We've had an increase in bird activity lately. I'm not sure why because we haven't changed the food we put out for them. Maybe word is getting out that this is the place to be...plenty of food, water and houses! These were all taken the same day! I hope you enjoy seeing some of the wildlife in our cottage garden!
Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Grackles.
Cardinals and lots of Goldfinches.
A tree full of male and female Cardinals!! They are all waiting for their turn at the sunflower seed feeders. Notice the small screens we put under the feeders. This way more birds can eat at one time.
More Cardinals.
A Mockingbird and Sparrows at the suet feeders. We have two Mockingbirds that always seem to be in the yard. In the last couple of weeks they have started getting very protective of the apples and chase away the other birds that try to eat them.
The snow had just begun falling as this Cardinal landed on the pergola. His bright red color really stands out and it appears he's looking right at the camera.
The Mockingbird trying to decide which type of suet to eat! Oh, decisions, decisions!
Look at the ground on the left side of the gate. There are several Doves relaxing.
Happy Gardening!
Words and Photos Property of Christy's Cottage Wildlife Garden
I've never seen that many cardinals at once. How awesome. You certainly are the place to be for the birds.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I'd never seen that many Cardinals in one place either and it was an awesome sight!! I'm so glad I was able to get the picture. We try to make all our wildlife friends happy!!
DeleteI have never seen that many cardinals at once either!@ They are most happy there with you! Here we've had TONS of blackbirds. It is their annual migration time so perhaps that is why so many but wowser on the cardinals!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it incredible!!
DeleteWow! The tree full of cardinals is a wonderful picture. They look like blooms on the tree:)
ReplyDeleteHi Steph...they really do look like blooms don't they! I'm so glad I looked outside when I did!
DeleteWow that is impressive....we have no birds as they are awaiting yet another storm...soon though I hope to see some more...hopefully in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna...Thanks so much! I'm participating in the GBBC for the first time this year! I'm really looking forward to it. Hope all your birds are back in time for the count!
DeleteWow - I've never seen so many cardinals in one tree! So pretty. I also love seeing the red-winged blackbirds. How fun to have so many birds to watch.
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Yes, I really enjoy watching all the different birds. There's always a show! I just never know what I'm going to see when I look out the window. A few minutes ago there were a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds again in back and out the front window I saw Robins and a BlueJay was poking around in the flower pots! Thanks for visiting again!
DeleteWow! The cardinals really brighten the winter sky! A healthy garden will attract many types of wildlife, and getting a front row seat to all their activity is a great reward for the gardener. Enjoy the show!
ReplyDeleteWe must have a really healthy garden because we sure have a lot of wildlife and you're right, it's very rewarding to watch all the activity!! Thanks for visiting.
DeleteWow! They surely are there in numbers. And the cardinal tree is spectacular. I've never seen anything like it. I'm happy to see two at my feeder...:)
ReplyDeleteHi troutbirder! I'd never seen anything like it either. They must have been having a party! I'm just glad I looked out the window when I did and I was able to get the picture. Out by our woods we have a dry pond that has filled in with wild shrubs, etc and I know a lot of the Cardinals live in there (along with a lot of other critters!!) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThose cardinals look like rubies in the tree.~~Dee
ReplyDeleteHi Dee! They do look like rubies don't they! I was so lucky to look out the window when I did and get this picture! I have to wonder what amazing things I'm missing when I'm NOT looking out the window. Thank you so much for visiting and I hope you visit again!!
DeleteWow, that is grand display of cardinals. My husband said when I was away, he counted 14 cardinals at one time. I was very pleased he kept feeding the birds. He even went out and bought more seed. It surprised me because he has little interest in the garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! When I looked out the window and saw all the Cardinals in the tree I couldn't believe it and ran to get the camera. I was so amazed. We have a lot of Cardinals, but I'd never seen this many! I'm so happy your hubby kept the birds fed. Maybe this is a sign that he's developing an interest in the garden...??!!
