about 10 pounds each.  They could have been lunch!

Last spring, our neighbor cut down an old tree in his yard.  I thought, "Oh!  That opens things up a bit, more sunshine reaches my yard.  Good!"  This spring, I realized what a good thing it was for a budding photographer like myself.  Our woodpeckers seem to be very attracted to what is left of that tree and the one in our (other) neighbors' yard.  Why is that good for me?  It's easier for me take pictures, of course!

The photos posted on this page are of Downys.  The male has a red patch on the back of his head and the female doesn't.  I've been fortunate enough to photograph both.  I also had the distinct pleasure of "capturing" (on camera) a red-headed woodpecker.  He landed on the telephone pole in my backyard one day, then proceeded to the tree I spoke of earlier, as if he were contemplating building a nest.  He hasn't been back since.  Guess he decided against it.  Too bad.

My Backyard Bird Lover's Field Guide says, "It's tricky to get close enough to most wood warblers to snap a picture, but yellow warblers are a much easier subject.  They seem to have no fear of people, and will allow you to approach closely."  I beg to differ!  They flit from branch to branch so quickly that I was surprised to get off any shots at all.  The male is so bright yellow that you can't miss him, but he is fast!  The females are a paler yellow, but so pretty and soft-looking.

The pics on this page were taken in my backyard (where else?).  There's a little, newer tree that has small branches for these tiny birds to perch on right at the back of the yard.  In the spring, during what I assume is either mating season or migration, they are abundant...making the tree seem as if it's taking on a life of its own!