Weekend Birding: Small Signs of Spring
This is our worst spring in 50 years and winter isn’t going to release its icy grip any time soon. Snow, yes, snow is predicted for Sunday. And although winter continues to linger, small signs of spring are all around us.
Robins are walking
Robins are beginning to leave their winter flocks and are searching for nesting sites. Several have been scoping out my backyard. While I was out walking yesterday there were lots of them walking around, all eager to pose for a photo.
Robins are one of my favorite subjects and a good bird to practice nature photography. They are very approachable and will pose so shots usually are in focus. This guy was even willing to do a little chirping for me.
Goldfinch molting
The goldfinches have begun their spring molt and are getting their summer plumage.
The males make a dramatic change losing their drab greenish color and turning a brilliant yellow. In a couple of weeks this male should have all his new feathers.
Song Sparrow singing
On my walk yesterday I could hear cardinals, blackbirds and even woodpeckers making sounds, something that has been missing all winter.
As I walked along the marshy area I could hear a very vocal Song Sparrow. This is one of my favorite sparrows and can be found throughout North America. I spotted one in my backyard this morning. He wasn’t singing though, just eating sunflower seeds.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
It’s been bitter cold here these past few mornings also. My yard is still full of Dark-eyed Juncos, which are winter birds here, but I finally saw a few Robins on Tuesday.
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Hello you gorgeous little birds you! I want SPRING! 😀 Don’t we all?
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I hear a few chirps now and then but spring is not here as yet, so …….
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You are featuring some of my favorites today! Love the colors…and thanks for sharing. Enjoy your weekend.
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Once again a lovely walk. I am now looking at my bird painting (that I did) an wondering if I’ve mutated a species or two with my “creative” license. I’ll have to get a birding book. thanks Leslie. and thanks for the info on how to get started.
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Wonderful sights of spring. I was fortunate too to have caught sight of flocks of Bohemian Waxwings, posted on my Sat. Snapshot.
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We had a very mild winter, until March. March has been our coldest month, which is very odd. I think the geese who nested in our neighborhood are back – I hope we’ll see goslings again this year.
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Seeing birds out and about is a sure sign of spring! Such pretty pictures…
Here’s my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT post.
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It doesn’t look like spring here, either, but I’m definitely hearing more and more bird sounds every morning. Beautiful photos!
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More snow? Oh, no!
Beautiful bird shots, as usual!
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Can’t believe you captures all these already. STill more snow forecast here.
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Amazing photography! I’m very impressed.
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Even though we had another 9.5 inches of snow on Tuesday, I hear more birds singing every day. My husband said the red winged blackbirds have arrived in the wetlands area next to his school. I’m still waiting for my crocuses to come up!!
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Lovely photos as always. I hope you get your spring soon.
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Sweet birdies! We’ve been getting a lot more visitors to the feeders lately, so I know spring is here — even if we have snow.
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Fabulous photos again. I’ watched robins a couple of times recently – such lovely chirpy, cheeky little birds. No Snapshot from me this week, because I only got back from Mum’s yesterday, but I like to see what everyone is doing!
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