Birds, Berries, Boxes, Bernheim & Brrrrr

Birding at Bernheim last weekend found me walking around the wildflower meadow and the many different groves of Crab Apple trees with their bright red berries ripe and ready.

As I made my way back to the front of the meadow, there stands a grove of Crab Apples completely covered in bright red berries ready for the picking. And that's just what this Cedar Waxwing had in mind. And he had no plans for a photo session. Hence, the not so sharp image, as he stopped long enough to hesitate and then take off again. Are they finicky birds? I don't know, as I'm not accustomed to photographing them. Perhaps I should look that up.

Closer to the front of the trees I found a much more compliant photo specimen in this White Throated Sparrow. He actually stayed put for more than a few seconds while I snapped photos. All in all the birds were busy jumping from tree to tree and limb to limb and berry to berry.

Soon the berries will be gone and many of the birds will too. But just in case they should decide to overwinter in Kentucky, there are plenty of bird boxes at Bernheim for them to seek refuge from the harsh winter weather. Speaking of which someone turned on winter today with snow and 32 degrees. Brrrrr. ENJOY!

White Throated Sparrow

It's mid January and I've only had time for a brief two hour visit to Bernheim to grab a quick late lunch and stop by the Overlook Drive. And what should I find on my journey there . . .

a cheerful little White Throated Sparrow perched on a low hanging branch just surveying his surroundings. I was on the prowl to catch a Dark Eyed Junco rummaging amongst the dead Autumn leaves foraging for a bite to eat. There must have been 20 or more in a flock. As one flew a few yards, so would they all. I gave up and quickly snapped a photo of this cutie instead. Then I headed on home . . . a bit too nippy that day to hang out. I only wished I could have gotten a sharper image. ENJOY!