School’s out, birding is back

Chickadee on a wreath feeder | Click thumbnail for larger view

   My first semester in college has ended! I have nearly one month to get back in touch with birds before the next semester starts on January 11th.

   The camera is cleaned, the batteries are charged and I am itching to photograph the birds of Maine. The only thing that’s holding me up is the weather. As soon as we get sunny skies, I will be out in the field snapping pictures faster than a flock of Mourning Doves fleeing a feral cat.

   The first question being asked is how did I do during my first semester in college. I am happy to report that I received 4.0’s (A’s) across the board. Although it has been 30 years since graduating from high school, I’ve always missed school and found that I missed learning too. All in all, I’m having a blast! Next semester, I once again have five classes. I am looking forward to it.

   I am far behind in visiting my favorite birding blogs. It will take several days to get caught up again. So what is happening out there with my birding friends? Here are a few recent post by my bird blogging friends. (My favorite blogs may be found on the Birding Links page).

• Andy, from Nature Potpourri, looks like he needs a break from shoveling the snow that fell during the blizzard over the weekend.
• Shelley, from Birding in Michigan, has a nice photo of a ornery Downy Woodpecker.
• Dawn and Jeff, from Dawn’s Bloggy Blog, are hiking in Calico Basin.
• Lady Woodpecker, from Lady Woodpecker’s Birds and Beyong Blog, has Chicakdees perching on her hand.
• Toni, from Presque Isle, Naturally, has a recipe for an easy suet mix.
• Steve, from Shooting My Universe, has an excellent photo of Purple Sandpipers in flight.
• Larry, from The Birder’s Report, has a post about Burrowing Owls Being Evicted From Their Homes In Antioch, California.
• Nancy, from The Zen Birdfeeder, has added a new yard bird to her list: Snow Geese.

   This is just a small sampling of what’s going on in the birding world.

Male Hairy Woodpecker | Click thumbnail for larger view

 When you are ready to take down your live Christmas tree, think about placing it in your yard for the birds to use as cover. Attach several pine cones, coated with peanut butter or homemade suet and bird seed, to the tree and your backyard birds will love you for it.

   I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year 2010. Thank you for following this birding photoblog, for your Tweets and re-tweets and for the friendships that have developed over the last year.

Happy birding!

Tagged as: bird, Bird Photographs, bird photography, bird watching, birding, birds, maine