I managed
Blackcap at the Garden Feeder
to get a half-decent Blackcap shot this morning. It was dull, the camera tried to use flash, then a Robin chased it off. But somehow I got a usable image. It’s a very distinctive bird to say that it’s basically grey.
As I started to type this, Julia called me through to see a Jay. I grabbed her camera (it is better than mine for this sort of thing because it has a rangefinder – mine only has a screen) and was lucky to get three shots of a Jay at the ground feeder.
Of course, the card was still in the computer. All I got was a message “No Card in Camera” when I reviewed what I had done.
I’m sure it will be back. And next time I will be ready. The bird feeders are already producing more than I could have hoped for – more species, more fun, more interest, more excitement and, of course, more frustration and more Senior Moments.
Little Egret – this wasn’t far away, but it may be over-ambitious to try to tempt it to the garden.
The squirrel was on the feeder first thing this morning, and things have got to the state where it merely looks at me disdainfully when I knock on the window.
One thing that helps it get to the seeds is the positioning of one of the arms on the main feeder pole. That will be moved. It may be enough to stop the raids on the seeds. However, experience suggests it won’t be.
I’m happy to let it feed on the bread and other scraps on the floor (which include apple, cabbage, stale scones and some old dried fruit), but I object to it taking loads of expensive seeds, spilling them on the floor and keeping the birds away. If anything, it does good work on the floor by making sure there is nothing left for rats, plus, as I’ve said before – squirrels are part of the garden wildlife, and quite interesting, so it is welcome, as long as it behaves.
A Peacock once turned up on the farm (seen here with guinea fowl) so you never know what might happen.
I’ve been observing its movements, and had isolated a number of places where I could put vaseline and chilli. Unfortunately, as the feeder becomes more popular, the birds are starting to perch there too, as they wait for a turn for the seeds. I don’t want to make a mess of their plumage so it looks like I’m going to have to postpone the use of the vaseline.
My next move, if the repositioning doesn’t work, will be mixing seed with spice and see if that keeps it away.
Very nice to have birds. I hope the variety increases as they learn that you are putting out feed.
A very nice collection of birds. I imagine the variety will increase as they learn that you are there.
Yes, I think you are right. We had a good variety when we used to feed them as part of the farm project, and evey so often there ould be a surprise.
I hope to see fine pictures of your jay in due course. They will be all the better for a bit of anticipation. Delayed gratification is all the rage these days.
Yes, one day I will have well-lit day, a fully loaded camera and a trusting Jay. One day . . .
If I had a nickle for every shot I missed because the camera wasn’t on me or the batteries were dead. 🙂
So the squirrel is already looking disdainfully at your attempts to make him leave? He has sized you up and is making himself right at home. Rick has a story about camping with friends, many decades ago now, and the ineffectiveness of a bear pole at the campsite. One was supposed to hang their knapsacks and food from the hooks at the top of the pole to prevent wandering bruins from stealing food. A special hoisting pole was provided to get things up the pole. The group noticed the bear pole was slightly bent, but didn’t think much of it. Needless to say, later on a bear came calling. The bear actually tried to use the hoisting pole, which was an eye-opener, and rather amusing. Failing that, said bear climbed a nearby tree and tried swatting the bag to make it swing. When it came near enough, he bit the bag and let go, hanging on by his teeth until the knapsack straps tore under the weight. Bear and knapsack came down, bear landing square on his behind. Bear proceeds to bite into the knapsack, bite into a can of bug spray, enraging the bear who moved to the perimeter. Eventually bear left, campers abandoned their site and headed pronto to the Ranger Station where they were laughed at. The Rangers could not believe their bear story.
Animals can be quite smart – look at Yogi for instance. 🙂
It is funny now, less funny when the bear is trashing your careful precautions, I imagine.
I do like your emphasis on your new environment. I read out the “No card in camera” sequence to Jackie who said “we know that scenario”
🙂 It’s good to know I am not the only one. Julia has already reminded me about it several times in the course of the day!