Bird Bonanza and two lifers!

What an exciting day at the feeders! We're under about six inches of snow, but the sun is out and the sky is a brilliant blue. I'm still stuffy and coughy from my recent cold (which kept me home for three stinkin' days), but I sure could use some sun. Let's go do the FeederWatch count!

The first bird I noticed was a little song sparrow who somehow lost his tail feathers.

Worse yet, the other birds were chasing him away from the feed I'd scattered on the ground. Look at this sweet face; how could they be so mean to him?

He stuck around for the entire two hours I watched; I guess it wasn't a pleasant meal, but it was a meal.
While photographing him, I accidentally caught a bird who'd just taken off:

Not so great focus, but still cool!

And of course, what would spring be without some big old grackles hogging the feeders?


The starlings were also out in force, including these three amigos:

I even saw a white-throated sparrow; I thought they'd all gone north!


Now to the LIFERS!
First, a female red-winged blackbird (I hope!):




I tried to get photos from all angles, to make sure the birding police could check the situation out and approve my ID; can someone stamp my passport, please?

Second, a photo of what I believe to be a fox sparrow--a lifer! Here again, I'll offer my papers; perhaps the proper authorities could direct me to the correct ID?


This guy was rather aggressive under the feeder, and his usual target was our poor little guy with no tail. However, I got this cool photo of him, the female RWblackbird, the no-tail bird, and the white-throated sparrow!

Two lifers in one photo, a bird I thought I wouldn't see again until next winter, and our poor unfortunate tailless sparrow! What a day!

I also got two pretty good close-up photos: a tufted titmouse

and the first American robin to appear in the backyard this season


And what do the kitties have to say about all this bird action?

Did someone say birds?

Leave the bird; take the cannoli.

Let me at 'em!