December 29, 2018
I went for a very long walk today, camera in hand, through the woods and fields of the Kalamazoo Nature Center hoping to find something interesting to photograph—perhaps a hawk or an eagle or a pileated woodpecker. Nuthin’! That’s not to say it wasn’t a beautiful and relaxing walk… but I might have enjoyed it a tad bit more had I gotten something more exciting than a sparrow and a woodpecker!
American Tree Sparrow 
Downy Woodpecker
I must confess, though, that before even leaving the house, I had taken well over a hundred pictures just from our back deck—chickadees, finches, cardinals, woodpeckers, mourning doves, nuthatches, juncos, and blue jays.
House Finch 
Black-capped Chickadee
Female Cardinal
And, even though these birds are just garden-variety-backyard-birds, I enjoyed the task immensely—because they were all near at hand and this allowed for some really nice close-ups. Once I got my fill of stationary shots, I tried my hand at ‘birds in flight’. Not surprisingly, that skill is going to need a lot more work! Those little songbirds are mega-fast, while I, on the other hand, am not!! (It’s not at all like following the leisurely flight patterns of a hawk!)
Blue Jay 
Cardinal
My next project (besides birds in flight) will be backyard birds in a snow storm! (If it ever stops raining!)
House Finch 
Mourning Dove Black-capped Chickadee 
Black-capped Chickadee
Seeing your lovely bird photos can’t help but make me smile, I do look forward to seeing all your photos. I have to admit the ‘bag of heads’ was certainly a surprise.
Thanks, Lynette. I’m glad you enjoy them, and thanks for your feedback!
For me from New Zealand, your “garden-variety-backyard-birds” are very special! – Liz
Thank you! I would feel the same way about seeing birds from New Zealand! Glad you enjoyed them.