Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ann had to replace the bird feeder I bought two months ago, after the darn squirrels chewed the feeder cups up so badly that it would no longer hold seed. So now she has one that's frustrating the squirrels to no end - it's designed to drop a metal cover over the feeder cups whenever a squirrel puts its weight on it. The birds aren't swarming to it in quite the numbers they were previously, but while during this trip I saw all but the nuthatch visiting at least once. And it is definitely interesting to watch the squirrel try to figure out a way to get into the feeder... so far the best he's managed to do is rock the feeder a bit and spill a few seeds before the cover slid down.
In the past I've always found it difficult to shoot photos of the cardinals, especially the male (who comes across as downright neurotic, but I suppose making instant dashes for cover at the slightest hint of nearby motion is a survival trait when you go around wearing bright red all the time.) Somehow I got lucky this visit, and ended up with decent pictures of both the male and the female.
I think I also saw the male courting the female today... at least, I can't think of many other reasons he'd chase her around the tree and then break out with a major song and dance routine to keep her attention... it was rather interesting to see. Though she didn't seem too interested...
Gulls on the other hand are no great challenge to photograph... especially when they're snoozing in the sunshine en mass in the Wal-mart parking lot!
JMH
