Larry A. Smail's Blog

White-throated Sparrow

I enjoy watching wildlife of all kinds. I enjoy the birds I see while hiking, hunting and fishing. I have actively fed birds for many years. I enjoy setting on the deck and observing how some species tame, while others never truly get used to being close to me.

Pine Siskin…note yellow on wings.

I have a list of all wildlife I see on my property. I have over sixty species of birds observed and identified here. I think that is remarkable! These sightings cover the small Ruby-Throated Hummingbird to the Wild Turkey. I have viewed eagles flying over on several occasions.

Goldfinch

I have been fortunate to get some good photos recently.  For every good photo of birds, I may discard four or five. The birds are constantly moving. The very fraction of a second you take the photo the birds often flutter off or turn their heads.

Mourning Dove

The White-Throated Sparrow has shown up recently. This little sparrow has black, and white stripes on the head. Also, there is a small yellow area between the eye and bill. These distinctions are for the males only. Females are much harder to identify since most female sparrows are indistinct and resemble each other.

Red-Tailed hawk

Tufted Titmouse

The Tufted Titmouse has been seeing their spring calls for a couple of weeks now. These gray birds with a tuft, or crest of feathers on their heads are abundant at my feeder. I have stood in the garage mimicking their calls, only to have the bird come into the garage opening looking for the source.

The Pine Siskin is a small sparrow-like bird. They have a soft call that I enjoy listening to. The distinctive wings identify the specie. They have yellow barbules on their wing feathers.

Male Cardinal

Of course, everyone knows the cardinal. This is one specie that does not appreciate being close to me, I have been hearing their spring calls for about a month.  The brilliant reds of the males is a sight to see.

Mourning doves frequent my feeders. I have lost two to hawk predation in recent weeks that I am aware of. Their mating coos will soon be heard all over.

Chickadee

The Chickadee is a sweet little bird. Many times while hunting I have been entertained by the woodland antics as they sweep from branch to branch, often hanging upside down.

Screech Owl

As normal, I have screech owls inhabiting the box I erected many years ago. I see, both, the grey and red color phases here. Every year they produce baby owlets.