WINGSCAPES

Memories of Nutkin

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s still difficult to deny that there is something charming about squirrels. Take this BirdCam-recorded image of a Gray Squirrel recently submitted to the Wingscapes Photo Gallery by Eugene from Watervliet, New York, for example.

Yes it’s eating through what looks to be some rather high quality (and expensive) black-oil sunflower seed, but the way in which it uses it’s paws to do so, the classic curled-up posture in which it sits… Who can look at it and not be reminded of the animal stories from childhood? I certainly can’t.

Picture Perfect Squirrel

While there’s little disagreement that squirrels cane be a bane to practitioners of backyard bird feeding, it is sometimes (I said “sometimes”) quite difficult to put aside how charming they can be.

As the snow was falling steadily all day here in northwest Oregon, I took to throwing handfuls of seed on the ground for the thrushes, juncos, doves, and yes, the local population of Douglas’ Squirrels. The reward was not only some fine winter portraits of the local birds but a few Christmas card image quality squirrel pictures as well.

Squirrel Pod

After receiving a new bird feeder as a gift from a friend, I was eager to get it in place and the Wingscapes BirdCam focused on it. The shape and color of the feeder promised to offer great possibilities for somewhat more artistic images of the local birdlife. Unfortunately I didn’t give full consideration to just who else might find the feeder both enticing as well as down-right cozy as an autumn lunch location.

Snakes and Turtles and Mice...Oh My!

Pam from Florida sent us these wild non-bird photos taken in her yard. Thanks Pam!

Pam writes:
"Attached is a photo taken in our backyard here in Florida that was quite the surprise. A red corn snake happened to be passing by when the picture was taken. The bird in the background is a ground dove. FYI: the brown head of the bird in the foreground is a thrasher."

...picture from the BirdCam of a box turtle eating birdseed along with a towhee. The mama box turtle sometimes eats seed before going to lay eggs in our flowerbed.

...Florida mouse and a squirrel sitting eating together.

Camera Hog

The Born Again Bird Watcher nabbed these photos of a Douglas Squirrel with his BirdCam while it was set directly on the ground to catch the activity of ground feeding birds. Apparently, he is a bit of a "Camera Hog" (the squirrel, not the Born Again Bird Watcher).

BirdCam Week at The Zen Birdfeeder

I'm working through a backlog of items I want to post about. In early December, our friend Nancy Castillo posted some great BirdCam images on her blog The Zen Birdfeeder.  Nancy runs a Wild Birds Unlimited store and was one of our first dealers to catch-on to a great benefit of the BirdCam...it can be used to showcase other products.

On Monday, Nancy posted some great images of Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, including this one in which she captured a Downy and Hairy woodpecker together. This two are nearly identical except for their size. (Hairy is similar size to Red bellied or Red headed Woodpeckers,...Downy is smaller.)

...the Tuesday, Nancy showcased the WBU Eliminator feeder...
 

...on Wednesday, Nancy posted some cool shots of various Rodentia...

...on Thursday, it was a smattering of different birds. I was surprised recently to learn that many backyard birders have an aversion to Blue Jays. I love them. They take great photos...

...on Friday, Nancy posted some great video. Click here to check it out.

Wingscapes loves Nancy. She is a BirdCammer of the first order.

Chinese Devil Squirrel

Today's squirrel-proof feeders would not stand a chance...

Muscle Squirrel

Mr. Tough Guy strikes a pose..