Monday, February 25, 2008

Birds birds and more birds

As I stated in my previous post, I really concentrated on my photography while we were at the cabin. I tried hard to get pictures of all the different types of birds that I saw but some were just too quick. But being that I am only a wanna be photographer I think I got some pretty good shots. My son so kindly pointed out to me that I wasn't a REAL photographer because REAL photographers get paid for doing it. I told him that wasn't true that many photographers do it because they love it and not for money.... On our first morning Craig and I were sitting at the table having breakfast and I spotted something moving out back. At first I thought it was a small mammal because it was black and near the ground. A Pileated Woodpecker!!! He didn't give me much of a chance to get a good shot of him but I was happy just the same to have seen him. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in Michigan and can be 19 inches tall. I love woodpeckers!! This little guy was kind of shy. He's a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. He looked soft and adorable.This fella gave me all the photos I wanted. He was not the least bit disturbed by my presence. He's a Hairy Woodpecker. Blue Jays were everywhere. A lot of people don't like them because they can be real bullies but I think they are beautiful. I only saw one pair of Cardinals. And they didn't like my presence so I had to take this one from inside the cottage. I wish I had gotten better shots of them.
This Red Breasted Nuthatch zipped around like crazy. It was a wonder that I even got a photo of him. Chickadees!!! They were abundant and so adorable. They were so sociable and would even talk to us.
Jordan and I went to a state park (Hartwick Pines) and the chickadees were eating out of our hands there. We didn't know that they would do that. We saw some other people doing it so we just had to try it too. It didn't take 1 minute and they were landing on our hands.
The feeling of their little toes curled around your fingers is amazing. It just makes you smile.
I saved this photo for last. That is Jordan's hand. To me it is just the most amazing photo. I can't stop staring at it. This photo is going to get enlarged and framed.

That's about it for our birds at the cabin except for one VERY special bird. This bird deserves his own post and I will be posting about him tomorrow. I will give you a hint... It has been my dream to see one of these birds in the wild. What do you think is the most majestic bird in all of America? Tune in tomorrow, I can't wait to show you (yes I even got pictures!!).....

8 comments:

The Brat Pack said...

Your pictures are amazing, I got chills looking! I would love to be somewhere with all of those birds...I'm envious.

Maryann

Minerva said...

After seeing these photos, I think it's safe to say you're a photographer! They are beautiful. I like the chickadee ones.

Cliff said...

I love these photos.

Now as far as the bird is concerned, seeing that I grew up in Hinckley, Ohio, I would guess the turkey vulture aka buzzard.

Gail said...

Stumbled onto your blog from Rebecca's

Your pictures are beautiful!!
I would love to have that little bird land on my hand!
That picture is an award winning one!

Shelley said...

Wonderful photos! I love Hartwick Pines too! I am going to add you to my favorites on both blogs.
www.birdinginmichigan.blogspot.com and logcabininmichigan.blogspot.com .
Can't wait to see future photos - I love to shoot pictures in Northern Michigan as well.
shelley

Peanut said...

I love that last picture. Framing it is great. I like cardinals I had never actually seen one until we moved to Kentucky

Anonymous said...

Truly wonderful pictures.

We get a Scottish Woodpecker on our bird feeder - but yours are kinda different in style.

lovely pics. Sorry I am late commenting

J x

bluebirder... said...

What you say about the feeling of their little toes is right - it makes you tingle all over. And isn't it such a humbling experience having truly wild creatures show that kind of trust in human beings - arguably their biggest enemy.