Welcome to the first feeder watch! Where birds get free food and you get pictures of them getting it.

The first featured feeder is one of the small, clear, plastic, suction-cupped-to-the-window types. It is located on my parents’ dining room picture window. My parents have long fed their feathered friends and lately my father has been paying much closer attention to what’s visiting the yard. This has led to the inclusion of Barred Owl and Sharp-shinned Hawk to the yard list that he doesn’t keep (get to it Dad!).

No owls or sharpies while I was home for my cousin’s wedding though (Congrats Laura and Nathan!). I just stood next to the window with my camera and snapped shots as Tufted Titmice and Black-capped Chickadees came in for their black-oil sunflower seeds. Dark-eyed Juncos fed on the spilled seeds and White-breasted Nuthatches teased me by almost flying to the feeder and then retreating. I guess they aren’t as bold as the chickadees and titmice.

I was hoping to get a great shot of a bird coming in with its wings fully extended but somehow couldn’t get one to come out without blur. The titmouse below was the best shot I could get before being told to move it or miss the wedding.

Some snobby birders might turn their nose up at mere feeder watching but I love it. How else could one really experience the bulgy eyes of a titmouse? Sure, I love long trips to varied environments but if I hadn’t seen birds coming to my folks’ feeders as a kid would I even bother?

Anyway, here’s one more shot for the road…