Goldfinches & a Mocking Bird Sighting

We had our first Mockingbird visit of the year today! Mocking birds are VERY special birds to me. My mom had a Mockingbird visit every winter for a few years in a row. She named him Mickey. He would come to the kitchen window and eat the cornmeal/peanut butter/lard balls (forget what they were called) she would put out for him. He LOVED that stuff! And he was just the cutest thing! I absolutely love Mockingbirds, their personalities are priceless. It was so very fitting that this Mocker came by today, being Memorial Day. It really helped me remember my mother. I am so glad it stopped by and shared some of its antics with us. And its singing was just beautiful. It was the loudest bird on our property by far! When I first heard the plethora of bird songs this morning I just knew who was here! I was so excited when I spotted our Mocker. It was so much fun watching it fly around, diving and flying up and flashing its pretty wings. Unfortunately I did not get a pic so hopefully it will return and maybe if we are lucky we will have a nester!

Here are a couple pics of goldfinches in the meantime. Not too great, but now I have them documented! =)

Bird Photography Weekly #36 - Pine Siskins

I looked out the window today to see these birds at my goldfinch feeder. I thought, aw great stupid sparrows learned how to flip upside down...grrr! But then I got out my binoculars and took a closer look. I saw some yellow on the wings...hmmm.....what is that? Not a goldfinch....then Pine Siskin somehow popped into my head, I could just hear my mom say it. I really couldn't picture one for sure so I looked it up. Sure enough, that's what these were! I was so excited, so of course, I ran and got my camera. Boy, I really wish I had a better zoom lens!

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Brown Thrasher

I finally got some pics of my favorite bird right now. I was literally dancing around when I saw my Brown Thrashers had come back this year. I just love their coloring and their bright yellow eyes!

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In Memory

This blog is in memory of my mom, who was called Crissy by her close friends and loved ones. Birding was one of her main passions. I was so fortunate to learn many types of birds as a result of her many, many, MANY backyard bird counts, bird hikes and from listening to her bird tapes. Roger Tory Peterson was a household name, Bird Watcher's Digest was always somewhere to be found as was Living Bird. Binoculars were at every window it seemed. I don't know nearly as many birds as she did, but I know a good amount. I am a bit rusty, but once I re-learn one, I tend to remember. I hope you enjoy my journey to document the birds that I come across and hopefully I will someday catch a photo of a Pileated Woodpecker and capture a shot of a Red-tailed Hawk closeup. For you Mommy, I love you and miss you!