SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

We put out lots of bird seed in the winter for different birds that decide to stop in. Standard birds for this, finches (purple and gold), sparrows, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Doves and prob more I am not thinking of... So today, I was sitting in the house and one of the birds hit the window pretty hard and I saw him fall on the porch. Usually I get them and hold them for a bit and they can recover and fly away. However, today, this guy beat me to the little bird. I was able to grab my camera and get one picture of him in the tree and then as he flew away. Probably mad cause he had to leave his buffet....

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Nice images! Interesting, thanks for sharing this experience. Had the little bird become “lunch” for the hawk, or were you able to rescue it?

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

Thanks Rjaywallace,

Sadly, hawk was flying off with him when I opened the door. He was actually on my porch getting the bird, and probably is why the bird flew into the glass.... I love feeding the little songbirds, can't do much about the predator birds, though, I do chase them away when I know they are out there. They come in on occasion when they find all the diners at one place and easy prey...

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Very nice!

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Nice shots. I had one perch on my bird feeder stand, he got scared away real fast. I too hold the birds when they hit the window and often they come back around. My most memorable save was a little hummingbird. In our case we have picture windows front and back and I think sometimes they get confused and are trying to go through the house to the other side.

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

Woodsman,

Awesome to have saved a hummingbird, they are amazing, tiny and beautiful birds.

He is lucky you saw him so you could help. I think on our window situation they have a slight reflective surface, sunblock I guess, but the birds most likely see the wooded reflection and get confused. I have tried hanging different things on the windows to deflect them but have not found anything that works, they still hit the window. From the number of birds that feed, only a very few fly into the windows. I have thought about feeding them further from the house. But, hawks keep me from doing that. Many of the wild animals that would take advantage of the little birds, will not come so close to our house.

This is a picture of "Woody" just broke my heart when he hit the window. He hit hard and was in pretty bad shape, but after a long while, hubby holding him and keeping him warm, he flew away. I took the pic with my cell phone, it felt like it would be less intrusive and scary for Woody and his dilemma.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Nice save on the Red Bellied Woodpecker. That would have been a heartbreak if he had not made it. One year we were so excited to have a pair of Orioles to watch and I came home one day and found him dead after hitting the patio door. I am still sad about that. I did manage to save a Kingfisher once though. The hummingbird was the best. When I picked him up I thought he was dead but I held him sheltered inside my two hands without putting pressure on him and I eventually felt him move. After awhile he was looking around and when he started to try to stand I put him on a branch and stood there beside him until he flew away. I felt great about that.

My feeders are about 20 feet away from the house. One year we had a flock of starlings, I mean a huge flock, in the back yard and something spooked them and they took off all at once in every direction, hitting the house and windows like a rain storm. They all made it though so they hit with glancing blows or slow speed.

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

es.

Such great stories. When my Great Dane passed away from cancer, a female gray fox started watching us feed the horses as she passed thru the yard. When I noticed she was pregnant, we put out some dry dog food for her. She began to visit and dine twice a day, she would be waiting on my husband to put her food out early in the mornings. She got to where she would let us feed her by throwing food at her feet, usually bologna, which she loved. She would not eat out of our hands but would get close enough to do so. This went on for about 3 years. Then we saw a gray fox dead on the side of the road, fearing it was her mate. I guess it was, because she came around less and less and now we have not seen her for 2 years. I am hopeful that she moved on and found a new mate. I miss our interactions with her, she was beautiful and had such soulful eyes. I have a few pictures of her. A couple of her and mate and one picture of her and her mate and pup. They were all taken thru a window and not very good, but I treasure those memories I have of her.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Wow, I have red fox and have watched them raise a family many times over the last decade. Only a couple of years has there been none. Only once did we have a pair, usually its just the vixen and the kits. We get a lot of fun watching them. I have trail cams out and put kibble out for her in winter and spring. This year we have a pair. Last year we had a vixen with 5 kits and then one night we had a coyote go through and after that only 4 were seen. The next day she moved the kits from a den out in the field behind us to a den that is right here on my property about 150 feet away. They would play and run all over the yard at night. You get to know their traits. One little one has stayed and has the mate this year. We hope for more young this year. Two years ago in June I was in my office and saw two kits out my office window but no adult. Put food out and watched but no adult. THey were orphans. I do not know what made them move into the den by us but they seemed to know where to go for help. With a little food they made it through most of the summer. Then one day in late August I was going to town and out on the main road, about 3 or 4 fields away I saw a dead fox and knew right away it was one of my orphans. It was, but the other made it through and went off to her own territory in the fall I love the fox. The ones this year tease my labrador. In the past they would walk right past me not afraid but anyone else no way.

This year I updated one of my trail cams to one with sound. I put up the trail cam vids on youtube. Heres one of my dog and me out at the trail cam Jan 16. Right after we left the fox came to see if we left any goodies (we didnt). I think she was pissed because you can see and hear her barking on the video

https://youtu.be/uL8XXRJsSoc

Here are some of the young fox last summer on my yard after moving to the den on the property. THese are shot through the door of my home office.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-472815-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-475859-1.html

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

Wow, those shots are awesome! I just love the red foxes. What lens did you use to get those shots? They are beautiful memories. Our little gray fox had two kits one year but the other two years only seen her with one. They move FAST! I will get to watch your video later today. Can't wait.. Thanks for sharing your critter pictures!

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Strangely enough most of the fox shots were taken with my old Canon T3 and the Canon 55-250mm zoom. I found it easier to get the shot I wanted through the window vs using the D7200 and the heavier zooms.

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

Well they are very nice shots. After we would feed Ms Fox as we called her, I would come in thinking how many people go out and feed wild foxes to start their day.

I bought a D750 a few days ago, refurbished one, and will be looking at a zoom lens for it. Gotta do some research~~ My first venture into the full frame camera.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Nice camera, I find the D7200 is a heavy camera a bit too heavy to carrying in the woods for me. The D750 is a good 80 gm heavier. I have a Nikkor 70-300mm VR lens full frame and DX compatible, that lives on the D7200. All my DSLR's usually have a zoom in that range on them as a rule. I have found it perfect for critters and birds. I do have the Sigma C 150-600 which is an outstanding lens but another heavy big monster. Put that on the D7200 and the combination is a weight lifters nightmare. I must be getting old. I use the Canon T3 and 55-250mm a lot because its so light to carry. But it does lack in options and performance of some of the things I want for birds and critters like good high iso performance and a fast large buffer. Good luck with your search. You have a nice camera there to put a good lens on thats for sure.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

I have security cams on the house, not so much for people since I am out in the country, but to see what wildlife is around. The cams caught the fox pair coming up off the lake and then to the feeding area across the yard from my office. Then he sat and guarded while she ate. That just made my night. We have a pair, hopefully babies in the spring.

SheilaG Loc: Central Arkansas

Do your security cams take stills, video or both? That is one thing I have not invested in and should. Last night, I watch coons clean up the seeds the birds did not get and I love to watch them with their little hands and masked face. I know lots of people don't like them, but I love to watch them. They get into everything but they are just trying to survive