[Brenda]

Beautiful shots deerjohn! I too have several Red-bellied who frequent my suet bricks. We also have several Pileated on the property, but I more often hear them than see them.

[backpacker]

These were taken with my new lens:

[Matt]

excellent shots!

[chris270]

Like the Junco shot, just wish it was taken at a faster shutter speed for some sharpness.

[backpacker]

Thanks Matt

Chris when I took the picture the Junco was on the bar, thus the focus was there.
the picture stats are:
focal length 210mm
F stop 5.3
shutter speed 1/640 sec
Iso 400

[chris270]

Ahhh, sucker took off on ya.

[ShanaD]

Those are great shots! I think I am starting to like birds, the little ones, the big ones still scare me. I like it when they are still, the flying thing and swooping down thing and when they land on me makes me uncomfortable. But watching them from behind glass is totally do-able. Maybe we should get a feeder?

[Brenda]

You could also just hang a few suet blocks. I buy from these folks: http://pinetreefarmsinc.com/newsite/ They're good people, I trust their products, and I like to support upstate businesses. Lord knows, there aren't many employment opportunities in Interlaken, and they've provided jobs for a number of the locals by starting this business.

[Brenda]

Well, I've come to the realization that, given my equipment limitations, the only hope I have of catching any photos of birds this winter is through my office window.

Male White-breasted Nuthatch (You talkin' to me?):

[Brenda]

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker

[Brenda]

A few more from the lunchtime rush:

Male Red-bellied (pardon the poo)


Mourning Doves (an underrated species in my opinion)


I finally sneaked up on a Blue Jay!

[chris270]

Nice pics...usually Blue Jays can be very shy. Love the red-bellied shots, had one chopping wood near me as I walked along mendon ponds trails.

[Brenda]

Thanks Chris. I can't get them as crisp as I would like, and the angle is limited shooting through my office window, but without a decent zoom...You're right, the Jays are particularly wary. The suckers watch me at my desk while they feed on the suet and if I even look like I'm getting up...gone! I only caught that one because he was down below the window on the seed block and I crept up on him.

[Brenda]

A few more from today:

Sharing lunch


Male Hairy Woodpecker


Male Downy Woodpecker

[Brenda]

While enjoying my coffee this morning, I had four bluebirds feeding at my flowering crabapple tree outside my living room window at the same time! Of course, as soon as I picked up the camera...it would have been a lousy shot anyway. But, now that I know they're around...