Piperbarb's 2013 Project 365

piperbarb

Senior Member
I've been messing more with B&W lately. If its monotone/flat, drab colors, I move to B&W.
Rick,

I also use B&W to get rid of annoying background spots, colors and objects. Many times, something that is totally disturbing in color can fade and disappear in the background in B&W.
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-20-13: Part 1 - Bird

This afternoon was busy at the bird feeder.. Visitors included birds, the red squirrel, and the chipmunk. I saw a male goldfinch eating at the feeder, and got this image of him. I have seen goldfinches at the feeder before, and was glad to finally get a photo of one. They are such bright, colorful birds.

201 Goldfinch-130720-10_01.jpg
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-20-13: Part 2 - Chipmunk

This guy has been hanging around a lot lately. I think he lives in the bushes behind the tree. He's also a lot shyer than the red squirrel.

Just Checking
201 Chipmunk-130720-05_01.jpg

I Think the Coast is Clear
201 Chipmunk-130720-09_01.jpg

Ooooo....Seeds!
201 Chipmunk-130720-10_01.jpg

Uh Oh, She Saw Me
201 Chipmunk-130720-19_01.jpg


The squirrel totally ignored the chipmunk.

Buddies - Not Really

201 Chipmunk & Squirrel-130720-04_01.jpg
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-20-13: Part 3 - The Red Squirrel

This guy is very tenacious. He also doesn't care if I am around. I think his antics are hilarious, especially when he falls off the bird feeder and goes squeaking back across the backyard in humiliation. I haven't gotten a photo of that yet, but I will.

A lot of the birds that come to the feeder are basically slobs. They throw a lot of seed on the ground. That makes easy pickings for squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and of course other birds.

What a Feast!
201 Red Squirrel-130720-01_01.jpg

You Can Never Get Enough Seeds
201 Red Squirrel-130720-06_01.jpg

Now for the Stealth Approach
201 Red Squirrel-130720-08_01.jpg

Oh, Come On! You Make it Difficult for a Squirrel to Eat!
201 Red Squirrel-130720-17_01.jpg

Ah, Got Something!
201 Red Squirrel-130720-21_01.jpg

Oops. I Knew I should Have Started That Exercise Program
201 Red Squirrel-130720-27_01.jpg
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-21-13:

Not a lot new happening at the bird feeder but I did get both flora and fauna today.

First the flora:

The deer have been eating the flower buds of my day lilies before they even open. The flower below is only one of two that have been tenacious enough to bloom.

Orange and Green
202 Day Lily-130721_01.jpg


It seems that deer don't eat thistles and Queen Ann's lace. The thistle are doing very, very well. :)

After the Bloom
202 Thistle-130721_01.jpg


Now the fauna.

I spotted this grasshopper nymph on a utility pole. It's amazing how well it blended in.

Still a Kid
202 Grasshopper-130721_01.jpg


This little nuthatch was oblivious to the drama at the bird feeder. This little guy likes prey, not seeds. :)

Yum...Bugs & Grubs
202 Nuthatch-130721-03_01.jpg

 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-23-13:

We must have a very popular bird feeder that attracts more than just birds. I looked out the window this morning and saw this doe sniffing the feeder, then starting to eat the seed that had fallen on the ground. By the time I got my camera and walked out side, she stopped eating but stared at me for a moment: long enough for me to get this image. She then decided that discretion was tantamount and trotted off.

Caught on Camera!
204 Deer-130723_01.jpg

And yes, I did have to use the on-camera flash and ISO 500. Yes, it was that dark. :)
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
Nice capture? . . . and yes it does look like you have a popular feeder. What exactly ARE you putting in there? :cool:
Helene,

Thanks.

​I had the generic variety of bird seed, and now just sunflower seeds. A friend of mine who is an avid birder suggested using just sunflower seeds. Thistle seeds are definitely out of the realm of possibilities around here because the bears absolutely love them.

I have to laugh because when my husband finally put the bird feeder back up after the bear got it, everyone ignored it for almost 3 weeks. Now, we have a veritable parade of local fauna from sunrise to sunset.
 

ohkphoto

Snow White
I have tried planting sunflower seeds . . . the giant mammoth ones, all the sprouts disappear as soon as they pop up. Even my horses eat them.

Bears love thistle seeds? Wow, learn something new every day. I imagine it takes a lot of them to satisfy a bear!
 

Bill16

Senior Member

piperbarb

Senior Member
I have tried planting sunflower seeds . . . the giant mammoth ones, all the sprouts disappear as soon as they pop up. Even my horses eat them.

Bears love thistle seeds? Wow, learn something new every day. I imagine it takes a lot of them to satisfy a bear!
I gave up on trying to grow sunflowers. The only way they can survive is to be in large pots on the porch. At least the four-legged critters don't walk up on the porch.

The next door neighbor of a friend of mine had all her bird feeders torn down by the local bear because all the feeders contained thistle seeds.
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
7-24-13:

I spotted this one on the way home from work. The deer around here are getting more and more accustomed to humans and completely ignore people and cars.

Pesky Deer Flies
205 Deer-130724-02_01.jpg


Although they may be rather slow movers in flying insect terms, bumblebees are not always as easy to photograph. After many not so so sharp photos, here are a few of the better ones.

Pollenator
205 Bee on Thistle-130724-04_01.jpg

Digging for More
205 Bee on Thistle-130724-08_01.jpg


Although not for eating, nightshade berries are interesting, albeit, slow-ripening.

Almost Vine Ripened.
205 Nightshade-130724_01.jpg
 
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