Friday, October 13, 2006

Juncoes

The juncoes moved in with the cold front on Sunday. They started in a trickle and this morning there are 50+ in the yard! Some might find their colors drab, but I think they are elegant little birds. Their bills and feet look especially pink against the snow.

Hey you photographer bloggers out there- any ideas why the majority of my bird pics have white eyes? It makes them look a bit evil! I need advice please.


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10 comments:

MojoMan said...

Wonderful photos! I always note the coming and going of the juncoes. As much as I enjoy these little birds, I don't enjoy the weather that pushes them here. It will be interesting to see how much longer it takes them to arrive her in MA after the get to MN.

NatureWoman said...

I love watching Juncos and your photos are great. I get the evil eye look if I use the flash.

Susan Gets Native said...

I look forward to the arrival of the juncos every year. What sweeties!
As far as the eye flash. I am not a photographer, so I don't have any advice to stop that, except something that may not work with birds flitting around the yard: If you can you could angle the camera so the flash hits them at an angle so the flash bounces off the eye? I do that while at the aquarium to avoid sunbursts off the glass.

Susan Gets Native said...

Forgot:
You can always Photoshop the white spots out!

Anonymous said...

Juncos just started turning up in my neighbourhood in the last couple of days. We're not getting the feeder visits you are yet. I've just seen one house finch, and a couple of gold finches lately, but the only feeder visitors so far: black-capped chickadees, blue jays, and one loud hairy woodpecker.

I too have heard the thin version of the white-throated sparrow song--I think it is the season, and/or youngsters trying it out for the first time.

swamp4me said...

It will be just a while longer before the juncos make it down our way. We did see our first white-throated sparrow today though.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

mojoman-
I enjoy juncoes too. I forgot what cheeky little birds they are.

Naturewoman and Susan-
Thanks for the photo tips. I'll try turning off the flash.

Pamela- My feeders are packed! We did have a cold spell that must have driven them down. Thin is a great word to describe the white-throated sparrow song. Very anemic!!

swamp4me- Our white-throated sparrows have been joined by a few white-crowned and fox sparrows in the last 2 days.

Susan said...

I love the juncos with their little "batman capes". We're still waiting for them to arrive in NC.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Susan-
I love the Batman cape description! That one will stay with me. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

HI, from Illinois midwest section...no snowbirds as yet..r u hogging them in Minnesota? I smelled snow in the air and by now they should be here...is something wiping them out...if anyone in Il has seen them, let me know...