Naturally Speaking: Word must have gotten out...

...that birdseed is once again available in the backyard.

I usually fill the bird feeders, 2 of them for now, every weekend. With the bad weather we've been having, it was hard to get back to where the feeders are located. The snow was either too deep or it was too icy.

I actually missed seeing the birds flying about, so I braved the wilds :) and hazardous walking conditions, and made my way out to the back and filled up the feeders. I laughed at myself all the way. I had a 40lb bag of bird seed on my back and was trying to keep my balance to keep from tipping over as I "high stepped" my way to the feeders. Lord only knows what anyone who saw me must have thought.

After about 2 weeks, the usual suspects were there, flitting about, grabbing seeds and flying off again. At week three, the Jays made an appearance, which prompted the previous posting.
Finally, there were so many birds flying about, I spent almost then entire day getting shots of them. I was really surprised at some of those that showed up, for, birdseed? But it was fun watching them all.

There was a waiting line for this feeder as the finches had taken all the spots.

As I think I mentioned in the post on the Blue Jays, I don't get to see much of them. Even more elusive are the Cardinals. It's like they know I want to get a picture of them and the purposely stay out of site. I can hear them just fine, but can't spot them or get a clear shot of them. They almost seem to mess with me in that when they do show themselves, I stand there at the window wondering if they'll stay until I can get a good picture. Of course, when I raise my camera, poof! They disappear. So I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I probably would never get a really good picture of one. That is, until now.

I think they may have either felt a little sorry for me or they were that hungry.

I'm going with the hunger...

Although I was able to get quite a few pictures of them, they always seemed to perch with a branch or something between them and me.

Then this little lady very nicely posed for a picture.

These are my favorites, they always are willing to pose for a picture...

They don't seem to be at all bashful. If anything, it's almost like they see the camera and get closer and closer until...

I was really surprised by the crows. They usually turn up their beaks at bird seed.

These pictures don't do them justice. Their feathers are irridesent, blues and greens with a touch of red/purple that you can just make out when you see them up close and in person