He sings for her

In addition to the increase in woodpeckers that I mentioned in my last post, we have also had an increase in Purple Finches. We do seem to get an influx of these beauties as winter is wrapping up, as they make their way north to their breeding grounds in Canada and the northeast United States.

This past weekend, however, they set a record at my feeders, with 5 stopping in for breakfast on Sunday morning (4 males, 1 female). It was quite wonderful because all of the males were heartily singing.

It might be hard to tell in these photos, but this male is singing his heart out. See how his little throat is all puffed out while he sings?

He sings for her.

Female and male, perched together.

Safe travels, my little friends!

New Kids on the Block

First and foremost, since this is my first post of the year, I wish a Happy New Year 2008 to my adoring fans (the whole handful of you)!

There's nothing like the appearance of a bird new to our feeders to motivate me to take some photos. This winter has brought the Purple Finch. The first one showed up the first weekend of December, but it only passed by briefly. Same thing happened the following weekend. Then no more Purple Finches. Until this weekend. Finally, 2 of them showed up and stayed around for a while (i.e. long enough for me to get photos). Actually, I saw them most of the day yesterday, but not at all today. At any rate, I was excited to have some new visitors to the feeders, and hope they'll return and bring their friends.

Finch Fantastic (Purple Finches and Goldfinches)

Feeding Frenzy

Purple Finch

Oh, and I'm not the only one who likes to watch the birds. Now if she could just learn to count...

Midtown on bird patrol