The yard and Bird Cam photos

Here we are, only 3 days removed from the last snow, and it's almost all gone already. Incredible! It's a balmy 44 degrees and there are only a few spots in the yard with snow on them.

We have been running the Bird Cam quite a bit these last few days. Here's a few photos and some tips that we have already learned.


This shot is of a bunch of Lesser Goldfinches underneath out bathroom window. It turned out good but it was a little too far away.


A Scrub-Jay and a Squirrel. Again, a good shot but I think the camera needs to be closer for great shots.


If you ever wanted to see Starling tongue, this is the way to do it.


Starlings and a White-Crowned Sparrow. The Starlings were all over the seed we were tossing out for the ground feeders during the storm.


We have never seen the Starlings eat seed before. They always go for bugs or the suet. I guess all the snow had them eating whatever they could get.


Here's what not to do. Make sure that when you go to retrieve your camera from where you had it stationed, that you turn it OFF first. Otherwise, you get a bunch of photos of you bringing the Cam inside.


During the height of the storm Michelle and I got bundled up and took our sled to the only store that was open around us. Unfortunately, it was Fred Meyer. We don't like to buy seed from the big box stores but our local bird shop was closed due to weather and we were completely out of seed.


From our regular digital camera. A Yellow-Rumped Warbler grabbing some suet.


Another of the Yellow-Rumped. We have been getting at least 3 on a daily basis.


A Townsend's Warbler trying it's best to get some frozen suet.


A Towhee, a Golden-Crowned Sparrow and a couple of Juncos.


A brave Song Sparrow. They usually do not come onto the porch when we are there, but the snow had the little guy acting a little differently.

First day of winter...

Here we are, the first true day of winter. Wow! Ummm...yeah...it's definitely winter. We have about 8 inches of snow, followed by about an inch of freezing rain and now it's snowing again. We are expecting another 2-5 inches tonight. Crazy.

The yard has been extremely busy. It was a full time job today just making sure that the birds had fresh food and water. Even though we have a heater in the bird bath, it keeps trying to freeze over and the food got covered up every 30 minutes. Even the seed in covered feeders and on the porch were covered in snow and ice because the wind is blowing so hard. I can't remember seeing Portland this way. We have literally taken over 600 photos in the last couple of days. Here are a few and we will be posting (hopefully daily) for a while. Hope you all enjoy and take care!

p.s. 3 days 'til Christmas!!


We have seen hardly any Robins this fall, but since the snow, they come in frequently for the fresh water.

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Hoping to find one of those rare snow worms!

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Getting a quick drink before heading of to find some food.

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One of the local Anna's Hummingbirds at "her" feeder. The Hummingbirds were in the yard in force today. We had to keep changing feeders out because they got clogged with ice and snow.

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A female Red-Shafted Flicker chipping away at the frozen suet.

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She let me get pretty close to her. I have a feeling that she was a little hungry.

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Here is one of the male Flickers. This photo was taken through our office window.

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Another Flicker in the back yard.

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Finally, the Townsend's Warblers are starting to come back into the yard.

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A Junco and 2 Lesser Goldfinches just chilling on our grapevine.

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The Juncos were getting closer and closer to the porch as the day wore on.

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A Spotted Towheee amongst the small flock of Juncos.

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More Juncos and the Towhee snapping up the fresh seed just thrown out. There is also a Golden-Crowned Sparrow eating with them. Can you spot him?