All About Pocket Knives

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 11:21 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 6:35 pm No Snowpeckers today, but I did get a decent look at this Northern Flicker in my yard.

Good looking bird W.K. ... ... reminds me a bit of the Gila woodpecker that is so common here...

They look a heckuva lot alike. I noticed that when we were in Arizona about 5 years ago and saw a Gila going in and out of a nesting cavity in a Saguaro cactus.
That doesn't happen in Illinois!

The Carolina Wren’s are waking up…..must be Spring

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:31 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 11:21 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Feb 28, 2026 6:35 pm No Snowpeckers today, but I did get a decent look at this Northern Flicker in my yard.

Good looking bird W.K. ... ... reminds me a bit of the Gila woodpecker that is so common here...

They look a heckuva lot alike. I noticed that when we were in Arizona about 5 years ago and saw a Gila going in and out of a nesting cavity in a Saguaro cactus.
That doesn't happen in Illinois!

I guess that it harder to nest in a Saguaro up in Illinois, because the Santa hats block the openings to the nesting cavities...

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 2:08 am

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:31 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Mon Mar 02, 2026 11:21 pm

Yeah, an Arizona Christmas Tree can make for an angry Woodpecker!

Spring have sprung, these old boys came by yestiddy looking for some heifers I reckon.

bighomer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:39 pm Spring have sprung, these old boys came by yestiddy looking for some heifers I reckon.

Really nice turkey picture, BH! I also noticed those daffodils (?) In the background. Wow, I am not that far North of you, maybe a couple of hours, and they are barely poking out of the ground here.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 5:42 am

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 2:08 am

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:31 am

Yeah, an Arizona Christmas Tree can make for an angry Woodpecker!

bighomer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:39 pm Spring have sprung, these old boys came by yestiddy looking for some heifers I reckon.

Nice picture BH!

Waukonda wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 10:38 pm

bighomer wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:39 pm Spring have sprung, these old boys came by yestiddy looking for some heifers I reckon.

Really nice turkey picture, BH! I also noticed those daffodils (?) In the background. Wow, I am not that far North of you, maybe a couple of hours, and they are barely poking out of the ground here.

Thanks for the nice comments.
That particular bunch started blooming around the middle of February, I posted a photo of it in the fcd.

bestgear, that is an especially fine photo of the Wren.

Outside my apartment window in Branford, CT this morning

A pair of kildee was checking out the driveway for a nest I reckon, stayed around for about 3 days and finally figured it was to busy for them.

Not much activity here at the feeders today . Went out and knocked off the Ice and scraped out the chunks and refilled. Wasn’t long had customers!

Ripster wrote: ↑Thu Apr 02, 2026 3:52 pm Not much activity here at the feeders today . Went out and knocked off the Ice and scraped out the chunks and refilled. Wasn’t long had customers!

Nothing like defrosting the feeders before filling.

There have been a few migrants passing thru and several species arriving from the South. Have had Red Crossbills, Pine Warblers, Warbling Vireos in addition to others. Had some Rusty Blackbirds in the yard today, they are in rapid decline. It is estimated that their populations are down more than 90% in the last 40 years.

Some birds from around the pond where I walk daily.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 6:22 pm

Ripster wrote: ↑Thu Apr 02, 2026 3:52 pm Not much activity here at the feeders today . Went out and knocked off the Ice and scraped out the chunks and refilled. Wasn’t long had customers!

Nothing like defrosting the feeders before filling.

There have been a few migrants passing thru and several species arriving from the South. Have had Red Crossbills, Pine Warblers, Warbling Vireos in addition to others. Had some Rusty Blackbirds in the yard today, they are in rapid decline. It is estimated that their populations are down more than 90% in the last 40 years.

Great catch. I have seen them here in but I'm rarely.

FRJ wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 11:16 pm Some birds from around the pond where I walk daily.

Nice.

FRJ wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 11:16 pm Some birds from around the pond where I walk daily.

Always enjoy your "pond pics", Joe.

doglegg wrote: ↑Sat Apr 04, 2026 1:45 am Nice.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sat Apr 04, 2026 1:52 am Always enjoy your "pond pics", Joe.

Thanks for the comments, guys.

There sure are some nice pictures looking back.

Since Cattle Egrets are more cooperative subjects than migrating Warblers.....

Beautiful birds.
Great pictures.

bestgear wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2026 1:41 am The Carolina Wren’s are waking up…..must be Spring

A very nice picture, Tom.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2026 3:57 pm Since Cattle Egrets are more cooperative subjects than migrating Warblers.....

I didn't know they made it that far north Ike.

doglegg wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2026 6:16 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Apr 05, 2026 3:57 pm Since Cattle Egrets are more cooperative subjects than migrating Warblers.....

I didn't know they made it that far north Ike.

They have really expanded their territory. I remember seeing them for the first time in the early 70s down in Florida, thinking they were a tropical bird. Now they seem to be in most of the Eastern U.S.

Can’t recall ever seeing cattle egrets here until maybe 15-20 years ago. Now they’re very common anywhere there is grazing livestock. Really funny to see them sitting on the backs of cattle. They also like to show up and feed on displaced insects when I’m cutting hay or mowing pastures.

Took this picture yesterday of recently hatched baby bluebirds in one of the nest boxes. Not sure how many there are but typically five or six since it’s the first brood. At this stage they look like they’re all head! Bluebirds are born naked. Over the next couple of weeks they will become totally feathered out - it’s amazing to watch how quickly their feathers develop.

BTW for those interested here is a link to an interesting article about bird eggs. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/the- ... egg-color/

Ken