Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

This will be the last of the hand feeding bird postings.
At least for awhile. I have to rely on other people to take the pictures and since it often happens in a split second (unless I can stage it) photographers are rarely prepared for the shot. And that's OK with me. Sometimes even I'm completely oblivious that anything is happening such as the first picture where a Chickadee decided to hitch a ride.
In the second image, Raquel was coming out to see when one of my Twins was visiting. The Canada gets quite angry when he has competition but he's no match for the Raccoon. Raquel will place both her front feet on my leg or hand and pat them until a treat comes her way.
In the third picture, I actually have the goose by the lower mandible of his beak. Strangely this calms him down, his wings are again folded and of course he can't hiss.
The last was taken four years ago in Florida where we camped near a bird sanctuary. It took me a whole week to convince this Great White Egret to eat fish strips from my hand but once he got the hang of it, I had him as as a constant visitor. It took my wife a good number of shots before she could get one where the tip of the beak was actually at my finger tips. Needless to say, I love the birds but also the challenge.
I hope I haven't bored you with all this.

Carolina Wings Loc: Flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania

No Joe...you never bore us...I'm absolutely amazed by your rapport with birds and animals!

carlysue Loc: Columbus

Never bored but truly impressed! You are kind of like St. Francis of Assisi... (did not want to say "Snow White", but the animals just seem to flock to you)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The chickadee is my favorite bird (and the official bird of my home state). Love the composition of that one too. I just wrote on another site that I'm often torn between cropping close to show the bird (or other animal) and leaving in pretty scenery or nice composition. Yours has it all.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Hey Carolina, this is your next challenge!!

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Kudos to your wife for taking such great shot! Thanks for all the pictures!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

O.k., Joe. Now let us see just how good you are by doing this with a mountain lion. Lol. Always enjoy your pix!

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thanks a lot Jan. Why people are afraid of birds and animals has always been a mystery to me. I don't believe that any of those species have ever woken up thinking, I'm going to harm six humans today. On the other hand, people have been planning that very thing since time began.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thanks Carly Sue. Oddly enough the 'F' in Joe F N does stand for Francis.
:-D
Animals judge character almost immediately when in the proximity of people. It's amazing.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thank you Linda. Unless you're after a portrait of a bird, you're invariably always better off keeping environment around them. It's very relevant.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thanks Amy.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Haven't seen one of those in my neck of the woods since the Jurassic age.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Alrighty, then!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Joe, these are wonderful! I, too, like to feed animals and birds from my hand and have never had a problem. Keep up the good work!
Sue

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

Thank you Sue. I'm glad you do.