I was sitting on the nature path trying to get some eye level photos when a Sandhill Crane family approached. I thought about standing up to move but often this startles birds because suddenly you are much bigger.
The Queen, a Northern Cardinal, flew over to me on a cold and windy morning. She landed by my boots while I grabbed some snacks for her. She goes with her usual combo, a peanut and a suet nugget.
Birds of the boardwalk! The queen of the boardwalk, a Northern Cardinal, arrives first and selects a pistachio and a suet nugget. She is followed by a Red-winged Blackbird, a hoppy Downy Woodpecker, and a Tufted Titmouse.
A Red-winged Blackbird looking like it's getting a free ride on an Osprey's broomstick. The Blackbird was focused on driving the Osprey away from the marsh, while the Osprey was focused on bringing back a good stick for the nest.
A male Downy Woodpecker arrives at the Hand of Snacks and is promptly joined by the Queen, a Northern Cardinal. She will not be rushed in her selection. A Tufted Titmouse grabs a suet nugget after the Downy departs.
I had great company on the park’s paved path today. The first three Sandhill Cranes are a family, and are followed by a couple on the grass. There’s a big size difference in the couple; I believe one is a Greater subspecies, the other Fun-size (also known as “Lesser”) subspecies.
Every once in a while a bird lands on my hand in a way that I can feel its soft and warm tummy against my fingers. 🥰 A male Red-bellied Woodpecker followed by a Tufted Titmouse.
Very intense!! A female Downy Woodpecker was not interested in sharing one bit. The Black-capped Chickadee who gets their feathers pulled looked to be okay and even comes back for more sunflower seeds! A Tufted Titmouse tries a drop kick to no avail.
Soon after starting my walk I was greeted by the Queen, a Northern Cardinal. She flew up to me and since I didn’t have her snacks ready, she flew back to her perch. I quickly grabbed a handful from my bag. Tufted Titmice and a Downy Woodpecker grab snacks as well.
A shelled peanut is a big beakful for a small songbird. This Tufted Titmouse picks up a peanut but decides that it is up for the big peanut challenge and won’t be denied.
A female Red-bellied Woodpecker stops by the Hand of Snacks to check out the offerings. She first selects a suet nugget but ultimately decides on a peanut.
The male Red-bellied Woodpecker enjoying his yummy breakfast of peanuts and mini suet balls. A Tufted Titmouse darts in to grab a peanut; I guess he was really hungry and didn’t want to wait!
My camera can struggle to focus on my hand at times, so I keep my hand closed until it grabs focus and then I offer food. I was taking too long according to the Tufted Titmice. 😂 A male Downy Woodpecker has his head feathers fluffed up due to all the activity around him.
I’ve been bringing along in-the-shell peanuts for a Blue Jay that likes to stop by the Hand of Snacks. The Tufted Titmice and a Black-capped Chickadee prefer the sunflower seeds.
Like a kid running after the ice cream truck, a Red-bellied Woodpecker hopping after me on the boardwalk in hopes of getting a treat (I gave him a peanut.)
A Christmas Day visit from the lovely female Red-bellied Woodpecker. A few Tufted Titmice and our Black-capped Chickadee friend with the small patch of white feathers on the noggin also stop by.
It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Red-bellied Woodpecker visit! A Black-capped Chickadee quickly grabs a peanut before he arrives. The Woodpecker enjoys a sunflower seed before taking a peanut.
Every once in a while this Red-bellied Woodpecker will hang from my hand instead of perching on it. The tail feathers pressed against the back of my hand give a surprising amount of pressure!