September Sights

 September is a tough month. Only the most hardy of living things can take the heat and drought of this summer.

The Sedum did well.

 If I could remember the name of this beautiful garden flower I would say...it's a good one to have!

I know someone out there will help me out with the name of this plant!

 I've been very careful to keep my favorite ferns watered and happy.

 And these wild Beautyberries have spread under the Black Gum tree!

 What would September be without the crazy antics of the Hummingbirds...

 ...yelling at me to fill the feeders...

 ...and keeping a watchful eye!

Summer is surely coming to an end.

Yesterdays Birds

 It's a crazy time here in the woods. There are so many migrants and summer birds showing up I don't know which way to look!

Most are so high up in the trees or move so fast it's hard to photograph, but blurry photos or not, I can't resist posting.



Palm Warbler



Summer Tanager



Mamma Eastern Bluebird (there's 5 little ones in the box)



Chipping Sparrow

 

Black and White Warbler (female)

 

My sweet little Tufty

 

And a very mouthy Yellow-rumped Warbler



What a noisy place it's been around here lately!!



Late Winter Birds

It's been pretty nice here lately at Sunny Side Up and I've been raking and moving plants around the yard and just haven't had the camera out as much as I should. Now I could tell you the truth and say that most of the pictures I've been taking are horrible and I just don't have anything nice to post but I'm pretty sure none of you want to hear that! 

So here are a couple of my little feathered friends looking for sunflower seed in the garden. 



Carolina Chickadee

 

American Goldfinch

   

Tufted Titmouse



Hope you all have sweet bird songs in your gardens!

Great Eagles and Fine Folks

 What a wonderful day to take advantage of the sights that the Dam in Guntersville has to offer! The sun was out and the snow beginning to melt, so I grabbed my camera and bins and headed down the mountain.

As I came to the parking lane I saw the groups of folks with their binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras all trained toward the eagle nest or landing spot.

These ladies were over by the water looking for birds in flight no doubt.

 The main focus is this old dead tree. A perfect landing spot for the Eagles as they change duties from sitter to hunter...or for Bluebirds who sneak in when no one is looking!

 After some time we noticed Mrs. Eagle getting antsy and sure enough here came Mr. Eagle to take her place and give her a break. You can just see him behind the trees coming in for a landing.

 Making the turn to the nest. Can you see Momma below waiting somewhat patiently.

 After a few minutes of debate on which way to go she headed toward us...

 ...made a turn...

 ...and was gone.

 Leaving Papa to try to figure out how he got himself into this mess.

 I've met some wonderful fine folks in my group and some that I'm seeing each time I head down the mountain to visit the Eagles. I even made some new friends today AND met (finally) in person, someone who's pictures I've admired quite a bit for some time!

 While we were mostly focused on the Eagles we did see and hear a number of birds in the trees including Brown-headed Nuthatches and this Yellow-rumped Warbler.

 One of the other groups in the distance.

 A young feller keeping up with his dad in the truck! Just for fun!

 AH! Here's my group! I'm liking this bunch and hope I can run into them more often! You can see the landing tree in the distance.

 I bid my farewell, hoping that I wasn't the jinx that was keeping the Eagles from showing up more often, but I'm pretty sure it was me! Down the way there is another spot I know and I snuck in to see what I could see.

Not too much, but this sweet Yellow-rump or Butter Butt as some call them.

 A lone House Finch...

 And one of just a few Cedar Waxwings.

 What I was really hoping for was a Loggerhead Shrike sitting on a post, but there was none to be had.

 With the moon on the rise I decided to head home.

All in all it was a very good day!

Winter Birding

With the snow comes lots of birds looking for easy treats and I've been enjoying their company. I've heard a few thumps on the windows but no casualties. 

 It's snowing again this morning and I'm getting some not so common visitors for my woodsy yard.

Yesterday this Chipping Sparrow showed up. They more prefer my field down by the road.

   

Also yesterday a group of young Red-winged Blackbirds showed up and this morning an immature Common Grackle. All very common in my barren yard up north but not so much here in the woods.

Yard list today:

American Goldfinch

House Finch

Pine Siskin

Pine Warbler

Common Grackle

Red-wing Blackbird

Tufted Titmouse

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Carolina Chickadee

Cardinal

Chipping Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

White-breasted Nuthatch

Dark-eyed Junco
Mourning Dove

Hope I didn't forget anyone...time to put out more seed!

Tryin to catch an Eagle

Today is Morgan's last day of vacation so we ran some errands and then scooted over to the Dam in Guntersville to see if we could see the Bald Eagle couple that are nesting there.

We didn't see a lot of birds but caught this pair of Great Blue Herons above.

We had a big rain this past week and the water was high. 

The water was obviously a lot higher than today. This log must have floated up the ramp and then got wedged along the fence!

Luckily we met a nice fellow who let us sneak in his viewing spot to see one of the Eagles on the nest.

We didn't stick around too long to see the other Eagle come along, because we had to get home.

Can you see that little white head up in the tree?

Since I live about 5 minutes from this spot, I could probably get down here again soon.

Thanks Larry and Debbie for sharing your spot!

Whoop Whoop!!!

Today we hit the road and went to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama to see what we cold see.

The sun was shining and the birds were out.

The big birds that is! 

 There were many Sandhill Cranes and if you've never heard them you must look that up.

What a great sound they make.

Check it out here.

But really the best part of the day was seeing the Whooping Cranes mingled in with the Sandhill.

There were two. We were in an observatory building and at quite a distance. These pictures are taken through a glass window and heavily cropped.

What a great day! 

Whoop Whoop!!!

The Confused Bluebird!

No honey...you're not a Martin...but it's ok, you're welcome to stay!

Creeper Camo

When I opened the door yesterday to check on the Nuthatches and Titmice at the feeder I noticed something a little different climbing up one of the trees.
A little camouflaged Brown Creeper!



They are not the easiest birds to spot but sure are special to find since they are not as common as many other birds in my woods.

 

They also don't hold very still so these photos are the best I could get.  They are however, much better than the ones I got last year at this time of this little Brown feller.

 

When I turned around I noticed something not so camouflaged.



One of my two beautiful Camellias is beginning to bloom.

 



When I turned around again, I saw other non-camo garden beauties.

 

This little Harvestman was doing his best not to be seen...



...but not these Salvia. (I'm pretty sure they are Salvia but if I'm wrong please feel free to let me know).

 

The Redbud seed pods stand out a little bit.

 

And this Dogwood is hanging on til the bitter end!