Pictures of my backyard Critters for 2020
This year was a year of a lot of sadness, but also a year that came with something to smile about!
When I was trying to keep really busy, I found that nature never fails to bring some unconditional happiness.
At first I thought "no! it can't be", but there it was.
My Critters were also really busy raising their families and bringing them home for grandma to feed them.
New for this Year:
Lots of babies were born.
I had Squirrels, Chipmunks, Rabbits, Birds and Raccoons this year bringing their families for the free food and realestate.
I just kept up with the empty feeders and was amazed how deligent and hardworking the parents were.
Nests were cleaned, critters were fed and they were always on look-out for predactors around them.
I did my bit; I supplied the free food, water and told them to " behave and take turns". :)
They must have done this before, but this is the first time that I noticed this miracle of life in my yard.
I also had a pair of black-capped chickadees use one of my birdhouses and they had at least 3 babies.
Some of the babies refused to come out, but the parents kept on feeding them until they were brave enough to test their own wings.
They would go and feed some of the babies that were hiding in the tree nearby and then come back and feed the birds that refused to move out. :)
The pictures below with "captions" are pictures that I sent to my Mom during the year.
I hope you enjoy seeing the adventures in my yard with pictures for 2020.
Black Birds
I used to think of Black Birds as just plain black birds, however when sunlight hits their feathers they have beautiful irisdencent colours such as burgundy and royal blue.It just goes to say - "you can find beauty in everything and anything, if you look close enough".
Well, maybe not squirrels or rabbits!
Cardinal Family:
At fist I saw two male cardinals together and I thought it was strange that they were not fighting.Then I saw the Dad feeding their daughter and I think the other male cardinal that I saw was their son. :) These pictures were taken with a new installed IP camera in the birdfeeder and the cardinal pictures here were taken using the wrong aspect ratio - but here's a better picture of a cardinal.
Black-Capped Chickadee 2
What a happy surprise!
I think this pair of Black-Capped Chickadees were here last year, but I missed it all.
This year I sat and waited for the big event and it was sensational!
I was such a proud grandma!
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Orioles arrive at my end of the world at the same time as the Hummingbirds.I first saw them feeding from the Hummingbird feeders.
They don't stay around long and move on further north, I think.
While they are around, I feed them oranges and they are happy with that.
They are such a colourful and bright welcoming sight.
Hummingbirds
I have only seen Rufous and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I keep on wishing for more, but I take what I get.Also, my Hummingbirds only use the hummingbird feeders for a very short time. They actually prefer the nectar from the flowers instead.
It would be awesome if they built a nest around here too. If they have, I haven't seen any yet. Next year I'm going to take a pair of binoculars outside and spend more time looking at nature.
Red-breasted Grosbeak
I think this is a female red-breasted Grosbeak or a juvenile male grosbeak.I am just learning this stuff.
I usually only get a short glimpse of these birds and identifying them is not easy.
Same for Nuthatches and Sparrows, they are really fast. :)
Molting Blue Jay
When I first saw this Blue Jay - I go "oh no! what is wrong with him?"Nothing! - it's normal for Blue Jays to molt in the August.
Cardinals molt in the summer as well.
Red-winged Black Bird
When this bird spreads his black wings, you can see its secret red patch.
Downy Woodpecker
I think this little woodpecker is lost.
She usually goes to the peanut feeder, so for her to come to this feeder it was a pleasant surprise.
Winter Birds 2
We mostly have juncos, cardinals, mourning doves, finches, starlings, black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers and sparrows.
Young Rabbit
Next year; we will have lots more young rabbits to eat all of my greens.
Black Squirrel in Feeder
I do have a squirrel baffle on this feeder. He found a wood pile nearby and jumped to the feeder. He looks pretty happy with himself.Lots of nut trees around, but they would rather annoy me.
They sit on the neighbour's trees and eat walnuts and then drop all of their peelings on my gravel below.
We also have grey and red squirrels.
However, the black squirrels are the most tenacious of our squirrels.
It keeps us entertained. :)
And Babies makes 5
Raccoons make such a mess!They eat all of my grapes and my corn.
The only two things that they touch in my yard.
Fox covered in snow
This fox takes a short cut through our yard even in the middle of the day.A couple of days ago, he found the sunniest spot in the garden and just sat there and waited for the rabbits to arrive. :)
Birdhouse
Karen made this birdhouse this year. I am hoping to buy a bird camera for it eventually. The roof has a hinge, so it will be easy to install and watch the bird action. Thank you Karen!This year I am hoping to make more birdhouses and see how many of my local birds will use it.
Happy Birding everyone!
Stay Safe!