An American black crow, house finch, and a pair of northern cardinals. At one point I observed a male cardinal feeding a female. I’ve seen male cardinals feeding juvenile cardinals before. Is this springtime courtship behavior?
Male Northern Cardinal Feeding a Female. (Courtship Behavior???). Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
House Finch at a Bird Feeder. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 100, 600 mm, f/4, 1/400 sec) (David J Mathre)
Chipping Sparrow at the bird feeder, and a very scrawny yearling deer. It was a long winter, and weather in March was difficult for finding food. Now the grass is turning green and starting to grow — which becomes the major food source for the deer.
Some bigger birds stopped by the new bird feeders. Actually, they stayed on the ground below the feeder to work on the spilled seeds. First a male, then female Northern Cardinal. They were soon followed by a Blue Jay that chased the Cardinals away. After the Blue Jay left, a Mourning Dove showed up. Only small birds worked the bird feeders. The Black Crows stayed out in the grass, searching for insects.
American Black Crow. Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 360, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Individual images in the slide shows can be viewed here.
A House Finch and Tufted Titmouse at the bird feeder after a rainstorm.
House Finch and Tufted Titmouse on a Wet Bird Feeder Image taken with a Nikon D4 camera and 600 mm f/4 VR lens (ISO 180, 600 mm, f/4, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)