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| Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
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| Indigo Bunting |
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| Male Eastern Bluebirds |
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| Male Eastern Bluebird |
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| American Robin |
Robins love the Crabapples this time of year!
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| Black-capped Chickadee |
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| Male and Female Northern Cardinals |
Rose hips are a favorite of the Cardinals.
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| Male Northern Cardinal |
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Male Scarlet Tananger
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| Blue-headed Vireo |
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| Immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
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| Migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbird sipping very late blooming Lilac |
Now that we have stepped firmly into 2011, I wish to take on the stance of Janus and look back, as I look forward, to glean through archives of mostly 2010. Several posts will illustrate the flora and fauna that visit or live in the gardens, with one or two being from 2009 archives . . . the year I began blogging. I will be sharing more birds with you . . . here you will see birds in flight and alight . . . both in being settled and by chance, as all of my photos are captured in that serendipitous way. All of these wondrous birds are captured here at Flower Hill Farm throughout the seasons in their habitat of choice. I have no bird feeders, but my garden and forest do feed my feathered friends year round. I never feel alone in the gardens, for there are always little black eyes watching me. The photos I take are always by chance. After years of working the land and gardens many birds have honored me by taking up residency. All I have to do to get portraits these days is to get out into the gardens. Some magical encounter usually happens. The key is to have my camera! I hope you are enjoying embarking on this new year and that these images bring you joy. Thank you so much for all of the warm New Year Greetings! The upcoming post will offer Bird Duets . . . both dueling and in more amorous moods.
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36 comments:
That gravity-defying (wings closed) blue-headed vireo (I think) made me laugh! It's looks like it is levitating! Gorgeous photos!
Thank you, Carol... those photos did bring me joy! I love the chickadee and vireo with the berries. They are all wonderful.:)
Your pic of the Indigo Bunting is stunning. STUNNING! The most blue I get around here is in Lazuli buntings.
Excellent! Love the blues, and all the rest.
What a wonderful opportunity you have there in front of you. Most of these birds I will never have the chance to see in person.....
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Your effort in your gardens have done well for our flying friends. Glad you have that camera ready ... beautiful photos.
Such glorious pictures of your local birds. Here we often see the indigo bunting, for which I grab my camera to take pictures of. I must admit that I am so envious of the cardinal pictures--we don't get cardinals here. Happy New Year, Carol. cheers. ann
Carol,
The last photo is amazing KUDOS!
Hoping 2011 will be an awesome year for you and yours!
Amazing photos, Carol! I especially love the first hummingbird photo. Nice stop action there.
Oh, look at all this gorgeous, lush greenery and cute little birdies. (And, fab photos, of course.) I definitely needed this after sloshing back from the barn in icky wet snow.
Happy New Year, Carol. Delightful pics, as always! :)
Hi Carol,
I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful birds that visit your garden.I love the indigo bunting as I have never seen one before-maybe if our winters keep getting milder they will move further north.
Last year someone on the Island had a cardinal in their garden- I would love to spot one here.
Carolyn
You've created quite the garden where all feel welcome! Your shots are so peaceful - I think the hummers are my favorites.
Love the Indigo Bunting and the Chickadee is adorable. It's wonderful that your garden has attracted so much wildlife!
Carol, what are the fruits the Robins are swarming all over, are they crabapples? We don't have feeders either. Being in the woods, that would just attract hoards of rodents, so we don't offer seed. Like you, we're striving to ensure that our wild creatures, including our feathered friends, have food available via our plantings instead. By the way, your indigo buntings are beautiful. Our only blue colored birds around here are Stellers Jays, rather brash, loud and thuggish birds compared to most here.
I had the same reaction as Eliza. The bird looked like he was floating. These are really beautiful shots. You have amazing patience. And the birds come by only what is planted. That is so wonderful.
Beautiful bird pics again! If you plant it, they will come, right :-) You've inspired me to try to be a little more diligent about trying to get some bird pictures. Do love that "floating" vireo :-) Always feels like springtime when the flocks of robins come through.
Well, just fine! Now I really feel inadequate. Your photos, this time are too good. Really, they are nice and I thank you for the inspiration to try harder.
Thank you! Thank You!! I love the birds but all of your words are pure joy to me too. I so appreciate your sharing these wonders of nature with me.
Clare and Everyone, I do have many shrubs and plants that feed the birds . . . the Crabapples are a favorite at this time of year. They become like ornaments in the trees. This one is right outside my studio so I can sneak up slowly to the window to capture them before they all fly away. I bought the trees so long ago and at first they were for other purposes to do with my flower arranging career. I wish I could tell you the variety but I cannot.
Thank you so much for making this post more special to me. Best Wishes for the New Year!
I love your bird photos. We get most of these except for the Indigo Bunting, which is sooo beautiful.
Beautiful! Those are really wonderful shots! Why are the birds that colorful? Over here, the only colorful bird I see is the kingfisher.
Carol, how wonderful that you feed the birds by simply encouraging nature. Although I understand the attraction of bird feeders sometimes I think we don't do them any favours that way. Obviously providing a natural habitat has worked well for you as you've captured many beautiful moments with your camera.
Wonderful blog!!!
Happy new year
Mil saludos desde España
I've observed all of these birds in natural settings, including my backyard, but my eyes are not so fast as your camera--thanks for the pix.
Ecological Gardening
Åh.. Carol I realy love your birdphotos.. so lovely and you have so many birds I never seen before, thank you for a beatiful and interesting blog. I hope 2011 will be a happy year for you and your family. Happy new year.. Hug/Moa
Hello Carol
The photographs in this post are truely amazing and awe inspiring, you have captured the birds in all their glory, wishing you all the best for 2011, i have also booked marked you site on my tumblr account so that others may get the pleasure of seeing these wonderful pictures.
Humming bird pictures keep getting better and better. The bluebird I have never seen before.
Lovely pictures. I wish we had Humming Birds over here...they are so appealing.
Incredible photographs! I find birds so difficult to photograph especially in flight. Yours are amazing. I love hummingbirds so those are my favorite but the bunting is a close second. Their coloring is so intense.
Hi Carol, Great post with amazing pictures. Love the blue once. Thanks for sharing the best moment in garden.
Carol,
Seeing the birds busy in your garden makes me feel happy for you. I know that during the winter you miss your gardens, while they are virtually asleep, but reading that the birds are like "company comin'" made me smile! I've always viewed an occasional glimpse of hummingbirds outside my window as a "gift", but from now on I'll simply see them as visitors, always welcome. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos of your feathery friends.
Mimi
Hi Carol, I can't go away to my New Zealand holiday without checking into your blog, that never fails to bring absolute delight. (the next best thing to actually Being There). happy new year, cheers, catmint
Such fantastic photos! Loved seeing the pretty birds!
Brenda
I never fail to be blown away by your beautiful images. The second last shot is probably my favorite because of its pure simplicity.
So lovely, Carol. The last 2 hummingbird photos remind me of fine botanical prints.
You really know how to capture those birds in flight. And, an indigo bunting? I have only seen them once around here. Blue gemstones on wings.
Fabulous images! You should check out the NYT Science section from yesterday. There was a fascinating article on bird flight, including hummingbirds.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/science/04birds.html?_r=1&ref=science
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