November Pool Party
November Pool Party
The sparrows are making the most of a warm sunny afternoon in southwest Pennsylvania to enjoy a really good bath. No wonder I have to refill this thing every day!
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Feeding the Kids
Mother house sparrow feeding her two babies.
I was alerted by the loud and desperate cheeping that there was a feeding event about to happen. This female hosue sparrow was being hounded by her two children and hopped from the feeder to this spot on the branch. I can’t tell you how much I wanted to get this photo without the bird feeder in it–and a little clearer–but I’m glad I got this photo. Then she left to find other food and the two babies, as big as her, stayed exactly where she told them to stay while she was away.
The two baby sparrows wait for their mother to return.
“Will you feed me?”
“Will you feed me?”
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All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit “purchasing” for availability and terms.
First World Bird Problems
First World Bird Problems
This little guy was lucky enough to find the empty ice cream cone someone had put on top of the fence post by the Dairy Queen. He’s lucky to live in a place where food and water are plentiful not to mention the occasional treat, and it’s far more than he can eat, but when another sparrow comes along and takes a bite he doesn’t want to share, complaining to that other sparrow in typical sparrow fashion. Watch the slideshow below to see the rest of the action.
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For a print of any photo, visit “purchasing” for availability and terms.
All images in this post are copyright © Bernadette E. Kazmarski and may not be used without prior written permission.
Spring Bath
Spring Bath
It was not warm today, but this sparrow couldn’t wait for his bath! His buddies were next, but actually thought better of it after being splashed pretty liberally. Or perhaps they didn’t need to actually get into the birdbath after that.
The birds are truly preparing for spring, singing away, pairing off, looking for nesting sites, and eating anything in sight.
Bird Baths Don’t Close on Labor Day, 2009
The pool is still open.
These sparrows will be able to take a dip well into October. The light isn’t quite right to catch all the water droplets splashing out of the birdbath, but you can see a few drops and the little waves. Sparrows never do anything individually, only as groups, and I watch them in all seasons conducting business in the big spruce in my front yard, and rising and falling like leaves to the feeder hanging in the maple very near the birdbath.
Spring Bath
Spring Bath
It was not warm, but this sparrow couldn’t wait for his bath! His buddies were next, but actually thought better of it after being splashed pretty liberally. Or perhaps they didn’t need to actually get into the birdbath after that.
The birds are truly preparing for spring, singing away, pairing off, looking for nesting sites, and eating anything in sight.
The Backyard in Winter
Wren at feeder with snow shower
I work at home now, in what was once my living room. But in all the years I worked a day job and imagined working at home, I had an ideal day in each season that came to mind as I thought of “summer” or “winter”.
You'll have to wait your turn.
Today was that winter day. I love snow, but we don’t get a whole lot of it here in Pittsburgh. But a day of frozen earth and hard snow flurries opening out to bright sun reflecting off bare branches–that is winter.
Everybody at the Feeder
And my back yard filled with bird activity, sparrows, mourning doves, showy cardinals, shrieking blue jays, scolding wrens, cheery chickadees, brilliant woodpeckers, and more–that is winter, too.
Bird bath is not a good idea at 21 degrees.
I have various bird feeders in view from each window. I wait for this day, and as the birds flock and flutter I am transfixed. I also count the birds at my feeders for Cornell University’s Feederwatch program, and have grown to know their populations and appreciate their habitats all the more through this.
Wildlife is great entertainment
Great entertainment, that wildlife!
Today 