[Mnbird] Prior Lake Sightings Happy and Sad

[Roger Schmidt]

After 15 years of sitting on my deck watching the birds I had given up the prospect of ever seeing a Red-breasted Nuthatch on the deck. What a surprise when a pair arrived 3 days ago. They've discovered the suet and they are now counted among the usual suspects…..almost. I don't know if they'll stick around or not but what a pleasure to have one on the home turf!  The only place I've ever seen them is Crex Meadows.

Here's a link to a photo I took. Click on the small pic to see the larger. I have a few albums of bird pics, feel free to browse.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7d_ef/albums/72157684364849180

Moving on to yet another stranger near the deck. An Oven Bird. Another first time ever here at home. We spent a week watching it feed on the ground. The weather was poor so I never did get a pic. However, this happy sighting has a rather sad ending. Going out to get the mail one day, As I stepped off the front step I noticed laying in the rocks under the kitchen window our little Oven Bird we'd been watching for days. We only observed one and I assume it's the same one. A window strike I'm afraid. Our kitchen window seldom if ever has had a strike. I suspect a Cooper that frequents the front yard. Hmmmm….of all the birds in our yard this one little OB, we so enjoyed watching, had to be the one to perish.

I have to end the post on a happy note.

This morning I watched a baby cardinal play in the snow on the deck. It was so cute I could hardly stand it. It would kick the snow from side to side with it's beak, jump up, flap it's wings and shake it out. It was like it was taking a bath in the snow. Maybe it was. All the years I've watched birds I've never seen anything like it. It made me smile and that's not a bad way to start a day!

Rog~