DeleteLike Donna, I was especially taken with the number of cardinals in your garden. I have only one mating pair that frequents my feeder. I agree with Dee, they look like jewels in your trees.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer and thanks for visiting my blog. I think the reason we have so many birds, including Cardinals, is because we have a dry pond filled with native shrubs, vines, etc at the very back of our property near the woods. I know there are many birds and other critters living in there. Since we supply food, water and places to raise young year round, they may be thinking "It just doesn't get any better than this"!!! :-) Hope you visit again!
DeleteI came here from Garden Walk Garden Talk, the post about what you like on a blog. I agree about similar climates and pics that show the whole plant or the whole bed rather than down the throat of a flower.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing snow. I don't miss it at all, but I think it is prettiest when there is just a dusting on the ground and the roads are dry.
.. birds! Love birds, but tired of those flocks of Starlings that are hanging around. We have a pair of elusive Woodpeckers who hide when the camera comes out.
Hi NellJean...I'm glad you found my blog! In spring when I finally have a chance to start showing my flowers, I'm going to show some close-ups and some entire bed pictures. This way you can see how the plants look together. Maybe someday you'll get a shot of those Woodpeckers. I have to admit at first I wasn't crazy about the Starlings, but then I saw them eating grubs....lots of grubs, and I decided it was pretty nice having them around after all!! I hope you visit again!!
DeleteWell for people keeping yard, county, state, nation or life lists of bird they've seen a "lifer" is a bird you've never seen in that category before. Thus a "lifer" is a bird you've never seen anyplace before. I had a couple in Florida on this trip....:)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you!! Sounds like you had a really good vacation. I'm looking forward to participating in the GBBC this year!! I sure wish all the Cardinals would come back for the count!
DeleteSo many cardinals, goldfinches too. Obviously they love your garden!
ReplyDeleteYes...I think the wildlife is pretty happy here! They have it "made in the shade". :-)
DeleteWe have a lot of the same birds. :o) I have chickadees that have 'claimed' a house that is used by the bluebirds every year. There is always a chickadee vs bluebird battle over the house. The bluebirds usually win but this year the chickadees have started moving in early. I wonder if the bluebirds know? :o)
ReplyDeleteHi there and thanks for visiting my blog! My funniest Chickadee story is that we have made several small bird houses just for decorations in the garden....or so we thought! Next thing I know there are Chickadee babies in every house!! I loved hearing their little "peep, peep, peeps" while I was working in the garden. I was happy they were all able to leave the nest!!
DeleteHello Christy, I found my way here via the blogging discussion on Garden Walk Garden Talk. I enjoy your gardening posting as well as all the bird photographs. I added myself as a subscriber and promise not to get too jealous at all the cardinals that you have (we don't get them here in North Dakota). As a former San Diegan myself I look forward to reading your future posts!!!
ReplyDeleteHello and thanks for visiting!! I'm always so happy to find other San Diegans!! I just participated in the first GBBC this past weekend! This time I could only report 10 Cardinals, but I thought that was still pretty good! I'm so glad you will be following my blog. I will have something very special to show everyone in spring!!
DeleteLook at all those cardinals! I think 3 is the most I've seen at a time here. We don't feed many sunflowers, though, because the squirrels come in and think it's for them. They still come, but not as many at a time.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say I love your header photo! I am so longing for spring!
Hi Sue.....Aren't all the Cardinals just amazing!! I participated in my first GBBC this past weekend but because we had so many Grackles stopping by, there weren't as many of my "regulars", so I could only report 10 Cardinals. I wish I could have reported the 30 in that tree! Thanks so much on the header photo. I took me a while to figure out how to do it, but I finally figured it out. I can't wait to see those flowers again!!
DeleteI have a bird feeder set within view of my computer. I enjoy watching my feathered friends flutter about as I work on the computer. I have a second feeder in the Butterfly Garden by the swing which we enjoy as we swing a bit on nice days. We also have a suet pole with 3 cages on it. We had to Squirrel/Raccoon Proof all our feeders as they were killing the feed budget. Seed hulls were making a mess so we went to meat seeds and what a difference that has made. Life is better with no mess! We also have a mealworm try that the blue birds, wrens, mocking and other birds enjoy...
ReplyDelete