Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Today is my Mom's birthday and to celebrate we can look at some of the photos I took at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary which my Mom said I absolutely could not miss.  It was a great preserve and possibly the longest boardwalk I've hiked.

Feeder Time

Now that the pine tree has lost half it's branches we get a lot more sun on the birdfeeders.  Most of my birds are acclimated to my camera leaning out the bedroom window through my vertical Blind.  Some of them more than others.  It took over a year for the Red-bellied Woodpecker to allow this and the Hermit Thrush, who just appeared two days ago, was having none of it.  So he's shot through the window and during the snow storm.  But the rest were shot in the brilliant, pine treeless sunshine.  The snow makes a great light reflector.

Red-bellied

The best thing about moving the bird feeder is that now it's in the sun for at least part of the day.  That makes it so much easier to get decent shots.  This Red-bellied is my favorite.  I recognize his call now so I always know when he's here.  Hopefully he'll start bringing a lady around sometime soon. 

Experimentation

This Red-bellied Woodpecker visits my feeder every day.  He's very beautiful but more skittish than the other birds.  As a result most of my photos of him are through the window.  This is the result of my experiments editing in Camera Raw.  I wouldn't try to print it but you have to start somewhere.

Red Heads

Super uninspiring weather today so here's a couple images from recent days past.  Maybe the sun will come out again but it looks like we may have to wait until Friday. 

Four Years

We've been living here for just over four years now.  That officially makes this the longest Matt and I have lived anywhere since we were married.  The kitchen is way too small but the "back yard" has so much to offer. 

Heinz Roundup

Palm Warbler

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Chickadee

Mourning Dove

Eastern Towhee

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Phoebe

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Just a few of the birds I've seen at Heinz this month. 

More from the Bird Feeder

I had a second Red-bellied Woodpecker visit my feeder.  This one has a considerable gap in his red head feathers.  Not sure if this is typical juvenile plumage or something more irregular.  (update: looks like she is a female Red-bellied Woodpecker.)

 

Red-bellied Woodpecker

I keep trying to get good photos of this Red-bellied Woodpecker.  He visits my feeder now and then.  He is pretty alert to movement at the window so this is my best shot.  This shot does show off his red tinted belly quite nicely.  Something I don't ordinarily notice what with his gorgeous red head stealing the show.