January 05, 2022

NATIONAL BIRD DAY plus ONE SPECIAL SQUAWKER

These photo groupings reflect my love of bird watching ~ and are chosen from my photo files, all previously published on this blog.  Birding is something I've not done in recent months as living in the heart of downtown, high up in a 16th floor apartment, birds are not a common sight.  Oh, an occasional migrating flock may pass by, but that's only a rare pleasure, not to be photographed. 

The first two montages below are from the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River, north of the Kennedy Space Center.  Merritt Island and Cocoa, Florida were my home for over 20 years. Driving, biking or walking along Blackpoint Drive in the refuge, one sees all kinds of water birds and whether at dawn, midday or twilight, different species will be out to hunt for fish in the ever changing waterways shallow or deep.  It is a beautiful and natural place, never quite the same, worth visiting over and over.  By the way, there are an abundance of "wingless critters" in the waters as well, so when you walk, do so with caution and shoes on.


Before moving into my current apartment, I lived with family elsewhere in Maryland  and we all enjoyed "backyard birding" (well, front yard, too).  The feeding stations were filled from October through late March, encouraging all the birds to seek food from nature's bounty in the warmer months, though many would squawk at this and hang around for weeks after.  And yes, there was always the inevitable battle with the squirrels (or as Chester would say, the evil squirrel cartel!), and often they came out on top.  The top of the feeders, we mean!

The two montages below are photographs from those many days, of all the visitors.  Every one a delight to see.  Especially perhaps the hawk who spent maybe an hour, happily lunching up high, undisturbed, and I was able to get an entire series of photos of him.  And the pileated woodpeckers, not one but two, feasting on some old ant-filled dying logs found in the back of the yard.  As majestic as both of these birds are, my favorite was always the little "downy", patient and shy, always waiting his turn, until the bigger boys had their fill and flew away.


And not to forget one very special bird, our very own Kismet.
Even though Kismet has not been able to post recently due to technical blogging issues ~ 
I'm quite sure you've noticed that she often shows up as a visitor on your blog leaving her amusing squawks!  
So, let's all return the "favor" and drop a few sunflower seeds for her today, squawk back at either of the links below!







27 comments:

  1. that is great what species you have... happy bird day dear June

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  2. So this means that June doesn't get to watch all those beautiful birds like you did. They're all absolutely gorgeous and stunning pictures but that's no surprise because of your skills with the camera! I did not know that you lived in Cocoa which is almost directly across the state from us. I love Florida and I hope I never have to leave it

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  3. So many beautiful birds. We had an abundance until late spring when 2 hawks arrived. I think a female and it's young one. They sadly found the small birds here easy pickings.

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  4. Well, we can say that we too have been to Merritt and Cocoa Florida, just last month and we saw birdies there. We used to have a bird feeder out front for the cats but it attracted mice in the ground that made a mess, so it is no more.

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  5. So many beautiful birds. I have always loved the soft mourning doves.

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  6. Hello,
    Merritt Island NWR is one of my favorite Florida refuges to visit. Your birds and photos are just beautiful, wonderful sightings. Kismet is a cutie! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a great day and week ahead.

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  7. That sure is a wonderful bunch of pretty birds!!!

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  8. I love all the beautiful birds. We feed the birds here all year long. Our marina has all kinds of wonderful birds to enjoy. Love to watch them fish.

    I love Kismet. I've been visiting Kismet for many years.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  9. OMBirds!!! What a wonderful selection of photos too.
    I am an avid backyard bird watcher and feeder
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. Amazing photos! What a variety, wow - I need to go to Maryland one day.

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  11. I saw a very strange birdie in your collection, June. Hope that it can't fly..🙈 Beautiful pictures of such beautiful creatures💗Pawkisses for a Peaceful Wednesday🐾😽💞

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  12. This is our first winter with feeders. We enjoy our downy, our white breasted nuthatches, our tufted titmice,black-capped chickadees, an occasional Carolina Wren, black eyed juncos (who feed on the seeds that fall to the ground)and, best of all, a cardinal pair. They always come when it's almost too dark to see them (but are showing up during the day now from time to time.) I enjoyed your pictures very much.

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    Replies
    1. You haven't lived until you see a Indian Ringneck parrot like me.

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  13. Birds are so fun!
    I especially love owls.

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  14. Juney Chowder...we like burd number.... FOR TEEN ~~~~~~
    ;) ♥♥

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  15. Those photos are wonderful - but the ones of the pileated - especially the pair - are amazing. We have had a pair around here in the summer (NE Ohio) and have plenty of the smaller ones year around.

    Chirps to Kismet !

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  16. Your bird photos are beautiful. We remember seeing many of them in the past.

    Thank you for the shout out for Kismet - we were hoping to find his blog today. We didn't post about Dylan because he has become a very mute bird:(

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  17. Beautiful shots. We feed birds all winter. We get woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, etc. XO

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  18. We loved seeing all those birdies! We have lots of juncos and chickadees around right now. The Evil Squirrel Cartel is ever present, but can only pick up whatever seeds the birdies drop from the feeders. They've been gorging on hawthorn berries too. Yesterday we saw a cooper's hawk swooping through the yard. Oh, and tell Kismet that my Florida associate, Miss Charlee has an Indian Ringneck birdie sister named Frankie.

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  19. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing your amazing birding photos again with us, Ann.

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  20. Wow, excellent shots. Those are worth binging on bird tv.

    Emma and Buster

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  21. Foley taught us always to be good to the birds. They are like an air force. If you are friends with the birds they will poop on your enemies.

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  22. Those are great bird pictures. We enjoy watching all the birds in our backyard here, too.

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  23. How did I miss Bird Day? My two birds, Summer and inter will never forgive me. Actually, as long as I have millet on hand they will forgive anything.

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  24. Because of the Snowmageddon we have been having, Mom did not get out to all of our furrends yesterday. She was blessed to have Mr McM plow out the top of the driveway (actually he plowed the road that the village has NOT been plowing) which "saved" her about 3 hours of back breaking labor!

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  25. Watching the birds is a joyful thing. Ms. G always puts down "decoy food," extra food away from the feeders to keep the squirrels busy. She also sprays the poles of the feeders with Pam cooking spray, so they learn to just go for the decoy food.

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