After observing this scene several times since I posted it the last time, I've come to the conclusion that Bird just likes hanging with Whipper. I wasn't quick enough with the camera yesterday. Bird pecked the ground between Whipper's front and hind legs. It was only when he pecked his body that Whipper reacted. He swung his head at Bird with a show of teeth. Don't blame him. I've been pecked by chickens and it can really hurt. That's as far as it went. Bird left, and Whipper resumed his doze.
Bird is also warming up to me. Especially since he learned I'm the keeper of the bird seed. He forages under the bird feeder for dropped sunflower seeds. I began giving some just to him, and now he's liking me a little better. He's even coming up on the porch when I'm out there. I picked up a bag of the cheap mixed/cracked corn bird seed I used to feed my flock of chickens. Pickings are getting slimmer now that we've had a few good frosts, so I'll supplement his grazing with the bird seed.
The next shot is a rare capture.
This is an Eastern Towhee (previously called Rufus-Sided Towhee). I see them now and then under feeders, and this is the first time I've caught it on film. This was taken at full zoom through the window so not as clear as I'd wish. They're secretive ground feeders, and prefer forest floor where they forage for seeds and insects. They have a unique method that's very chicken-like. They scratch and hop back to see what they uncovered.
Our first frost on 10/26 was actually first freeze. It went down to 23F that night. That and the lack of rain hurt the fall color show. Usually a light frost or two gets leaves turning, but a freeze will kill them before that can happen. The crape myrtles went immediately to dull brown dead leaves instead of the pretty pastels they usually give. Then the first hard fall wind last weekend blew most of the leaves off everything. So disappointing fall color around here this year.
tnt
Natureschild
