Lets start the new year with birds. 1-3-2014

We still have a pair of cardinals coming to our feeders.  I am having to take the photos through our kitchen window.

Charlie, our kitty is hiding from me behind the plants.  He likes to nibble on them.

With this really cold weather, I went out to put feed in the feeders.  Within an hour mourning doves found a seat on a planter to enjoy the fair.

House finch and a sparrow enjoying the feast.

American Tree Sparrow

And look what else flew into the yard.  The sun was setting and this robin showed up.  I know there are robins in a forest preserve about 4 miles  from our house, So where has this fellow been hiding.  He did not stop at the feeder, just sat on the branch above it.
What a great start for the new year.

The last of the birds of 2013

American Tree Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Sparrow

Is it possible these are eagles nests?

We are thinking we may have found eagles nests down by the river.

Female Cardinal.

Cooper Hawk having a tasty meal in our backyard.

The Coopers Hawk does come through our yard on a regular basis looking for mourning doves.

Coopers Hawk

After he finished his meal, he flew into the tree in our back yard.  He was just on the other side of the tree trunk.  It was like he was watching us.

"Should I go back and have more?"

He stayed in the tree for at least 10 minutes while I watched.

Backyard 12-29-2013

American Tree Sparrow
They have a bright reddish-brown crown, a gray face with a bright reddish-brown eyeline, broken white eye-ring. They have a two tone bill, a pale gray breast and belly; warm buffy flanks' dark blurry central breast spot. Their wings and back are reddish brown with 2 white wingbars.

House Sparrow
They have a black bill and chin and bib contrasting with grayish cheek and underparts. They have a dark gray crown.

Cardinal, male

Love it when they have their crown feathers up.